Introduction 

The grass is beginning to turn green, the flowers are starting to bloom, and spring sports is on its way at Jackson Heights! Coming into the Spring season of athletics at Jackson Heights: Track is ready to take off running with their new head coach, Brett Plattner, softball is ready to start rolling with their second year head coach, Samantha Carson, and finally Baseball is on their way ready to make some noise with head coach Jeremy Melvin.

Track Preview

Track has been a staple in Jackson Heights athletics since the very beginning, whether that be throwing, running, jumping, or sprinting Jackson Heights has done it all. 

When talking to the new head coach, Coach Plattner, he said, “My goals as the new head coach at Jackson Heights are to continue to build upon the rich tradition that Jackson Heights track and field has.” 

Coach Plattner also notes he would like to expand his knowledge of all of the events to help further develop and improve the team.

Going into the track season Jackson Heights is going to have quite the roster of young sprinters with sophomores Kyson Proffitt, Drake Mellies and Austin Zeller with the addition of the junior Landon Gauge. Kyson Proffitt last year won at Regionals as a freshman in the 100m and 200m, his best times during the season came at 10.92 seconds in the 100m and 22.9 seconds in the 200m. Sophomore Brynn Shupe will be the girl to look out for on the girls side of the snakes to make some noise.

Increasing the distance to 800m and above, Jackson Heights will be looking at a couple of distance runners with Jayden Gueye and Nate Linck. Nate Linck last year slithered his way to state in the 800m with his best time during the year at two minutes and four seconds. Nate will be looking to return to state in the 800m and possibly some other longer distance races. 

Throwing for Jackson Heights will be elite on the girls side with senior Dawson Cochren and her sophomore sister, Chesnea Cochren. Dawson Cochren went to state last year in Shot-put and discus. Another thrower for the girls to look for will be senior Lillian Brown. The Men’s side of throwing will aim to be competitive this year at each meet.

Lastly the jumpers for the Cobras will mostly rely on sophmores Kyson Proffitt and Brynn Shupe. Coach Plattner will work closely with the sprinters and jumpers to make sure they have perfect form and excel at their event. 

Softball Preview

The Softball program enters its second year at Jackson Heights after coming off a very dominate first year under head coach Samantha Carson. The Cobra Girl’s softball team last year finished last year 7-4 in the regular season, 7-5 overall, and an impressive 5-1 in the league. Their only loss in League coming against the 1-2A state champions in the Mclouth Bulldogs. The Girls ended their season last year against Onaga in the opening round of regionals 8-5. Despite finishing 6th in the league they arguably could of finished second or third if not for being a first year program that couldn’t get many league games on their schedule.

Softball returns nine players from last year and look to pick up a couple of new ones this year from the freshman class. Coach Carson adds to this saying, “This year, we return a lot of experience, but also add a great group of newcomers to the mix. We are looking to be strong offensively with a lot of power and versatility throughout the lineup.” Coach Carson continues to credit the flexibility of her players on her team by commenting, “We have the ability to move girls to several different positions, which will allow for a lot of flexibility and a great opportunity to match the strengths of any opponent we meet.”

Stepping into the infield for the Cobras will be sophomore Chesnea Cochren, junior Taylor Bosley, and junior Makinley Mulroy. Some players who will be locking down the outfield this year will be Jennifer Buck and Brynn Shupe. Behind the plate catching for the snakes will be Gracie Cowsert and Jennifer Buck. Key utility players for the Cobras will be senior Alexandria Rollins and sophmore Madilyn Bacon. 

Finally, walking up to the mound this year for Jackson Heights will be the sophomore returning pitcher, Layla Cochren, backing her up from the bullpen will be Taygan Fischer and Natalie Keo. Jackson Heights only returns one pitcher from last year, but Coach Carson is confident in the new additions and in some of the other girls around the field who can come in if needed and dominate the mound. 

Jackson Heights Softball kicks off this Thursday at Wetmore with Jackson Heights versus Centralia on KNZA 103.9

Baseball Preview

Last year the Jackson Heights baseball team finished at 6–12 in the regular season, 7-13 overall, and went even in league play at 3-3. The Cobras last year had a stellar year for their first year ever as a program considering they battled hard against Kansas City Christian, Onaga, and JCN. The boys managed to win the opening round of Regional against JCN, winning 8-1. Unfortunately the season ended in the Semi-final round to Onaga 1-11, a team who went on later to lose at State in the Semi-finals against St. Mary’s Colgan 0-10.

Coach Melvin’s baseball team returns eighteen players while adding ten more to that number. The Jackson Heights baseball program has taken off, and it’s all thanks to head coach Jeremy Melvin who brings an important leadership to the young men he coaches. When Coach Melvin was asked, “What does your team improve on the most, since this is a new program?” Melvin replied with the word “Mentality”, saying it’s one of the core principles that his players develop the most throughout the year in the newly created baseball program.

Jackson Heights will have a dominant infield with sophmore Austin Zeller at first, sophmore Cooper Hewitt or the junior, Dillon Childs. Third base will be occupied by the stout senior, Micheal Cornelison, with an occasional sub-in from Kade Holiday or Austin Zeller. At shortstop making plays will be primarily the juniors Titus Eisenbarth and Kade Holiday. Back behind the plate will be junior J.W Moore backed up by Drake Mellies and Weston Shultejans. The outfield will consist of Ian Allen, Brayden McQueen, Drake Mellies, Weston Shultejans, Kade Holiday, Jace Robinson, and Teagan Bowhay.

Behind the mound Jackson Heights will have their most experienced player in Micheal Cornelison joined by the duel-sport athlete in Drake Mellies who will strike with speed. Joining the rotation on the mound you’ll expect to see is Austin Zeller, Kade Holiday, Weston Shultejans and many more. Coach Melvin credits his team by saying he has many quality pitchers and at-least  seven men who can step up to the challenge at the mound.

Jackson Heights baseball starts this Thursday away against JCN. But next Thursday you can catch the Cobras versus Onaga Buffaloes game on the Cobra Channel!

Conclusion

This year is going to be a good one for all Cobra sports that will be going on this spring season. Cobra track, softball, and baseball will all look to contend for NEKL titles, aim for Regional titles, and do their best to achieve State titles.

Cobra Channel

Get your popcorn, get your peanuts, and get your hotdogs cause Cobra Varsity Baseball and Softball is coming your way on the Cobra Channel! Only a couple games will be audio only broadcasted during the year for each team, so be sure to tune in!