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Ashontae Jackson: Girls track and field athlete of the year Date published: 6/24/2009
BY TAFT COGHILL JR. When Ashontae Jackson was in the third grade, her physical education teacher, Mark Hogan, recognized she had a special talent--speed. Jackson said Hogan would pit her against fifth-graders in races at Gordon-Barbour Elementary School in Orange County. She won nearly all the time. Hogan was so impressed with Jackson he enrolled her in a youth cross country meet in the county. Jackson finished third in that race, but she also discovered something else: Cross country wasn't her sport. So when Jackson reached the eighth grade, she joined the Prospect Heights Middle School track and field team as a sprinter. Three years later, she's one of the top sprinters in Virginia. The Orange High School junior won the Group AA state title in the 400 meters on May 31 at Harrisonburg High School in 56.68 seconds. She placed third in the 200 at the same meet. For her accomplishments, Jackson has been named The Free Lance-Star's girls track and field athlete of the year. Jackson said she owes Hogan plenty of gratitude. "He saw the potential in me, and that got me started," Jackson said. "Every time I see him I thank him so much. I can't thank him enough." Jackson has a lot to be grateful for. She's receiving interest from several colleges, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a sophomore, she placed third in the 400, fourth in the 200 and fifth in the long jump at the state meet. A 3-inch growth spurt helped her turn that third-place showing in the 400 into a state title. "I'm sure growing a little taller has helped her," Orange track and field coach Renee Almond said. "She got taller, but she didn't gain any weight. That can be kind of a sticky thing with girls." Even with the growth spurt, Jackson's success this past season wasn't guaranteed. She suffered a left leg injury (due to overuse) in the Region II indoor meet in February and had to miss four weeks of action. Jackson said the setback made her more determined to have a breakout spring season. "It was physically and mentally painful," Jackson said of the injury. "I wanted to be out there running with my teammates and I couldn't do that." Once Jackson returned, the victories followed. She won the long jump, 200 and 400 at the Jefferson District outdoor meet, setting a district record in the 400. Jackson went on to pick up a regional 400 title and a second-place finish in the 200. Almond said Jackson "got by on natural talent" immediately after her injury, but then began to put in the work necessary to become a state champion. "I'm very proud of Ashontae and what she's doing," said Jackson's mother, McShanna Jackson. "She's at a place in her life where everything has opened up to her. All she has to do is grab it." Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Read more stories about Orange Date published: 6/24/2009
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