JENNIFER JONES “JJ” PALAGI
(Jackson County)
A true champion in scholarship and athletics, Jennifer Jones “JJ” Palagi was the Ravenswood High School valedictorian of 1991. It is there where she was labeled with the nickname “JJ” by her coaches, Mid-Ohio Sports Hall of Famers Jim Mahan and Bryan Canterbury, during what was an outstanding and dominating running career. In her days at Ravenswood, she became one of the most versatile runners in Mid-Ohio Valley history. Whether she was competing in sprint relays, hurdles, middle distance and long distance, “JJ” truly shined on the track.
She was an integral part of the Devilette track and field program that won four consecutive (and five in six years) Class AA-A state championships. She excelled in a variety of events during this historic run, which started in 1988. In 1990 and 1991, she captured the prestigious State Meet High Point Trophy for Class AA-A by accumulating 24.5 points and 30.5 points, respectively.
As a senior, she won the 1600 meters and 3200 meters. She was also a member of the championship 4×800 relay team and placed second in the 800. As a junior, she was a state champ in the 300 hurdles and 800 individually while also running a leg on the title-winning 4×100 unit and the runner-up 4×200 team. During her sophomore season, she was third in the 300 hurdles and a member of the runner-up 4×100 team. In 1988, she was a member of the state champion 4×200 squad. She is an individual school record holder in the 1600, 3200 and 300 hurdles along with being a member of three relay teams that have the top times in program history.
As a senior, she ran cross country for the first time and accomplished an incredible feat by winning the state championship when just one classification (AAA, AA and A were all combined) existed for the sport. Her victory, under head coach Tim Rector, was the first individual XC title in school history and helped Ravenswood win a first-ever title in the sport.
At West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she was a Wesleyan Scholar, “JJ” won the 1991 West Virginia Conference cross country championship. She was named the conference’s Freshman Runner of the Year.
She has lived in Boise, Idaho since 1996. She is married with five adult children and is a notable nursing leader in the state.
Mid-Ohio Valley Sports Hall of Fame 