Jalyn Shepherd '24 Recruiting Profile

Ever since I was little, I have enjoyed competing in sports.  Competing is in my blood I guess you could say.  My mom and dad are both collegiate athletes who got scholarships out of high school and my brother played football at Montana State.  My parents did a really good job of exposing my siblings and I at an early age to all sorts of sports. Growing up in Wyoming, playing a lot of different sports was a way to stay in touch with your friends from school during the summertime.  It also gives you more opportunities to meet other kids from different schools here locally that you don't meet until junior high or high school.  

As a kid I followed in my mom's footsteps and fell in love with volleyball.  Up until recently, I thought that was going to be my sport going forward in life.  My dad coaches and teaches at my high school and one day in the weight room with him changed my plans for college.  My dad has helped push me to set the squat record for girls and I am closing in on the bench press record as well. While lifting one morning, a track coach noticed me and really pushed me to try out for the team because he thought it would be a good way to stay active after volleyball season.  I am so glad he did because I have not looked back since.   

Going into my senior year now, I have decided to skip volleyball and focus solely on track.  My dad helps me with my workout plans weekly so that I can achieve my goals of playing in college. This year I have both the indoor and outdoor state records for shot in my sights. Ultimately my short-term goal is to leave Thunder Basin HS as a State champ and record holder.  

I have attended throwing camps every summer now and just recently won an MVP award for the girls glide at Iron Wood in Coeur d'Alene, ID.  Getting noticed by college coaches there has really shown that I can compete at the next level.  I am very much looking forward to what the future holds in college and pursuing my dreams of getting my degree.