West Point, New York - Sgt. Jessica Brennon, originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, is one of 15 female Army athletes competing at the 2014 U.S. Army Warrior Trials, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York.
More than 100 wounded, ill and injured service members and Veterans from across the United States are at West Point to compete in the 2014 U.S. Army Warrior Trials, June 15-20. The event is hosted by the Warrior Transition Command, and the Army Warrior Trials and highlights athletes from the Army, Marines and Air Force facing off in archery, basketball, cycling, track and field, swimming, shooting, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball. Participants in the trials include athletes with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairment, serious illnesses and amputations. Army athletes are competing for a spot on Team Army to go to the Warrior Games in Colorado this fall.
"The Warrior Trial staff and coaches have been awesome and supportive during our time here. West Point is a pretty area, but we've had a busy schedule," said Brennan as she was gearing up for her last day of cycling practice. In 2010, she was involved in a car accident in Germany, which caused a lower spine injury.
This is Brennon's first time training for the Warrior Games. Sgt. Brennon is competing in all the sports, with swimming being her favorite. She likes to consider herself "a fish in the water that is very competitive." "My goal is to make it to the Warrior Games. I hope to place first, second or third in every event I compete in and to win the ultimate cup."
Brennon is currently stationed at the Warrior Transition Unit, Fort Gordon, Georgia. "I have never had so much positive feedback since being assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit," she said.
Two huge supporters in Brennon's life are her social worker and her daughter. "My social worker (Mr. Dayton), pretty much saved my life. He got me the help needed, and encouraged me to get into the adaptive reconditioning program. He's the reason I am here today at the Army Warrior Trials."
Her daughter, who is her "mini me," also plays a huge role in her recovery process and training. They train in karate and mixed martial arts together. "She helps with my archery training and gets my arrows off the targets. She likes to ride around with me when I'm riding my bike."
Brennon is used to working with other service members and has deployed with the Marines. When asked what it's like to train with other service members, she replied "I enjoy getting to work with and know the other services and their service members."
To anyone who is about to start their recovery process, already in recovery or wants to train for the Warrior Games, Sgt. Brennan wants them to remember to "never give up."
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