It isn’t often that a passion is so intense that it takes you far beyond the borders of your own country, but for 12-year-old Sienna Jibben, that is exactly where her passion is taking her.
Since the age of three, Sienna has had a passion and a talent for tumbling, but not just any tumbling, power tumbling. Unlike what most people think of when they hear tumbling, power tumbling takes this most basic gymnastics skill to a different, intense level. In fact, gravity-defying power tumbling and trampoline, or T&T, aren’t considered gymnastics the way most define the sport. Unlike traditional gymnastics or “artistic gymnastics,” which usually incorporates a floor routine, balance beam, uneven bars and vault, power T&T uses an entirely different set of equipment, and involves one long single floor routine.
At three years old, Sienna’s mother, Tonya, enrolled her in a T&T class to help get some energy out, but quickly realized that she had a talent beyond her years. “We started her in a T&T recreation class, and they eventually wanted her on their team, but she was only three,” her mom said. Sienna stayed in the rec class until she was the ripe old age of eight, and then went on to join the team. Power tumbling skills are ranked by levels. Sienna started at a level 5 and quickly moved up the ranks, even skipping a level, to the youth elite team.
fter moving to North Carolina two years ago with her family, Sienna was excited to find a T&T team to join, but found that it was somewhat new to this area. Sienna found a home at Sonshine gymnastics. At the time, Sonshine had just established its T&T team so Sienna was able to get in from the very beginning. “She enjoyed seeing the different artistic gymnastics at Sonshine, since she didn’t get to see much of that before,” Tonya said.
In the summer of 2018, Sienna’s power tumbling world was taken up a notch when she was notified that she had been selected by USA Gymnastics to compete and represent the USA in the World Age Group Power Tumbling competition in Russia. USA Gymnastics only picks four athletes in each age group to participate in the competition, and at 12 years old, Sienna is in the youngest age group. Sienna and her parents will travel to Saint Petersburg, Russia in November, where she and her teammates will compete with teams from around the globe.
Once she arrives in Russia, Sienna will practice for two days before the competition begins. She will travel with her USA team, room with USA teammates and spend her time preparing for the competition. For mom Tonya, this will be a bit of an adjustment, “It’s going to be a little hard to not be with her all the time, but she will have a great time with her team,” she said.
As a high-energy, outgoing 12 year old girl, Sienna has dreamed of this opportunity for a long time. She has worked hard and is seeing her dreams come true right before her eyes. As parents, Tonya said she and her husband are “so humble and proud of her for a lot of different reasons. We are proud of all that this sport has taught her about sportsmanship and passion and discipline. We are proud of everything she has learned as a person and how she has continued to stay humble and grounded.”
Sienna has her sights set on Russia and the World Age competition. After that, the she hopes to continue her tumbling into her college years and beyond. If her past and continued success is any indication, there is no doubt that Sienna will be tumbling into the hearts of the T&T community for years to come. Good Luck in Russia, Sienna! Holly Springs is cheering for you and wishing you much continued success.
