JALYN FOURKILLER

WAGONER HIGH SCHOOL

Hitting the ball with bat is a family affair at the Fourkiller house where Wagoner High senior Jalyn lives.

“My mom played softball and was on the first softball team from Wagoner to ever make it to state. My dad played baseball in high school and college, and I have two sisters who have been big influences in my life,” said Jalyn. “When I was young, I played in all kinds of sports to see what ones I liked, and softball stuck.”

All of those people have role models along the way for Jalyn along with her grandpa.

“He worked very hard to overcome a hard life when he was younger. He owned his own business which he built from the ground up and I so admire his work ethic.”

While her parents and little sister have been instrumental in her athletics, her older sister Shayley has had more of an influence in how she leads and treats others.

“Shayley is a lot older and didn’t play athletics in high school, but she was the kind of person that always like to see everyone included and has always pushed me to be a better ball player and better person. As a senior leader, I like to uplift people like if someone strikes out and is down on themselves, I want to pick them up and encourage them while keeping a good attitude myself to set a good example,” said Jalyn who also plays basketball and is in the National Honor Society, FCCLA and Diversity Club at Wagoner High.

She and her younger sister Kenzi play together on the Bulldog softball team with Jalyn playing shortstop and Kenzi first base.

“Kenzi and I have always been pretty competitive. I remember a lot of games of Knockout with us and my dad going at it and it would usually come down to me and Kenzi going back and forth. But I love having her on the field with me because sometimes I don’t always make the best throws and she’s good at digging the ball out of the dirt or leaping high for a throw to save me,” Jalyn laughed.

Jalyn will continue her softball playing days next year at Central Baptist College in Arkansas.

“It’s a smaller NAIA school but I like that aspect of it and being in a different town and I also have relatives who live in the area so that will make it ever better.”