WINNEMUCCA - Ever since she picked up a softball as a young child, Lowry High School's Jordan Mecham has had just one dream - play college softball someday.
The Lady Buckaroo senior will get that opportunity after signing a letter of intent to play for Dodge City Community College in Dodge City, Kan.
"Ever since I was 7 years old, I wanted to play college softball," Mecham said. "I am so happy that I will get the chance to do it. I have been in Winnemucca all my life and I am looking forward to going someplace else and meeting new people. Change is good and moving to a new place is just what I need. It's a chance to build new relationships."
Mecham has been one of the more overpowering pitchers in the Division I-A North throughout her high school career. In her junior season, she was named to the Ruby Mountain League first team as a pitcher and she also garnered first-team, all-state honors as a pitcher.
A season ago, Mecham was 12-3 with a 1.57 ERA as she helped the Lady Bucks to their first state championship game since the 2007 season. Lowry, who finished 18-13 overall and 12-3 in the Ruby Mountain League, eventually lost to Churchill County in the state title game. Mecham struck out 64 batters last year and walked 24.
She has already surpassed her strikeout total of last year, with more than a month to go in this season.
Mecham said she had offers from other schools in California, but fell in love with Dodge City quickly. She made a recruiting trip to the school, where she met the coaching staff and players of the Conquistadors.
"It was a very nice and intimate campus," Mecham said. "I loved the campus from the first time I saw. Everyone was welcoming and I got a chance to practice with the team."
Dodge City is a member of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. Other schools include Allen, Coffeyville, Cowley, Fort Scott, Highland, Independence, Johnson County, Kansas City Kansas, Labette and Neosho make up the East Division.
Along with Dodge City, Barton, Butler, Cloud County, Colby, Garden City, Hutchinson, Pratt and Seward comprise the West Division.
As of March 21, Dodge City was 10-11 on the season. The Conquistadors are coached by Howie Smith and Annie Romanello. There are just two girls from Nevada listed on the roster and both are from schools in the Las Vegas area.
Mecham said she signed up with NCSA (National Collegiate Scouting Association) and that is how Dodge City found her. The senior recommends the service to others who are interested in playing college sports.
Mecham said she is going to study criminal justice and wants to be a police officer.
"I wanted to study criminal justice since I was a little girl and they have a great criminal justice program," Mecham added. "I got a chance to meet the Dean. I want to do patrol right now. After I move on from Dodge City and get my masters at a larger school, I want to move to Los Angeles and be a patrol cop there."
Mecham added she is not that nervous about the move to college softball, but looking forward to what is ahead of her.
"I am looking forward to improving and expanding my horizons," she said. "I have been stuck in this town forever. It is cool to see others are just as passionate about softball as I am. Everything is softball for me. It was a big awakening for me when I went out there. You think you are one of the best here and you go out there and it is a different story."[[In-content Ad]]
