Laura Jensen

Class of 1993

Tennis, Soccer, & Swimming

Inducted: 2001

Aside from the countless hours playing in her neighborhood, Laura Jenson's athletic career begin with cap League Baseball at the age of six or seven. Idolizing her brother, who played baseball for Long Branch High School, Ms. Johnson wanted the same for herself. Her career progressed from cap leagues, a little league, and onto the Babe Ruth team.

Miss Jensen’s love of sports was not able to flourish until she reach Middle School. In 7th grade she joined both the track and soccer teams. Due to her enjoyment of the activity and structure of team sports, she added basketball, which filled the entire school year with sports.

In high-school Laura distinguish herself as a three-time captain of the swim team, two-time captain of the soccer team and one time captain of the tennis team. In addition to winning 12 Varsity letters, Laura was the swim team’s high point scorer for her junior and senior years. Ms. Jensen broke four school winning time records, was voted “ outstanding swimmer”, twice qualified for the NJSIAA state swimming championships, and made third team All-Shore. In addition Laura graduated fourth in her class and was vice president of the National Honor Society.

Ending her high school sports career with many successes, achievements and a love for sports, Ms. Jensen contemplated swimming or playing soccer in college, but decided against both of them. During high school she noticed that as much as she loved and look forward to a sport, by the end of that season she couldn't wait for that support to end. The “ full year for one sport” mentality of College athletics was not appealing. Despite her reservations, she decided to try crew.

The Rutgers women's crew team was different than any sport Laura had participated in. Success in this sport let her to receive training from Olympic coaches and a prestigious two week training program in Florida. Ms. Jensen remembers it as one of the hardest and memorable experiences of her life.

Laura Jensen is still involved in sports. In addition to athletic hobbies and recreational leagues she participates in, she has begun coaching young athletes.