'She was willing to try': Reflecting on raising Olympic medalist Jessica Parratto

DOVER — It seemed like a longshot at the time, but Jessica Parratto showed such promise at an early age that former Dover High School swim coach Linda Long could envision a scenario that played out Tuesday when the Dover native was honored by the city as an Olympic medalist.

“She was probably 9 years old, and we were at the Jenny Thompson Pool and she was supposed to be practicing her dives with her mother,” Long said. “She was giving her mother a hard time, but when she did do it she was so good. I remember turning to her mother and saying, ‘I want to see that girl in the Olympics someday.’ And we just laughed.”

'Absolutely worth it':Olympian Jessica Parratto feels the love from her hometown of Dover

Turns out it was no joke as the Dover native grew up to become a two-time Olympian who won a silver medal with partner Delaney Schnell at the Tokyo Games on July 27 in 10-meter platform synchronized diving. She also qualified for the 2016 Games in Brazil.

“I think given her gymnastics background, which is helpful, and just her personality and her fearlessness, she was willing to get up there and try it,” Long said. “She always had a confidence about herself and a willingness to try things. She never swam much in practice, and she got in and swam the hundred 'fly, which is not an easy event to start with, and took fourth at the state meet. That’s pretty good. She’s got a lot of natural talent.”

And talent usually attracts attention.

'It feels like a dream':Dover diver Jessica Parratto going to second Olympics in Tokyo

“Not only the Parrattos saw the potential, but USA Diving saw the potential, so they gave her the opportunity to move out to the Midwest,” Long said. “I was sad to see the Parrattos leave. Jessica went out on her own initially. ... If I remember correctly she had to get invited to that, you can’t just go.”

It wasn’t an easy transition for the young prodigy, who left for Indiana after her freshman year at Dover High with no guarantees.

“I didn’t think I’d be one of those little athletes that moved, you know, for their sport,” Parratto said after Tuesday’s ceremony. “I wasn’t really keen on the idea of home-schooling or anything. But something told me inside that this was the right move for me, and I kind of had this thought in my head that you’ll never know how good you’re going to be if you don’t take this opportunity, so that’s kind of where my mind was at. Obviously it was very, very hard to leave. I never thought I’d be someone to leave my hometown. So to come back and see everyone’s support means the world to me.”

Growing up a Dover girl

Jessica Parratto was inspired by Jenny Thompson, one of the most decorated female Olympians of all time who was coached by Jessica’s dad, Mike, who founded the Dover-based Seacoast Swimming Association.

Now young girls are looking up to her as evidenced by Tuesday’s turnout of about 250.

“I really can’t even comprehend that honestly,” Parratto said. “Just remembering when I was a little girl and watching Jenny Thompson. She was just so inspiring to me. So to see all these little girls here, I hope this inspires them the way Jenny inspired me.”

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“I know it’s important to her that she can be an inspiration to other kids, which is why she really liked that the public was invited to this and she got to interact with the kids, too,” Long said. “She wants them to see, if you want it, go for it. She doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, but she is very gracious when she is.”

The event took place at the Rotary Arts Pavilion at Henry Law Park in front of an enthusiastic gathering. Many lined up for treasured photos with the accommodating Olympic medalist.

“It’s really cool to see everyone show up and be as supportive as they have,” Parratto said. “It’s hard not to be emotional about it. I’m trying really hard not to be. I want everyone to know how much they mean to me because I just wouldn’t be where I am today without any of them. I love this city so much. It’s my home.

“I’m a Dover girl,” she added, “and I do hate to leave it.”

Making ends meet while training

Because the Olympics had to be postponed for a year because of the pandemic, Parratto took a part-time job as a nanny to make ends meet despite her rigid training schedule. She worked several hours three days a week after practice.

“That was the most difficult part of this, especially the last two years,” she said. “I haven’t really had much funding especially in a non-revenue sport like diving so that’s why I picked up nannying. I was determined to make this dream possible. I had to do what I had to do to make some money and still be able to train.”

Focusing on Paris

Parratto is considering making a run for the 2024 Games in Paris. If she changes her mind, she can always fall back on her degree in sports media from Indiana University.

“My plans are continuing to dive and then we’ll see after that,” she said. “My career hopefully will be in sports media, more like behind-the-scenes type stuff, not really on camera but kind of like event planning and coordinating, that’s kind of where my passions are at.”

Surprise Fenway pitch

Parratto was thrown a curveball last Sunday when she found out she would be throwing a ceremonial first pitch before the Red Sox game along with Michael Hixon from the men’s side.

“It was awesome,” she said. “I actually didn’t know I was going to throw out the first pitch. I was pleasantly surprised. I was practicing before, I was so nervous, but me and Mike got to throw at the same time which was awesome.”