By By Tim Cottrell
Meagan Jackson, a recent graduate of Escambia Academy, spent most of her time at the school hitting one of three things; the hardwood, a softball, or the books. Now she will have a chance to continue to do two of the three.
Jackson signed a full scholarship last week to play softball for Faulkner State Community College's Lady Sun Chiefs. Jackson started for EA's Lady Cougar softball team from the time she was in eighth grade, winning a state title in her ninth grade year.
"It's exciting," Jackson said. "It's somewhere close, and most of my friends are going there so I'll know a bunch of people."
Jackson's father, Darrell, who also happened to be her head coach in softball for the past two years, was equally excited about his daughter's chance to play at the next level.
"I'm ecstatic," he said. "She had the opportunity to play at the next level. Faulkner was by far the most aggressive. A lot of schools came around at the last minute, but Faulkner was there the longest."
Jackson led the Lady Cougars in almost every category during her senior year. She maintained a .500 batting average, drove in 34 runs, scored 33 more, knocked five doubles, nine triples, and one home run. Her on-base percentage was .611 for the season, and she had a 20 game hitting streak during the course of the season. She struck out only one time in her 94 at-bats.
Jackson also played point guard for the Lady Cougar basketball team during her time at EA, where she won three state titles.
Jackson said that there was little she would change about her time at the school.
"I should've hit better in the state tournament this year," she said. "I was terrible."
Jackson expects to play shortstop for the Sun Chiefs, and plans to major in physical education. She hopes to be a softball and basketball coach.
When asked what the main lesson she had learned was while at EA, Jackson had an easy answer.
"Just that hard work pays off."