Jackson Academy athletes (from left) Noah Thigpen, Olivia Stringer, Edwin Smith, and Jack Gnam indicated their intent to play college sports at a signing ceremony November 8 in the Learning Commons.
Noah Thigpen
Noah Thigpen of Jackson will join the baseball team at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Noah has earned accolades in baseball and football at JA. He was named the ninth grade football Best Offensive player and was a member of the varsity baseball team. As a sophomore, Noah was named a Clarion Ledger top performer once in baseball and twice in football. As a junior, he was a member of the varsity football team and voted offensive MVP twice during the regular season. Also, Noah was voted 1st team MAIS All-Conference, 1st team MAIS All-State, and helped lead JA to the 2017 MAIS Baseball State Championship runner-up finish.
Olivia Stringer
Olivia Stringer of Jackson signed on to play volleyball at Birmingham Southern. During her volleyball career at JA she has achieved 428 kills, 33 blocks, 271 digs, 164 aces, and 450 receptions. She is a member of the Lady Raiders volleyball team that has achieved four back-to-back MAIS State Championships.
Edwin Smith
Edwin Smith of Ridgeland has been recognized for his performance in a number of travel teams including the 2018 Graduate WWBA National Championship All-Tournament Team 2017, the 2017 NABF 18U World Series World Championship Team, the 2018 Graduate NABF 18U World Series All-tournament team, the 2017 State Games of Mississippi Championship team, the 2017 NABF 17U World Series Jackson Championship Team, the 2017 NABF 17U World Series Jackson Championship All-tournament team, and the 2018 Graduate WWBA Perfect Game Champions 2016. A 2017 team captain, Edwin was also a member of the 2015 MAIS Baseball State Championship team. Edwin will join the baseball team at Meridian Community College.
Jack Gnam
Jack Gnam of Ridgeland, who has played varsity golf for JA since seventh grade, is the No. 1 ranked junior in Mississippi for the Class of 2018. He has been on the Mississippi Preps All State team for 2015, 2016, and 2017. He has a 72 overall high school scoring average. Jack earned a spot on the golf team at the University of Mississippi.
Video provided by JA Raider Network.
