ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Jordin Ferguson

How did you get involved in weightlifting?

The team for the school — my freshman year — they wanted me to try it, and I didn’t know if I wanted to. My dad’s a bodybuilder, and I do that with him and compete with that. Once I got on the actual team, I loved it. The girls really were motivating. Learning how strong you can be, especially as a female, it’s really cool walking around school with other females (saying), “Oh, I want to be strong like you,” or guys (saying), “I’m afraid of you” and stuff. It’s really cool, and I think my favorite part about it is not just lifting but the bond you get and being able to do something better than a guy.

Had you been into a lifting regimen before high school then?

A little bit — nothing serious, but toward the end of my freshman year is when I started getting really serious about bodybuilding, so I started lifting on my own. But never strength training.

Have you been at this weight class the whole time?

My freshman year I was only 119 (pounds), last year 129 and now 139. Most girls will stay in the same weight class all through high school, because not many of them get bigger. But because of the bodybuilding I want to get more muscular and grow, so it makes me heavier.

Do you have a favorite type of lift?

If it has to be for what we compete in, it’d have to be the clean-and-jerk, but more specifically the jerk. For me, cleans are a struggle, but jerking is cool: throwing it above your head, you can feel your core muscles and your back muscles. But my favorite body part or muscle group to exercise would be the back and shoulders.

Do you prefer lifting with music?

I always lift with music. At practice, it’s different because we’re all talking, but music is a must. When I’m at home, especially, music is 100% have-to. At a weightlifting meet, I have headphones in the whole time and am dancing. People ware looking at me like I’m crazy and I’m singing to myself. That’s how I calm down and collect my thoughts, I guess. It’s the same song on repeat. It’s called “Bang My Head,” by David Guetta and Sia. In the song, one of the lyrics is like, “I felt lightheaded and I should have fallen, but I got back up.” So basically she’s saying, “When I should have been at my worst, I was at my best.” It helps me get ready.

What are some hobbies when you’re not so busy?

I love football. Growing up, I always played with my brothers and their friends. I do the girls’ flag football, too, here. One of my things is with my dad we’d always play catch or run routes or just play football. I guess athletic training, like sports medicine, helping out with football or whatever sport I’m assigned to — I like helping athletes.

Is that something you’re interested in pursuing?

Yeah, I want to major in sports medicine, and then I’m going to minor in nutrition, because with bodybuilding and how the body works, it’s a lot more than meatheads. Actually, it’s a lot of science behind it, because you have to actually know what muscle you’re doing. With the sports medicine, being an athlete and knowing how the body works I always thought was cool, so as a job, I just love that.  

What is dual enrollment here and at Valencia College like?

I technically don’t have to come here at all. I only come here for practice, sports and stuff, because I only need three more credits to graduate. But the way I set it up is I’m going to get my (associate) degree and my high-school diploma at the same time, so when I go to college, I can start my major right away.

What would you have for your dream meal?

My favorite food — I love any kind of steak or meaty meat. Chicken I eat because it’s lean and I have to, but I would get a pork sandwich with onions and mushrooms and a special sauce with mashed potatoes. And then as a side dish, I would get little short ribs — I don’t know if that’s a side dish, but I would get that. (laughs) And then dessert is probably anything with Nutella. I’d make up my own gourmet donut: The cream would be Nutella-flavored, with peanut butter, in a sandwich with chocolate on top. I probably would throw up after eating it. (laughs)

Are you more outgoing or a homebody?

Oh, definitely out and about. Sitting still is not easy for me. Moving around is a must; same with my parents. Even if I’m home, I’m moving around. I’m always going somewhere, and it’s not like I’m going to parties and stuff — I’m really ‘bad’ at being a teenager. Most kids want to go out on a Friday night; I’m at the gym or doing homework or studying for a test. I love being outside. Sometimes when it’s nice weather, I just walk around, like a little park by Apopka-Vineland has a lot of trees — it’s nice.

– Zak Kerr