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Courtney Nix didn't let disappointment get her down.
Not making the U.S. jump rope team two years ago after a tryout in Colorado served as motivation instead of heartbreak.
Nix, 16, a junior at Brighton High School, dedicated herself to
jumping rope more than ever. The work paid off with a berth on the U.S.
team that is heading to South Africa this summer for international
competition.
She finished ninth overall at tryouts in Ohio in January, with her
combined scores in 1-minute and 3-minute speed, triple-unders and
singles freestyle.
"Not making it last time made me realize I had a lot to work on. I
wanted to get there (on the team) and I said I would work harder," she
recalled.
Her mom, Renee Nix, the coach of the Brighton-based Jumpin'
All-stars, saw her daughter's focus intensify in the last year. Renee's
son, Brent, made the U.S. team two years ago that competed in Toronto.
"She was determined not to give up, she really wanted to be on the
U.S. team," Renee Nix said. "She trained. She trained really hard."
Courtney Nix, who runs cross country for the Bulldogs, is also
gearing up for nationals June 26 in Orlando. She will work out with the
Cincinnati Comet Skippers prior to leaving for South Africa.
The trip has also turned into more than just the competition. After
the event, Renee and Courtney Nix will travel to George, South Africa,
to work with Chris DeTombe, a former pastor from Howell who is involved in missionary work in the country.
Renee and Courtney Nix will teach local children the sport of jump
rope and help feed 1,500 people. They will be gone from July 20 to
August 7.
"She's always wanted to go on a mission trip. Now, she gets to do
both," Renee Nix said of her daughter. "It is neat because we get to
work with somebody from home. We can't image going from this lifestyle
to that."
Courtney Nix admitted to being hesitant about visiting Africa, but she's warming up to the idea.
"My friends are getting me all hyped up about it. I don't get to meet a new culture every day," she said.
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National winners and a few have qualified to be on the 2008 U.S. Jump Rope Team.