A rocket-armed catcher who has hit well over .500 throughout her high school career, Addison Jackson will be remembered as one of the best players in program history at Harlan High School.
She will also be playing on the next level after she graduates in May.
Jackson made it official on Friday when she signed with Montreat College, a North Carolina school that is a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
“Montreat is a small Christian school in a small Appalachian town. It felt like home. The coaches made me feel welcome and part of the Montreat family,” Jackson said.
Jackson has been one of the 13th Region’s top hitters for several years and is coming off a monster junior season when she hit .591 with 55 hits, 10 home runs and 44 RBI. She helped lead the Lady Dragons to the 52nd District Tournament title and a 14-19 record that exceeded their win total from the previous three years combined.
“Addison has been such an integral part of the success of our team. She has put in the work for many years to be the player that she is today,” Harlan coach David Overbay said. “She certainly is capable of going in and making an immediate impact at the next level. She has the talent and softball sense to play any position on the field, and I am excited to see her success as she continues her playing career. Montreat is not only getting a great softball player but even more than that a great young lady both on and off the field.”
Jackson moved into the starting lineup as an eighth grader in 2021 when she hit .526 with a homer and eight RBI. She hit .436 as a freshman with with 34 hits, six homers and 23 RBI. She hit .557 as a sophomore with 49 hits and 36 RBI.
The Lady Dragons will bring back a senior-dominated squad this spring featuring Jackson, third baseman Ella Lisenbee, shortstop Ella Farley, outfielder Ava Nunez and first baseman Abbi Fields and could be one of the region’s top teams.
“I measure success in terms of team success. We have accomplished a lot of our goals but still have some unfinished goals for this season,” Jackson said. “I hope what I’ve done will lead more girls to not only play the sport but to be great at the sport. I want to thank my teammates, coaches and my parents. Without all of them, this day would not have happened.”