Interview with Janessa Jasso, Pitcher, Dos Palos HS by Kevin Arias-Romero, Editor-in-Chief, WSL athletics & WSL Contributor, Pagmeter

KR: How did you react when you got your 1,000^th strikeout versus rivals Mendota?

JJ: I was super excited as it was one of my goals that I set for myself my freshman year. It was a really big moment for me and I was grateful to share it with my teammates, coaches, friends, and family.

KR: It’s your last regular season as a Dos Palos Bronco and off for one more valley title chase. How are you feeling about all of this?

JJ: Well we are taking it one game at a time and we’ve always lost in the semifinals, but this year we are a mentally tougher squad and we just have to focus on the game in front of us and not look far ahead. We just need to produce run and play defense…basically play Dos Palos Lady Broncos Softball just as we’ve have been doing all season long.

KR: Mendota, Coalinga, Firebaugh have all been there and have won it all…when will it be Dos Palos’ turn and how would it feel leaving Dos Palos as a valley champion as you make your way to Iowa State?

JJ: The past four years to be honest I didn’t think we would make it there let alone go as far as we have but we’ve been working really hard towards the goal these past four years and with this year being my final run at it I would like to get there just as much as my teammates want to be there but we still want to take it one game at a time.

KR: What are your most unforgettable moments in your time as a Dos Palos Bronco?

JJ: Getting along with everyone especially the coaching staff, Coach Barrantes has been like a second mom and well the teammates that have turned into friendships since my freshman year with whom I still keep in touch with and the moments that I’ve made with them I’ll never forget and get back.

KR: How will it feel once you start playing college ball in one of the toughest conferences in the country which the top five are, PAC-12, Big 12, Big 10, ACC, and SEC. Do you feel mentally and physically prepared to face off against the top schools in the country?

JJ: I’ve noticed in the past 3-4 years I’ve played to the team’s level and I’ve shown up and come through for my team against tougher opponents and I’ve been ready this whole time.

Janessa Jasso in her four year career at Dos Palos High has recorded 1,109 strikeouts which puts her 2^nd in the CIF Central Section All-Time Career Strikeout joining the likes of Amanda Scott (Clovis, 1992-1996) and Marissa Marzan (Bullard 1998-2001). Her 24 wins her senior year was tied for 4^th in the state and 329 strikeouts her senior year was 1^st in the state. She finished her career with an 86-11 record and a 0.69 ERA, was named WSL MVP and earned City/County & Livingston All-Star Selections on top of being member of the now four straight WSL Champs Dos Palos Broncos. She now turns her attention to college ball as she heads off to Ames, Iowa to join Coach Jamie Pinkerton and his staff for The Iowa State Cyclones out of the Big 12 which included national champions Oklahoma. She is one of two pitchers that the Cyclones have recruited for the upcoming season along with Karlie Charles of The Colony HS, The Colony, Texas where she recorded a 78-7 career record with 566 Strikeouts as her team finished 1^st in the 5A District 8 League 40-5 overall and 12-0 in District Play and lost in the 5A State Semifinals. Both will replace the current pitching staff that has since graduated.

Coach Pinkerton has this to say about Janessa Jasso and I Quote “Janessa Jasso is a kid that hits her spots really well and changes speeds. She comes out of the Bat Busters organization and has had a great high school career. She and Karlie Charles will complement each other really well in what they do for the pitching staff. She’ll help us with the loss of our current pitchers Emma Hylen and Savannah Sanders to graduation.”

Janessa Jasso is one of the most humble players I’ve met in my time at WSL Athletics and I know that she along with Sydney Kuma (Washington Union HS, Georgia Commit) will make their families proud, their coaches proud and their communities proud. I want to leave them with this piece of advice, Never forget where you came from, Never forget your roots and be true to yourselves and you’ll have a long a successful lives. Good Luck Janessa and represent the WSL, Dos Palos, California and your family well.