Athlete of the Week: Jada Duncan wins two events at section swim meet

Multiple high schools had various athletes compete with a chance to win medals and qualify for the state championships at the Sac-Joaquin Section swimming finals last Friday in Elk Grove. Whitney High sophomore Jada Duncan competed for the second straight season and took gold in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly races. Duncan swam the 50-yard freestyle in 23 seconds flat and finished at 53.38 seconds in the 100-yard butterfly. Despite qualifying for state, Duncan will not attend because she will be competing in the TYR Pro Series in Mission Viejo to try and pick up some Olympic Trials cuts. Gold Country Media asked Duncan some questions and her answers follow. What is the best part about swimming at Whitney High? Duncan: "The best part about swimming at Whitney High is knowing who I swim with in and out of the pool and having an amazing and accepting coaching staff." How long have you been swimming competitively and who/what is your biggest motivation? Duncan: "I have been swimming competitively since I was 6, so about 10 years. Swimming with my friends has really kept me moving and doing my sport. They give me the encouragement and extra push that I have needed to be successful." Have any family members been involved with sports? Duncan: "My family is a very athletic group. We have all kinds of sports that have been played in my household such as, of course, swimming, basketball, softball, soccer, ice skating, gymnastics, baseball, golf, football, etc." You won the section title in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly. How exciting is it to come away with two gold medals and what do you feel contributed to your success in each race? Duncan: "It was very exciting to come out of Sections with two gold medals because it just means that my hard work in the pool and mental push outside of the pool is paying off and there is so much more to come." Have you ever been involved in other sports? Duncan: "I have been involved in many other land sports such as basketball, gymnastics, softball and soccer. But swimming just stuck to me." Do you have a favorite professional athlete? If so, who and why? Duncan: "My favorite professional athlete is Serena Williams. Her story of becoming one of the best tennis players is so fascinating and I think she is the definition of anything is possible if you put your mind to it and stick with it." What has been your favorite class in school and why? Duncan: "My favorite class in school is definitely AP psychology since I am taking the class with my two sisters. It is very fun to show up at the end of a school day and have a good laugh while also learning some new things." Who is your favorite musical artist/band? Duncan: "My favorite musical artist is definitely Stephen Sanchez. His music is so catchy and I love the fact that me and my friend, Melanie Quinto, can sing his music for hours." Favorite restaurant and favorite food? Duncan: "My favorite restaurant is Urban Rolls. Their spring rolls and bao buns are so good. My favorite food changes between pasta, spring rolls or rice with seaweed." Outside of school and swimming, what do you like to do in your free time? Duncan: "In my free time, I spend most of my time hanging out with my friends, sleeping or hanging out with my cat, Kevin." Is there a particular job you'd like to have someday? Duncan: "I would love to work in the medical field like my mom. I aspire to be like her and pursue a nursing job or be a pediatrician." If you had a piece of advice for other local athletes, what would you tell them? Duncan: "Think like a bumble bee, train like a racehorse."