Jess Savner, née Davis, battled her way on to her first Olympic team by placing fourth at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile last October. The modern pentathlon is a five-sport event created by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, and comprising fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting and running.
As a child, Jess competed in equestrian eventing, in which a horse and rider compete in three disciplines: dressage, cross-country and show jumping; in that, she followed in the footsteps of her mother, a professional eventer. In high school, Jess took up pole vaulting, an event she continued while on the track and field team at Central Connecticut State University.
Upon graduation, she took part in triathlons – her father competed in the Kona Ironman – before finally turning to the modern pentathlon. The NYAC’s powerful fencing program has been influential to the point that Jess now counts that sport, rather than equestrianism, as her strongest. She may be right; in July 2023, she won the national Division 1A épée title, which is one level below elite. Other accolades include the 2023 US national title and a 35th place finish at the 2021 World Modern Pentathlon Championships.
Paris Result:
28th place, 1310 points; Eliminated in semi-finals.