It was gloomy outside Saturday, but there were only smiles in the Essex High School auditorium lobby as EHS senior Kylie Jones announced she will play softball at the collegiate level at Bridgwater College.
Bridgewater is a member of the NCAA Division III Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
“When I visited it really felt like home,” Kylie told the Rappahannock Times. “The coaches were so welcoming and it has the same kind of hometown feel. It was the perfect fit for me.”
She also considered Lynchburg, Virginia Wesleyan, and Richard Bland among others.
Kylie is the daughter of EHS athletics director/football coach Todd Jones. Her mother, Meredith, is her softball coach at EHS.
“I’ve been around athletics my life and it’s pushed me to be the best athlete I can be,” she said. “It created a certain drive within me that’s helped me reach his point.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of a lot of these signing days at Essex High School, but this hits a little differently because today I am a proud father,” Todd Jones said. “She’s worked so hard and is now living out her dream.”
Lady Trojan Kylie Jones in action at the plate.
“Today feels really good as both a parent and as a coach,” Meredith Jones remarked. “She’s put in a lot of hard work — both in-season and out-of-season — and has worked through a lot of injuries. Today is a special day and I’m really proud of her.”
Kylie’s sister, Payton, is one semester away from completing graduation requirements at James Madison University. She was also a softball standout at EHS and was the valedictorian of the EHS Class of 2022.
Kylie’s credits Payton with being a role model for her.
“Payton has always been a good influence on me,” Kylie says. “She’s definitely the best student I’ve ever known and she has motivated me athletically as a big sister.”
“I think she’s taught Kylie how to be a good teammate and to be competitive,” Meredith says. “She’s been there to help Kylie mature.”
A pitcher, Kylie has earned all-district and all-region accolades in softball the past two seasons, while also garnering all-academic honors during her softball career at EHs. She is enrolled in the Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School and ranks 5th academically in the EHS Class of 2024.
Before taking off for Bridgewater, Kylie says she hopes to have a successful spring 2024 campaign with the Lady Trojans softball team.
“We’ve got a good group of girls and hopefully we get further than we have the last two season,” Kylie said.
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