NCSA caught up with Jordan Jewett to get her thoughts on her high school career and the possibility of playing in college.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game? What's your pre-game ritual(s)?
Jewett: Definitely a pump up song. But the motivation and concentration from my team mates also motivates me. My pre-game warm up usually consists of visualizing my at bats; line drives, base hits... that sort of thing. I always have sunflower seeds on my left side of my cheek. (good luck charm)
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play on a collegiate level?
Jewett: Taking my game to the next level and experiencing that "intense" college level fastpitch.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in the sports you played in? (Is it a family tradition, do you admire an athlete in the sport)?
Jewett: I started when I was seven and I just continued to play it. I love the mental part of the game, so I decided to stick with it and hopefully it will take me somewhere farther.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Jewett: As of now, I have not really built any relationships with College Coaches other than the local JC coaches that I have attended a few hitting camps with. I have received compliments here and there at a few tournaments. As far as email contacts, I get pretty blown away from some of the schools that take the time to send you an email, I makes you feel really good to know that your level of play is good enough to at least get a large D-1 school's Coach to spend the time and send a contact/informational email.
NCSA: How are your team(s) doing so far? Any challenges this season? How are you excelling personally, how does that compare to previous years?
Jewett: My high school team is just starting up, so we haven't played any games yet. Some challenges would definitely be the coaching change. I had an amazing coach last year. He pretty much improved my mental part of the game by telling me you play this game by "one pitch at a time" not one game at a time. So it's different having a new a coach. The last two years we have finished 7th in state, so there's definitely some pressure. We want to make it three years in a row.
NCSA: What are your goals - athletically, academically and in your community - for the rest of the school year? What are also your goals for the summer? Are you looking to improve your speed, skills, acing a course?
Jewett: Of course my main goal for my High School team this year is to make it to states and in top 5. Academically I want to improve my grade point average so I can be qualified to look at other colleges. My summer goals is to narrow down what specific colleges I would want to "for sure" attend. And when I find those colleges, I want to contact the coaches and keep in touch, build a relationship.
NCSA: Tell us about what you've learned since being with NCSA. Have you learned about how to talk with coaches? Have you learned some rules on playing at the next level? What's the biggest take-away you have from your experience here?
Jewett: So far I have learned many of the NCAA rules that apply to me and my parents, this includes in how and when I can talk to coaches and they can talk to me.
