Her feelings are genuine, fostered by obvious family bonds and an appreciation of her sister's immense natural talent. Jessica, a senior, has won a state volleyball title, a state basketball title and a state high jump title during her career at Central High.
She set the school high jump record last year with a leap of 5 feet, 6 inches, an impressive vault many thought would stand for decades.
"I thought I set it high enough that it could at least last a couple of years," Jessica Hemann said. "Then she goes and shows me the first meet."
The "she" is Jena Hemann, the Cougars' freshman phenom who stormed onto the small-school track scene this spring with a dazzling display of record-setting efforts.
In her first varsity track meet, Jena Hemann shattered her sister's high jump record with a leap of 5 feet, 9 inches. Happiness over her jump soon gave way to feelings of guilt about beating her older sister's mark.
"I felt really bad," Jena Hemann said. "She hurried up and came over and hugged me as soon as it happened, but I felt really bad. It made me feel better, but I still felt really bad for her."
One of the most fierce competitors to step onto Central's campus, Jessica Hemann hates to lose -- at anything. But losing the record to her blond younger sister made it easier to digest.
"When I talk to people, they're like 'Aren't you mad that she beat you?'" Jessica Hemann said. "I'm like 'No way! I was the first one to go give her a hug.' If anyone is going to beat me, I'm glad it's her. Might as well keep it in the family."
The Hemann family will be well represented at the Class A State Track and Field Meet today at Eastern Illinois University's O'Brien Stadium in Charleston.
Jena Hemann qualified in the long jump, high jump, 200-meter dash and 400. Jessica Hemann qualified in the high jump -- where she is the reigning state champion -- and triple jump. K.C. Root (800) and Tami Poettker (300 hurdles) are Central's other qualifiers.
A possible 1-2 finish by the Hemann sisters in the high jump is a distinct possibility. Jena Hemann's jump of 5 feet, 5 inches at the Sparta Sectional last week was the best among the Class A field. Jessica's jump of 5 feet, 1 inch was fifth-best among the 47 qualifiers.
"I've been struggling a little bit, but if I think if I get over that, I can get in the top five," Jessica Hemann said. "That's my goal. Finishing 1-2 would be amazing, but there's a lot of good jumpers up there. I'm just hoping to medal."
If Jena does dethrone Jessica as state high jump champion, her biggest cheerleader will be her big sister.
"They're spectacular kids to begin with, then with their natural ability, hard work and leadership, it's just great to see that out of kids like that," said Central coach Greg Kruse. "Instead of being jealous, they help each other and they cheer each other on. That's something that you don't see a lot of times with two kids who are competing.
"In this situation, they both want the other to do great. However, there can only be one winner."
The Hemann sisters have finished 1-2 in the high jump in nine of Central's 10 meets this spring, with Jena taking first and Jessica second on each occasion. Jessica did finish first one time -- when Jena didn't compete.
Jena Hemann's ability to dominate took everybody by surprise. She has already broken four school records this year. Besides the high jump, she owns records in long jump (17-8), the 100 (12.22 seconds) and 200 (25.52).
"I knew she would go out there and do good, but how quick she caught on and how quick she got better amazed me," said Jessica Hemann, who is heading to Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a volleyball scholarship.
In grade school at All-Saints Academy in Breese, Jena's best high jump was 5 feet, 4 inches and best long jump was 15 feet, 6 inches. She has added 5 inches to her high jump and over 2 feet to her long jump in one year.
"I'd be lying to you if I thought she was going to be as good as what she is right now," Kruse said. "She's definitely worked hard and grasped onto some technique work that we do pretty quick.
"A lot of times with the long jump, triple jump and high jump, it takes over a year to get the stuff down. She's picked it up just like that."
Jessica Hemann also has proven to be a quick study. She never did the triple jump before this spring, but her best jump of 35-2 is just 5 inches off Amanda Backes' school record.
Jena Hemann --who cheered her sister at the previous three state track meets through a chain-link fence --will once again be Jessica's biggest fan this weekend.
After all, family bonds are hard to break.
"They get along pretty well and are very supportive of each another," said Curt Hemann, their father. "I don't to have worry about that. Other things, maybe, like wearing each other's shirts. You know, girl things."
Contact reporter Rod Kloeckner at rkloeckner@bnd.com or 239-2663.
