Washington’s Jackson Rico
Washington High School senior Jackson Rico has built his baseball career on faith, family and a relentless work ethic, emerging as one of the Warriors’ most steady competitors on the mound and in the clubhouse.
Rico, a pitcher and multi-sport athlete for Washington, said the culture around the program is a driving force behind the team’s success. “Everyone is bought in,” Rico said. “We all fell in love with the process and get after it every day. We all love Jesus too.”
His foundation starts at home, where his father set the standard for effort and character. “My dad inspires me to work hard and never stop grinding,” Rico said. “He always pushes me and sets a great example of the man I want to become.”
On the mound, Rico embraces the mental side of pitching as much as the physical. “I pitch, the hardest thing about pitching to me is having a short memory, being able to forget previous mistakes and focus only on the next pitch,” he said. “It can be a mental game with yourself.”
Rico’s favorite baseball memory came during his junior season, when he delivered in a high-pressure playoff moment. “My favorite moment came from my junior year when I hit a walk off sac fly to beat Silo and advance to the state championship game,” he said.
In the classroom, Rico points to history as his favorite subject and credits teachers such as Mrs. Beller and his third-grade teacher, Mrs. Haynes, for their impact. Away from school and baseball, he enjoys hunting and fishing, spending time with friends and family, and watching football and baseball.
Rico is involved in FCA, NHS, STUCO and Fish Club, and said athletics has shaped his approach to life. “Athletics has taught me that everything you do in life, work hard,” he said. “Be great at all things you choose to do by constantly working at it.”
