Ashley Jackson became the first Free State High girl to claim an individual state swimming championship two years ago when she won the 200 freestyle as a sophomore.
Jackson made another Firebird first Tuesday when the Louisville recruit became Free State's first girl swimmer to sign a Division One letter of intent.
"She had the pick of any school she wanted to look at," FSHS coach Jama Crady said. "I told her to take all her trips."
Jackson did, visiting Colorado State, Kansas University, San Diego, Clemson, Louisville and Arkansas in consecutive weekends.
"It was a real stressful October," said Jackson, who made her decision two weeks ago.
Jackson grew up rooting for KU, and she narrowed her choices to Louisville and Kansas before picking the Cardinals.
"I decided I wanted something new, and I wanted a new experience," she said. "I'm glad it's over. I'm happy and looking forward to August."
Jackson also is looking forward to her senior season after being hampered by a shoulder injury a year ago. Jackson was the state champion in the 200 freestyle and runner-up in the 500 in 2003, but coaches limited her practice and time and held her out of a few meets last spring because of her injury. She slipped to fifth at state in the 200 and was third in the 500.
"We kind of held her back in training and in her tapering," Crady said of Jackson, who also was limited during the Lawrence Aquahawks' summer season. "We want her to have a successful season. We kind of rested her during her junior year."
Free State High swimmer Ashley Jackson, right, hugs FSHS coach Jama Crady. Jackson signed a national letter of intent on Tuesday at FSHS to swim at the University of Louisville.
Jackson is back in the pool with the Aquahawks and preparing for the spring high school season.
"She's ready to go," Crady said. "She's at the top of her game. She'll be very successful."
6Sports video: Two swimmers sign letters of intentWhen Jackson signed her letter of intent at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Free State's library, Lawrence High senior Melissa Little -- an Aquahawks teammate -- was on hand. Then Jackson went across town to watch Little sign her letter of intent with Northern Iowa at LHS.
"We've been swimming together since we were eight," Jackson said. "We wanted to do it together."
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.