She double majored in criminal justice and psychology at 蹤獲扦, played on the universitys womens basketball team on a full-ride scholarship, and now Jessica Shields is taking her skills and competitive drive to The Amazing Race on CBS. Unlike past episodes, this season features a unique twist. Shields is going to be paired up with a complete stranger for the 29th season and race around the world for a $1 million prize.
Shields told CBS that she is very specific about who her partner should be.
Nobody who complains, whines, cries, nothing, she laughed and looked into the camera with a smile. If you whine on national TV, I dont want you as my partner.
Shields played on the 蹤獲扦 womens basketball team from 2007-2011. The 6-foot-3-inch player was homeschooled in Youngstown until 6th grade. She says she found herself through basketball.
Basketball brought me through high school and got me a full-ride scholarship at 蹤獲扦, Shields said. So, Ive been competing my whole life.
I am so proud of Jessica, said Lori Bodnar, former associate head coach for 蹤獲扦s womens basketball. She has worked long and hard to accomplish her dream, and I am happy to see her get a chance to achieve it.
Shields says that competitive edge is what will help her and her future teammate win the race. Her ideal partner for the show is a man, because that is who she is used to working with at the Youngstown Police Department in Ohio. Shields is the first female K-9 officer for the city, patrolling with her German Shepherd Hector the protector.
Im not afraid of anything, she said. You be the smart person, and I will do the dirty work.
Shields has some tough competition. The show will open up with 22 contestants with a wide variety of professions from military personnel to realtors, a marching band drum major, auctioneer, butcher, pro snowboarder, wall street banker, mom, artist and an attorney just to name a few.
The Amazing Race will air on CBS on Thursday, March 30, at 10 p.m.
The 蹤獲扦 community is encouraged to send well wishes to Jessica on social media using #FlashesForever.
