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One of these days, the McAllisters will need to build a room just for medals and trophies or simply buy a bigger house. Their home on the 1800 block of Sigel Street is turning into a shrine as a result of standout athletic performances by Jonaé, 16, in track and field, and Jonathan, 14, for baseball.
As far as who has more awards, neither has taken the time to count.
"[Jonathan] has more trophies, but I have more medals than him," Jonaé said. "I have too many [medals] to count, it’s probably over 100 now.
"We try to have our own section, but we just ran out of room."
Both spent part of summer vacation participating in national competitions, trying to extend the family bounty. Jonaé was in Baltimore last month for her sixth appearance in the USA Track and Field Junior Nationals, while Jonathan made two trips to Florida with his Philadelphia Senators National to take part in prestigious countrywide tournaments.
When he returned from his most recent journey to Walt Disney World, Jonathan had exciting news: A scout from USA Baseball was watching and liked what he saw, handing father John a business card as a result. The athlete has been invited to tryout for the Junior National team next summer.
Jonathan was surprised at first when Dad shared the info.
"It makes me want to get a lot better," Jonathan said.
Jonaé was excited for her little brother, adding, "I haven’t heard the whole story, but I am happy for him that he is getting recognition."
Her summer hasn’t been too shabby, either. Competing at Junior Nationals with the West Philadelphia-based United Stars track club, she took third in the 4×400. She also ran the 400, placing fourth in the trials. Dad John checked out some of the action in Maryland before heading farther South.
"I get sort of nervous because I can’t say anything," Jonathan said of watching his sister compete. "I sort of watch and hope she wins."
He was proud of his sibling, who attends Engineering & Science in North Philadelphia, for being named Philadelphia Public League Most Outstanding Athlete. As a sophomore, she beat out upperclassmen.
"It was pretty exciting," Jonaé’ said. "I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t think they gave awards like that out."
Why stop there?
"I am going to just keep striving for bigger things," she said.
STRONG ATHLETIC GENES run in the family. In high school, mom Rhonda competed in the high jump and long jump for Overbrook. Dad John played football and baseball for South Philadelphia High. Many other family members also are blessed with athletic ability, including cousin and Archbishop Carroll grad Maurice Stovall, who is a wide receiver with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"They use them as motivation to help them achieve some of their goals," Rhonda said of the extended family.
Every milestone, including those by 10-year-old brother Jawan, makes both parents proud. But strong grades in the classroom are equally important.
"I am very happy for them, but I always stress their education," Mom said. "I just stay on them to keep them focused on what they’re trying to achieve."
Jonaé said her parents play a major role in helping them achieve overall success. "If it wasn’t for them staying on top of us the way they do, I don’t think we would be where we are at now," she said.
Jawan also has a bright future. He plays for the Marian Anderson Monarchs and Philadelphia Stars baseball teams, based at 18th and Fitzwater streets. Earlier this summer, he was in Cooperstown, N.Y., competing in a tournament at the Hall of Fame. He is also a batboy for the Senators.
For now, Jonathan and Jonaé, who are both honor-roll students are keeping everyone extremely busy with their national tournaments. In the past, the entire family would attend to support one another, but these days, traveling for a group of five can get pricy. This summer, the McAllisters have been splitting up or the kids have been traveling with teammates.
Like many parents, Rhonda gets a little tense before some of her daughter’s bigger events.
"When it gets closer and closer to the national meets [that’s] when I get nervous," she said. "I just tell them to take one step at a time. So far it works."
JONAé’S NEXT AMBITION is getting a Division I track-and-field scholarship. Even though college coaches aren’t permitted to talk with her until next summer, the athlete hopes to put a preliminary list together in the next few weeks. University of Virginia and the University of North Carolina are getting early consideration.
"My ultimate goal is, I want to get a full scholarship for college," she said.
Of course, Jonaé also is looking forward to making a showing at next year’s Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association AA state championship. As a sophomore, the sprinter helped the E&S; 4×400 relay team defend the state title by breaking the meet record (3:53.34). The group also owned the previous mark of 3:53.43, set in 2005.
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Individually, Jonaé placed fifth in the 400 (59.19), with four seniors ahead of her. As a team, E&S; placed third overall with 30 points.
"I want to try and make a name for myself at states, not just in the relay," Jonaé said.
To place at states is a huge deal for Philadelphia Public League athletes in only their second year of PIAA competition. As a freshman, Jonaé made history as a member of the first city team to win a gold medal in a state championship event.
"Going into the PIAA, the feeling was the Public League wasn’t going to be able to step up to the plate and handle the other teams," she said. "To go out there and bring home the gold medal [in the 4×400] made me even happier because it was for my school."
Jonathan is just getting started with his high school career at Chestnut Hill Academy. He has faced some stiff competition in his time with the Senators, which gives him a jumpstart on other rookies. This summer alone, his team competed in the Perfect Game World Series, where the Senators finished with a 4-2 record with both losses coming by one run apiece. Earlier this month, at United States Specialty Sports Association Elite 24 World Series, the team finished in a four-way tie for fifth place.
But the pitcher-outfielder is striving for even bigger things. "I want to win a national championship next year," he said. "We came so close this year."
More important than any win or loss is the experience taught him about teamwork.
"We are brothers," Jonathan said of the Senators. "If one brother makes a mistake, another brother picks us up. We are a big family."
Of course, with USA Baseball showing interest, the athlete also knows there are several areas of his game that could use improvement, including his breaking ball, reading the ball off the bat better from the outfield and his swing.
As the McAllisters continue improving in their respective sports, the space for trophies and medals will keep dwindling. Luckily, grandma, who resides in Maryland, is always happy to take whatever medals and trophies she can get her hands on.
"We need to move," Rhonda said with a laugh. "This is just the beginning."
