In some ways it’s hard to imagine that Nina Jiang, a fourth-place finisher in the recent U.S. figure skating competition, is 11 years old. Physically, she ’s tiny enough to pass for someone younger. Yet, she has the athletic strength and skills of the bigger girls.  

It’s easy to be fooled by her age and size because philosophically she is decades old. And her exuberant smile coupled with her charm and intellect just happens to draw you in even before she steps on the ice.  

Nina was only 4 when she first learned to skate in group classes—immediately trying jumps and wanting to skate faster and faster. By age 6, she began to “understand” what it took to be a devoted athlete. She explained her philosophy by saying, “In skating, whenever I perform or compete, I am dependent upon just myself,” she said. “But when you are on a team, everyone takes it. When it’s just me, I have to take it all, the good and the bad.”

Nina understands the sport of figure skating; but more importantly, she understands herself. She said she skates six days a week and loves it, loves the feel of going fast and the wind in her face.  

Nina is wise beyond her years when it comes to understanding herself as a competitive athlete.

“Once in awhile my mind is elsewhere. This doesn’t happen very often, but when I’m skating I might be worrying about something else. I might not be entirely focused. But most of the time I am. ”

Nina took fourth place in the novice division at Nationals in January. The competition featured 250 skaters competing for national titles in the senior, junior and novice divisions. The U.S. Championship was eight days of Olympic-style competition, culminating with the selection of the U.S. World team.

Nina’s take on her own performance was that it was, “disappointing but, definitely a good experience for me,” she said. “I want to come back next season faster and stronger with more tricks, and confidence. ”

Nina has her eye on medaling in the 2014 Olympics, but before that she has her work cut out for her. Next season she ’ll compete in the Junior Ladies division. If she can stay on the same path she’s been on and medal at Nationals next season, then she will have the opportunity to represent the United States on the Junior Grand Prix circuit in 2010. Her next big event will be as a member of Team USA in Toronto this August.

Nina has been coached by Shanyn Vallon at Sugar Land Ice and Sport Center since she first began skating. Shanyn was at the national championship in Cleveland cheering for her bright student with the winning smile. Nina competed against the best skaters in the country in her age group, which included girls 11 to 15 years old (Nina was the second youngest by three days).  

“I am very proud of her for many reasons; however, she didn’t skate her best,” said Shanyn. “She made a very unexpected error and fell on the first jump of the program. She was able to keep her focus and come right back with a great triple jump combination. That shows an amazing amount of composure for such a young athlete. She was thrilled with the short program. It was the best performance of that program all season. As for the long (program), she was disappointed that she made mistakes, but she is smart enough to appreciate the valuable lessons she can learn from this experience. ”

In many ways, Nina is a typical sixth-grader, who excels in most everything she does. At First Colony Middle School, she plays the viola in the school band and plays the piano at home in Missouri City, where she lives with her mom, Louise Zhang. And in between skating practice, viola and piano practice, and homework, she is a voracious reader. Nina ’s favorite books are usually non-fiction.  

For a figure skater, Nina has a rare combination that includes natural talent, skating skills and a love and understanding of music, according to Shanyn.

“She’s incredibly musical. This is a huge contributing factor to how she moves on the ice. She feels the music. ”

For this petite powerhouse, skating is still front and center in her life.

“Nina has an amazing work ethic with great support from other skaters and coaches. She also has a mom who is willing to help do whatever it takes, ” said Shanyn.