Jacklyn Abrams has always been a fast starter. How else do you explain a 16-year-old high school student cheerleading for a professional sports team?
“My high school stunt coach told me I would do really well cheering for the Colorado Rapids [Major League Soccer team],” says Abrams. “I was like, ‘But I’m only 16’. But I tried out and they loved me. The next youngest cheerleader was 22, so I was the youngest by far.”
Abrams ended up working with the Rapids cheer team for three years. It was during that time that she found her other passion – weight training.
“I took a strength and conditioning class all the way through high school,” Abrams said. “Even after high school I was still working out like five times a week.”
That eventually led her to fitness competitions, where she eventually hooked up with 1997 Fitness Olympia Carol Marzetta. So far, in less than a year of competing, Abrams has won the overall at both of her fitness competitions.
She’ll look to continue that streak – and get a pro card in the process – at this weekend’s Junior USAs.
AGE: 23
HEIGHT: 5’1
CONTEST WEIGHT: 107
LIVES:
Parker, Colorado
CONTEST HISTORY: 2011: Colorado State Championships, 1st Fitness Short Class and Overall; 2012: Emerald Cup Overall Fitness; 1st Mixed Pairs Bodybuilding
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND: Tennis, rugby, volleyball, cheerleading. Professional cheerleader with Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer
OCCUPATION: Fitness competitor
ROLE MODELS/INFLUENCES: My coach, Carol Semple who won the first Fitness Olympia in 1997.
PIECE OF EQUIPMENT MY GYM MUST HAVE: Free weights.
FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: “Train insane or remain the same.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Junior USAs this weekend
