Athlete of the Week: Ella Jackson

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Ella Jackson’s softball roots run deep from her family and her early life.

“I did a lot of Little League. I did tee ball when I was younger, but most of it came from my sister,” she said. “I used to be a pitcher when I was younger, it was mainly because my sister did it. I went to all my sister’s practices. We used to go down to Junction two or three times a week. I just watched her all of the time. That’s all I did. Then, I didn’t really like pitching any more, and I got into first base. She also played first base. So, it was good to have somebody to teach me and to help me with everything I needed.”

Jackson is the KREX Exceptional student athlete of the week. She filled up the stat sheet Wednesday night against Palisade. She had a walk, a hit, a stolen base and scored a run. She is batting .522 on the season to go with 31 RBIs for Rifle. Jackson is putting the work in off the field as well.

“After school, I have study hall which is helpful. People at the school have helped me, counselors and everything to give me time for that. Study hall is where I’ll do my homework, so I don’t have to worry about it on the weekends when I have games,” Jackson said. “I like to get my work done. If I have assignments, I need to do after school, and I have extra time in class, I’ll do them then because I don’t want things piling up.”

On the field, Jackson enjoyed playing softball.

“My favorite part is probably the people. I love the team; I even love people from other teams. I make friends with everybody. I just love everybody in (softball),” she said.

Jackson said softball will help her in the future.

“It’ll definitely make me a stronger person,” she said. “It’ll help my work ethic, my confidence in everything. It also helps the social skills. You learn how to interact with people, so I think that’ll help me in the future with jobs.”

She said she had been hitting after practice to work on her skills this season. she attributed her success to that work and help from her dad and sister. She said it’s worth it for other players as well.

“You’re going to regret not doing it more than you would if you did it,” she said. “You’re going to feel good if you put in the work, you’re going to see results. You get out what you put in.”

Jackson isn’t leaving the sport anytime soon.

“I’ve put in so much work and so much time that there’s no point in quitting,” she said. “I enjoy it and there’s no point in quitting a sport that I love and that I am good at.”

She gave a shout out to her teammate Brynn Axelson as someone who is also deserving of being recognized for her work on and off the field.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.