Senior captain Kristin Jackson is one of West Seattle’s softball all-stars. Jackson fell in love with softball back in her tee-ball era. Jackson has played on a select team since she was ten. She knows how to be competitive and show intensity. Her parents got her started in the game, and they continue to support Jackson.

“[My dad] has inspired and motivated me, he never let me give up,” said Jackson.

Jackson’s love of softball is evident in the way she talks about it. She has a lot of enthusiasm and heart for the game. As the captain of the school’s softball team, Jackson is the starting catcher, and plays first base when needed.

Jackson has also developed a reputation as a wicked batter. You don’t want to be on the opposite team when she’s up to bat.

Jackson’s favorite part about softball is the team bonding and coming together. She also enjoys the competitiveness of the game, when everyone is intense and totally in the game mode.

“This year’s expectations are really high," said Jackson. "We have a great competitive team that is willing to work and put in a lot of effort into succeeding and making it to state."

Kristin Jackson has also played soccer and basketball for West Side. But, softball is her favorite, she reveals.

Jackson plans to go to play softball in college. Her dream school is Stanford.

“It’s an ivy league school, that’s why I didn’t apply,” she said.

In her mind it was a little too much. Her other dream school is the University of Tennessee because they are one of the top softball teams in the United States.

She plans to major in medicine. In the future, Jackson would like to a pediatrician or get into sports medicine.

Kelsi Baker is a West Seattle High School journalism student and this article appears originally in the school newspaper, The Chinook.