Front Row (L to R): BJ McCoy (mother), Jackie McCoy, Jessie McCoy, and Tim McCoy (father)
Back Row (L to R): Lauren Hutt (CHS Assistant XC & Track Coach), Quinn White (Taylor University XC Coach), Josh McCoy (brother) and Jerry Doyle (CHS XC & Girls Track Head Coach)
In front of family, friends, teammates, and coaches Charlestown’s successful running duo, Jackie and Jessie McCoy, recently signed their letter of intent to continue their education and cross country and track at Taylor University.
Most know that the McCoy sisters were very decorated athletes at Charlestown. Both are members of sectional and conference championship teams. They have earned Mid Southern Conference honors, All-Area honors, and many invitational championships. Jackie was a 2-time semi-state qualifier and Jessie was a state finalist and a 2-time All State honorable mention recipient.
Located in Upland, Indiana, Taylor’s influence spans the globe. With 99% of students employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation, the Christian liberal arts approach inspires student-leaders to minister Christ’s redemptive love, grace, and truth to a world in need. A longstanding legacy of excellence inside and outside the classroom has earned Taylor University rankings in the top three Midwest Colleges by U.S. News & World Report for nearly three decades. Taylor Athletics now has 16 intercollegiate athletic teams—including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, track & field, softball, and volleyball. The Taylor University Women’s Cross Country team is currently ranked #1 in NAIA as the reigning 2022 National Champions.
When asked about the decision to attend Taylor University, Jackie said, “Taylor University is a private Christian college and has one of the best science programs in Indiana. I chose Taylor because I love to learn about God and to become a better discipline, and I can do this at Taylor while I study the field I feel led in. I will be going to Taylor to obtain my Bachelor Degree in Biology Health Sciences and along the way be on the Maddawg cross country and track team. I love running, God, and science and Taylor can and will perfectly fulfill all of my aspirations for these things. I cannot wait to join them this coming fall and to see where God might lead me on this new journey.”
Jessie added, “I love running with an emissive passion, but it does not compare to my love for God. I chose Taylor University because of the spiritual foundation and God’s handiwork that is ever present there. The opportunity I have been given to run there was just a gift from God, and I want to use it to hopefully bring glory to him. I am forever thankful to the coaches and administrators at Taylor University, they have been a blessing and another wonderful gift from God.”
Taylor University head coach, Quinn White said, “We are so excited to have Jackie and Jessie at Taylor. Their work ethic, talent, and demeanor fit our culture so well. They will have a wonderful impact on our team the next four years. We wish them the best as they finish off their careers at Charlestown HS. ” In his 12 seasons leading the Taylor women’s cross country program, White has helped the Trojans to a record-setting nine-straight Crossroads League Championships and nine top-20 finishes at the NAIA National Championships. In the last nine seasons, the program has also racked up 55 All-Crossroads League awards and 11 NAIA All-American honors.
Charlestown High School cross country and track coach had this to say: “Jessie and Jackie have been the heart of Pirate Cross Country and Track & Field for the last four years! I will tell any athlete that if they want to be their best, look to Jess and Jackie as an example. Their hard work and dedication to their sport is unparalleled! Together, they have led our cross country program to heights that I never could have imagined! I am not sure that we will ever duplicate the four year stretch that we have had while they have been in our program, leading us to two sectional titles and a conference title, plus numerous meet championships. They will be sorely missed, but I am excited to watch them flourish at the next level!”
The Charlestown High School athletic department and WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulate Jackie & Jessie and wish them a healthy and prosperous future at Taylor.
Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network’s Aiden Stewart.