275 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT DESIGNED BY DELLA RHODES Always on the F I E L D Pole vaulter freshman Hazel Jackson played football in high school. FOCUSING ON ONE SPORT was unusual for freshman Hazel Jackson, who played four different sports in high school. The sport Jackson received the most attention for was football due to being the only female on the team. She played varsity football for Joshua High School in Texas as a wide receiver and defensive back. Reactions to her playing football were very mixed. “I received a ton of hate for it, but also a ton of support,” Jackson said. “I got a lot of comments from older men saying I shouldn’t play because I would get hurt, but I just told them that was part of playing football.” Besides football, which she played for four years, Jackson also competed in basketball, powerlifting and track, in which she was both a sprinter and pole vaulter. This led to tough decisions for Jackson on what college to attend and what sport to compete in. “I got an offer for football at McPherson College, and I had a few colleges interested in me for powerlifting,” Jackson said. “I decided on track at HU because of the Christian atmosphere and academic scholarships I would receive here.” The recruiting process, according to Jackson, was quite simple. Her high school pole vault coach knew head track coach Don Hood. Her high school coach made the connection, and Jackson visited for the weekend to meet Hood and some team members. According to Hood, this visit was one of two occasions where he got to talk to Jackson about Harding and its mission. “First, I called her to talk about her goals, Harding, and our track and field program,” Hood said. “Hazel has a very strong faith and was excited to see that Harding works hard to be true to its mission. Then, she came out for a visit and loved it.” Freshman Justin Livingston, a friend of Jackson’s, had no doubt she would excel on the track team. “One thing she will bring to the track team this year and in years to come is unwavering determination to get better and be the best version of herself,” Livingston said. Jackson said she enjoyed being on the track team at Harding and looked forward to the upcoming season. “The best part about being on the team so far is the team atmosphere and getting to know all of my new teammates,” Jackson said. Hood said that since coming to Harding, Jackson made great improvements. “She’s beginning to understand how college training works and the commitment it requires,” Hood said. “She has fully embraced that. She knows she has a lot to learn, and she’s excited to get started on this journey.” WRITTEN BY CARTER THWEATT FLY HIGH Freshman Hazel Jackson pole vaults during a practice in fall 2021. Pole vaulting was one of four sports Jackson played in high school. Photo by: Julianne Baker
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