Vore Ready to Continue Family Traditions and Pave a Path at Michigan
10/12/2021 10:45:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics, Features
By Conor Stemme
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Two things were ever-present when freshman Jacey Vore was growing up -- gymnastics and the University of Michigan. Vore started gymnastics at a very young age and was surrounded by all things Michigan as her parents are both graduates of the university.
Vore started gymnastics at the age of two after going to her brother's fifth birthday at a gymnastics facility, and she instantly fell in love with gymnastics as it gave her an outlet for her energy. Vore initially started with her mom as her coach doing Mommy and Me classes, then began the competitive gymnastics track progressing through the levels. She entered Level 10 in seventh grade and had a huge realization after suffering a stress fracture making her unable to compete that year.
"I realized that gymnastics isn't all about the sport itself. It's more about why you're doing it," Vore said. "I recognized the fact that I love my teammates, my coaches, and the fact that gymnastics allows you to challenge yourself every day and work towards new goals."
With this new mindset, Vore established herself as a rising star, and a few years later accomplished something special, placing first in the all-around at Junior Olympic Nationals in 2019 as a sophomore in high school, Sge also finished second in the all-around at the Nastia Liukin Cup the following year.
Halfway through her junior year, Vore reopened her recruiting after a coaching change and Michigan was one of the schools to reach out. She immediately was interested as her parents met at Michigan in the School of Public Health graduate program, meaning Vore grew up a huge Michigan fan and knew the fight song at just 3 years old.
"We have Michigan stuff everywhere in the basement from blankets to little bears, every corner there's something Michigan," she said. "So, I was super excited whenever they reached out."
Due to reopening her recruiting process in the heat of COVID-19, she was unable to have a normal recruiting visit to campus but was not disappointed by it. Vore had already visited Ann Arbor with her parents, many times attending a few football games, including her first one 10 years before her first game as a student. She also participated in a few Region Five camps and had many FaceTime calls with the coaches during the process. Vore committed to Michigan just before her senior year.
The Vore family at Michigan Stadium (clockwise from top-left): Father Jason, mother Connie, brother Jon, and Jacey.
While at Michigan, Vore has three main goals. First to figure out what she wants to do after college. She is considering sport management after talking with teammate Abby Brenner, but is still undecided and learning about the plethora of options that Michigan has to offer. No matter what major she pursues, Vore's second goal is to earn a 4.0 grade point average. School has always been an important part of her life, and Vore does not what college to be any different. Finally, she hopes to help the team win another national championship and make the most of the four years she has here both as a student and as a gymnast.
"I know that college gymnastics is super fun and it's a once in a lifetime experience, so I want to enjoy every moment and do the best that I can," Vore said. "I told myself when I came here that I'm going to give these four years everything that I have, and don't want to look back with any regrets."
Players Mentioned
