Emily Jackson '24 Recruiting Profile

I've been watching or participating in track and field ever since I was able to walk.  I've watched cousins, and my two older siblings throw shot put, discus, and javelin from the age of 1. My backyard includes a concrete throwing circle and my basement is where my strength and conditioning is developed.  It was a natural progression for me to start throwing at a young age. I began to compete in junior high, grade 7 (at that time, my school district was Blairsville-Saltsburg and the track team was at Saltsburg). I did quite well and earned a pot in the Middle School Championships.       

My greatest accomplishment this past year, as a sophomore, was placing 7th in shot with a PR of 37'2" at the PA State Track and Field Championships in Shippensburg.  I plan to move up the podium and begin spinning for shot (I have always done so in disc) to improve in 2023.  During my sophomore year, I was also part of the 4x4 relay and enjoyed that change in competition.  My coaches helped me shave 11 seconds from my time during the 2022 season. I plan to do even better in 2023! However, throwing is my first love. I like both shot and disc, but I am better in shot right now. Maybe this is because I get more practice due to indoor track meets. Although my school, River Valley (PA), doesn't have an organized team for indoor track, I attended many meets as an unattached, or independent athlete this winter at Slippery Rock, Penn State and Youngstown State. I also added to my experiences by joining USATF and participating in the Junior Olympics Championships, earning a spot in July in both shot and disc in the National Championship in Sacramento, CA.  My coaches volunteered their time and traveled long distances to be with me at most of the independent meets.  I admire their enthusiasm and always strive to do my best so I won't let them down.  This also applies to my teammates! I enjoy learning from my peers and also helping them along the way. The best thing about track is that it is both an individual sport, and a team sport. My teammates make it so much fun, and I've met track athletes from competing schools who have become very good friends outside of track, as well.

I am a distinguished honor roll student and have great relationships with my teachers. I know any of my current or former teachers would have good things to say about me.  I participate in Remembering Adam, a committed agreement to avoid destructive decisions, like drugs and alcohol. I am a babysitter and work at a local apple orchard in the fall (where I may have thrown an apple in place of my shot just to see how far it would go!). My parents have always supported me in all of my activities and never miss a meet. Most of the time, I also have grandparents, aunts and uncles,  cousins, and friends in attendance.  They all inspire me to do better. 

Thinking beyond high school, I want to be a collegiate athlete! I am currently not certain about the career I'd like to pursue, but I have an interest in science and have considered Saftey Science or Forensics. I believe I am also an effective, quick-whitted speaker, so I've thought about law, as well. Obtaining a degree is the foremost goal of going to college, but I am hopeful that I can also continue to participate in track as a student athlete and to be part of a larger team of athletes who have similar goals.