Four sports in four years helped earn Megan Jacobsen the Outstanding Senior Female Athlete of the Year at Powell High School during the year-end athletic awards which were presented during the senior recognition ceremony in May.

“It was really special to be named senior athlete of the year because there are so many amazing athletes in my grade who deserved it just as much or more than me,” Jacobsen said. “I was really surprised when they announced my name. I am truly honored that they chose me for that award, and it made me feel really good to know all of my hard work had paid off.”

MULTI-SPORT ATHLETE

Jacobsen spent a lot of time both on the hardwood and out in the community running throughout her four years, accumulating a large amount of miles in the process.

Jacobsen participated in volleyball and basketball her freshman year before her first track and field season was canceled due to COVID-19.

Her sophomore year Jacobsen made the jump to varsity experience in both volleyball and basketball, while getting on the track for the first time in her high school career.

Jacobsen was part of the winning 4x400 relay team, alongside placing on the 4x800 relay, sprint medley relay and top eight in the 800 meters for the Panthers that helped secure the team’s first team state championship since 1992.

“Through each of the sports I played, I learned a lot of valuable life lessons,” Jacobsen said. “Something I continued to learn each year throughout each sport was confidence.”

In her junior year Jacobsen continued to excel in each sport, playing and learning at a high level of varsity competition in all three.

“In volleyball, I had to learn to move past mistakes and believe in myself which improved my mental toughness a lot,” Jacobsen said. “In basketball, I learned that it didn’t matter if I was the best player on the court, it only mattered if I was giving it all the heart and hustle I could.”

She was part of another state championship winning team for track, winning the 4x400 once again while being a part of the 1600 sprint medley, 4x800 and placing in the 800.

Heading into her senior season Jacobsen decided to take a leap, switching to another running sport — participating in cross country instead of volleyball in the fall.

“Joining cross country my senior year was scary, but I learned that change can be really good and that I can do harder things than I ever thought I could,” Jacobsen said.

She ended up being one of the top runners for the Panthers, placing 41st and helping Powell end a more than decade long drought without a trophy at the state meet.

Jacobsen returned to the hardwood in the winter, helping the Panthers again end a trophy drought — winning the consolation bracket and bringing home the first trophy for Powell girls basketball since 2018.

That continued into the spring, where the Panthers once again won a title while Jacobsen was a prominent part of the winning 4x800 relay, alongside the 4x400, sprint medley relay and the 800, which Jacobsen placed in once again.

“Track is my favorite sport, and I have learned so much through it,” Jacobsen said. “I learned to trust myself and my abilities, as well as my coaches. In the end, through each season, I learned that working hard no matter the circumstance is what matters most and I can take that through the rest of my life.”

FAVORITE MEMORIES

Jacobsen has made a lot of memories over the years throughout her various sports.

She has been a part of three state championships for PHS, creating some especially special memories her senior year — proving to herself that all of her hard work had paid off.

“My dreams from when I was a little kid came true,” Jacobsen said.

She said that beating Pinedale in the consolation finals at state basketball was one of her favorite memories.

“It was my first time ever playing at state basketball and it was really special to end my senior year on a win,” Jacobsen said.

During her junior and senior years Jacobsen got a rare opportunity to compete alongside her sister Kenna in volleyball, cross country, basketball and track.

“It was really special to get to compete with my sister these past two years,” Jacobsen said. “She is my best friend and I don’t know what I would do without her. We push each other to be the best version of ourselves and she has always been there to pick me up when I need it. Not everyone is as lucky as me to get to compete alongside their best friend, and not everyone is lucky to have such an amazing sister as I do.”

Kenna will be able to continue competing with another Jacobsen next year, as their younger sister Ashlee will be a freshman at PHS this fall.

COACH IMPACT, ADVICE AND FUTURE PLANS

Throughout her high school career Jacobsen has had a number of coaches who have helped her along the way.

She said that coaches Ashley Hildebrand and Tracy McArthur, who coached her both in cross country and track and field, had a large impact on her life.

“They have believed in me during times I haven’t believed in myself, and they have truly pushed me to be the best version of myself in all aspects of my life,” Jacobsen said. “They will always be some of my favorite people and I know they would do anything for me.”

Jacobsen said that she will miss the teammates she has had and all the memories they have made, saying they have become like a family over the years.

She leaves behind a strong legacy, and wants younger athletes to continue working hard to reach their goals as a Panther.

“My words of encouragement to younger athletes at PHS is to always work as hard as you can no matter what and leave every practice, game or race with no regrets,” Jacobsen said. “You’ll never fail if you are giving it your all.”

She said that she just plans on attending college for school, opting not to continue her competitive career.

“I decided that I am ready to move on to a new chapter of my life and just enjoy sports for fun,” Jacobsen said. “I am excited for the future and I can’t wait to see how it will all turn out.”