The bridge between Gering High School and Western Nebraska Community College grew a little stronger on Wednesday as Bulldog standout Jacelyn Brown signed to join the Cougar softball program next year.
For Brown, the decision to stay at home was more than just proximity; it was about being part of a program she grew up so much about.
"I'm definitely excited to be playing at WNCC," Brown said. "Playing at home allows me to stay close to family but meet new people. (WNCC) pulls girls from all around the country and even out of the country, so it would be a great way to meet new people."
It was a pretty easy decision to play softball at WNCC once visiting the campus and meeting with the team.
"I had my first visit about a month ago and I met with the team," she said. "One of the players led me around the campus, so I got a tour from them, and they were all super nice and welcoming. I ate lunch with the team and the coach; they were all super nice, and they answered any questions I had. They were all just amazing."
Brown becomes the 16th Bulldog to play for the Cougars since the program was started in 2001. Gering graduates Annessa Escamilla and Becca Svoboda suited up for the Cougars in 2018 and Kayla Romey was the last Bulldog to sign and play two years for the Cougars in 2012 and 2013.
Brown is the third signing for Cougar coach Nayeli Diaz this year, joining Cheyenne Central's Maya Driver and Cheyenne East's Alexa Luethy. Brown is eager to join that incoming class and was encouraged by the support of the current Cougar players who attended on Wednesday afternoon.
"I just think it shows that the support and the environment on the team, that we're all here for each other," Brown said. "We're going to be here for our teammates and we'll be teammates first. And that's the kind of program I want to play for."
Brown said it was a pretty easy decision to pick softball over her other two sports she excelled in: basketball and soccer. Brown has been playing softball the longest. Brown is expected to bring versatility to the Cougar lineup, a trait that has served Gering well throughout her high school career.
In her senior season, Brown anchored the shortstop position while also seeing time behind the plate. She put up massive numbers last fall, batting .495 with 39 runs scored, 42 RBIs, 12 doubles, two triples, and five home runs. Most impressively, she struck out only five times in 95 at-bats while leading Gering to a 20-12 record.
Beyond her family, Brown is expecting plenty of community support when she makes the short trip across the river bridge next season.
"I think it's huge having my family in the area because then I'm going to have that much more support," Brown said. "I've had a lot of like teachers come up to me and they're like great, we're going to go buy some merchandise. So, I know that I'm going to have a lot more support here."
While she follows in a long line of Bulldogs to have played softball at the college, she is also following in the footsteps of her high school coach Zach Ostergard, who played baseball for WNCC in 2012 and 2013. Brown admitted she'd love to one-up her coach's collegiate legacy.
"Oh, I'd love to beat him," she said. "I'd love to have a better record and have a better legacy than him. That'd be awesome."
Ostergard, a North Platte native, praised her impact, noting that her success over the past four years has prepared her for a successful college career. To stay sharp, Brown plans to spend her summer training with her long-time coaches.
"I'm not playing for a team, but I will be working with the coach and my high school coach said that he'd help me out, so I'll be putting in the work," she said.