"Having Coach Jena is a privilege we could never have anticipated. As parents, it means so much to have someone like Jena investing in our young people - they need good humans, role models, and adults who truly care. Jena embodies all of this and so much more thanks to both her expertise and experience in the sport. Jena's approach is truly holistic and we feel incredibly lucky she has stepped into that role so wholeheartedly, going far beyond what is asked of her. Coach Jena's impact is deeply felt, and her ability to connect with and inspire teenagers is a rare gift. We are truly grateful."
-Rachel C.
“Jena has coached my daughter for 2 years in cross country and as a distance runner in track and field. As a trainer, Jena is knowledgeable, experienced, engaged and attentive to my daughter's specific needs (in addition to the specific needs of all of her athletes). She is available, seemingly always. After a relatively short period of time, she was able to grasp what my daughter needs to improve, optimize, and maximize her nutrition, strength, speed and endurance. She has written and rewritten athlete-specific training plans based on my daughter's progression for literally hundreds of workouts that are specific to a day, week, month, season, and off-season, giving personalized feedback on almost every workout. Jena knows when the athletes need to push harder, and when they need to back off to avoid overtraining and burnout. In short, she is an invaluable resource for ALL of the technical and physiological aspects of running. No less important, on race day and at practice, she is a motivator and knows what a specific athlete needs to perform at their best. I have seen her give gentle encouragement, and I have also seen her give "tough love" when necessary.
Despite Jena's masterful grasp of what a high-school athlete needs to optimize performance, her greatest strength may be as a human being and mentor. When needed, she is a friend, therapist, and confidant. She seems to always know if my daughter needs a hug after a tough race, if she needs a proverbial kick in the pants, or something in between. Jena is able to push my daughter in ways that no other coach has been able to do, and has brought the best out of her, and more importantly, given her the tools she needs to grow and mature from an adolescent to a confident young woman. She has also emphasized a balanced life, a metaphorical house with many rooms, and this balance has also been a key factor in my daughter’s confidence, outlook, and success. It is rare to find a coach so dedicated to a single sport, but also dedicated to ensuring her athletes have a balanced life outside of that sport. My daughter has learned from Jena the value of sportsmanship, leadership, hard work, and dedication. These are attributes that will enrich her life experience, and the experience of those with whom she interacts in all areas of her life, long after her running career has ended.
I have personally encountered many coaches in my own athletic journey, in addition to observing coaches of both of my daughters in a multitude of sports and activities. Of all of them, Jena is unquestionably the best. She exudes confidence, kindness, empathy, compassion, toughness, and doesn't let young people settle for less than the best life has to offer not just in their running, but in all areas of their life; personally, athletically, and academically. I felt so strongly about this that I asked Jena to privately coach my daughter, not just because of the immeasurable benefits to her running, but the immeasurable benefits to her life. I have a feeling that Jena will be the single most influential coach or teacher my daughter encounters in her high school career, and probably beyond. Those of us who have had the good fortune to encounter someone in our young life who helped us feel strong and confident, and helped us navigate the quagmire that is adolescence and high school know how life-altering it can be. Jena is one of those people. I am extremely grateful for Jena’s role in my daughter’s life, and for her role in the life of all of the athletes she coaches.”