Jacob Spiker Gibb (born February 6, 1976) is an American professional beach volleyball player, who currently plays on the AVP Tour with Taylor Crabb as his partner. Gibb and Casey Patterson represented the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Previously, Gibb and Sean Rosenthal played together from 2006 to 2012. The duo represented Team USA at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

Jake Gibb
Gibb in 2008
Personal information
Full nameJacob Spiker Gibb
Nationality United States
Born (1976-02-06) February 6, 1976 (age 48)
Bountiful, Utah, U.S.
HometownBountiful, Utah, U.S.
Height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Honours
Men's beach volleyball
Representing the  United States
World Tour
Gold medal – first place 2006 Mexico Beach
Gold medal – first place 2008 Prague Beach
Gold medal – first place 2012 Rome Beach
Gold medal – first place 2012 Gstaad Beach
Gold medal – first place 2013 Shanghai Beach
Gold medal – first place 2015 St. Petersburg Beach
Gold medal – first place 2020 Chetumal Beach
Silver medal – second place 2005 Paris Beach
Silver medal – second place 2006 Paris Beach
Silver medal – second place 2006 Brazil Beach
Silver medal – second place 2011 Shanghai Beach
Silver medal – second place 2012 Shanghai Beach
Silver medal – second place 2012 Berlin Beach
Silver medal – second place 2013 Corrientes Beach
Silver medal – second place 2015 Olsztyn Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2005 Brazil Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2005 South Africa Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Myslowice Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Québec Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Klagenfurt Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Gstaad Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Stare Jabłonki Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Doha Beach

Personal life

edit

Gibb was born and raised in Bountiful, Utah, where he played golf and basketball. His middle name is his mother's maiden name, Spiker. He did not play volleyball in college, but attended the University of Utah and graduated in 2002 with a degree in business. It was not until he turned 21 that he took up the sport of beach volleyball with his twin brother, Coleman. He has ten brothers and sisters.[1]

Gibb is a two-time cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2010 and also had a malignant melanoma removed from his left shoulder in 2002.[2]

He and his wife, Jane, were married in 2000 and moved to Southern California in 2002. They reside in Huntington Beach, California.[3]

Career

edit

Partners

edit

Before partnering up with Crabb in 2017, he previously played with Sean Rosenthal, Mike Daniel, Stein Metzger, Ty Loomis and Adam Jewell. In 2005 with Stein Metzger, the duo played in 14 AVP events and won four, which led the tour. They also finished second three times and third five times.

In 2006, Gibb and Rosenthal played in 16 AVP events and won one – the very first event they played together. In 2007, they played in 17 AVP events and won two. They also finished second seven times and third twice. In 2008, they beat top-ranked American duo Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers in the final AVP Tour event before the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Long Beach, California. Overall, they played seven AVP Tour events in 2008 and won two, and also placed second in two.

AVP honors

edit
  • 2005
    • AVP Most Valuable Player
    • AVP Team of the Year (with Metzger)
    • FIVB Top Rookie
  • 2004
    • AVP Most Improved Player

Olympics

edit

Gibb made his Olympic debut at the 2008 Summer Olympics with Rosenthal. The team made it to the quarterfinals before losing to Brazilian duo of Ricardo Santos and Emanuel Rego. Gibb and Rosenthal finished 5th again at the 2012 London Olympics when they lost to the Latvian team. Although it was a disappointing finish at the London Olympics, Gibb and Rosenthal finished 1st in the world on the FIVB tour. After a great year, Gibb and Rosenthal decided to conclude their partnership and play with other teammates. The next year, Gibb began to play with Casey Patterson.

Gibb participated with Tri Bourne after Taylor Crabb withdrew due to COVID-19 at the 2020 Summer Olympics in 2021, at age 45, making him the oldest ever Olympic Beach Volleyball competitor and finished 9th.[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ Marshall, Andrew (August 3, 2008). "Mission, family helped Gibb achieve Olympic dream". Deseret News. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  2. ^ Berman, Dr. Michele (July 28, 2011). "US Olympic Beach Volleyball Player, Jake Gibb is Two Time Cancer Survivor!". Celebrity Diagnosis. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  3. ^ "Huntington Beach's Jake Spycher Gibb claims first AVP Hermosa Beach Open title". Daily Pilot. Los Angeles Times. July 28, 2017.
  4. ^ "It's been a weird Olympics, but Jake Gibb is making the most of it". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
edit
Sporting positions
Preceded by Men's FIVB Beach Volley World Tour Winner
alongside   Sean Rosenthal

2012
Succeeded by
Awards
Preceded by
  Emanuel Rego (BRA)
Men's FIVB World Tour "Most Inspirational"
2013–2014
Succeeded by
  Emanuel Rego (BRA)
Preceded by
Inaugural
Men's FIVB World Tour "Top Rookie"
with   Matteo Varnier (ITA)

2005
Succeeded by
  Sean Rosenthal (USA)
Preceded by Men's FIVB World Tour "Team of the Year"
alongside   Sean Rosenthal

2012
Succeeded by