Will finish her high school career this spring with Chester Lady Jacket Track and Field Team
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Chester High School senior, Jazzi Merideth, has been recruited to be a part of the Missouri Baptist Track and Field program next year. Merideth signed a letter of intent Friday January 12 at Chester High School James F. Sharp Cafeteria at a 4: 30 p.m. ceremony. CHS Athletic Director, Jennifer Cartwright was Master of Ceremonies for the event.
Merideth, a four-sport athlete at CHS is quite popular with her classmates and fellow sports teammates. Therefore, there was a rather large group of fellow students that attended her ceremony. Everyone wanted to wish her well and join the celebration of her being recruited to compete on the Missouri Baptist Track and Field Team next year as a freshman.
The group of attendees included the entire CHS Lady Jacket Basketball Team, several members of Jazzi’s CHS Track and Field Team, many of the members of her CHS Cheerleading Team, and several of the members of her Lady Jacket Volleyball Team. The CHS Boys Basketball Team also came to support her.
In addition, Jazzi’s Mother, Christy Otten and Brother Jordan Merideth, a former CHS athletic standout, sat by her side throughout the signing ceremony.
Current CHS coaches were on hand to support Jazzi including Track and Field Coach, Jennifer Cartwright, Basketball Coach, Jeff Mott, and Cheer Coach, Danielle Laramore.
Principal Jeremy Blechle and Assistant Principal Robin Barton contributed to the ceremony by both being there for support and posing with Jazzi following the ceremony for publicity photos.
Spartans Head Coach, David Lee, attended the event and was quite excited to be getting Merideth as a new recruit for his squad next season. When asked if he had specific plans for Jazzi, Lee said. “Jazzi is quite athletic and can be used for a variety of events, in both the track and field areas.”
“We may have her running hurdles, jumping in long jump or triple jump, or even competing in the pentathlon. At this point it is uncertain. We are just very happy to be getting her and will decide how to use her many talents once we get her up there and in our program. She will hit the weight room and get into collegiate shape so that her versatility will be broadened. She is very athletic and can compete in several areas.”
At Chester High School Merideth has been a key player in fall volleyball, winter basketball and spring track and field. Add in cheerleading and she keeps very busy in CHS Athletics. And, she is not just a participant in these sports, she is a key contributor in each sport!
Missouri Baptist University is a private evangelical Christian, co-educational university. It is located in Creve Coeur Missouri, which is in western St. Louis County. Until 2002, the school was called Missouri Baptist College. In 2002 it was re-named Missouri Baptist University and is one of three universities in the Southern Baptist Convention.
Missouri Baptist had an enrollment of 5,600 students in fall of 2023. The school offers 71 undergraduate and graduate degrees. The main campus at Creve Coeur is in West County has 68 acres. There are also several satellite campuses in the greater St. Louis area. These campuses offer 30-plus adult education courses and the opportunity to learn in evening classes.
Missouri Baptist University competes in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). Their mascot is the Spartans and most Missouri Baptist sports compete in the American Midwest Conference (AMC).
The average cost at MoBap is $23,000 per year. The average graduation rate is 55%. The average acceptance rate is 62%. Grants and scholarships from the institution, State of Missouri and from the Federal Government can assist greatly with the costs of attending Missouri Baptist University.
Jazzi’s Basketball Coach, Jeff Mott said, “Jazzi is a great kid. I have had the privilege of coaching her on and off since Jr. High. She is an athlete that gives everything she has to every sport she plays. Nobody is harder on Jazzi than Jazzi. I know she will do great at MoBap because she won’t accept anything else.”
CHS Head Girl’s Track and Field Coach, Jenny Cartwright said, “I am especially proud of Jazzi for deciding to continue her track career at Missouri Baptist. Over the last three years she has acquired many awards such as Conference Champion, All South selection, State Track qualifier, and numerous other championships.”
“She has a great future ahead of her in both the classroom and on the track. She is very dedicated to her sport and talented and successful in many events. I look forward to watching her compete at the collegiate level, but first in one more season at CHS!”
Miss Merideth is an exceptional student and is involved in many activities at CHS. She is a member of the Student Council, Spanish Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the HIVE Pep Club, and the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) organization.
Her sophomore and junior years in track and field she was a Cahokia Conference “All-Conference” honoree. She last year as a junior she qualified to compete at the State Track and Field Meet in the 100-meter hurdles, and she was the Track and Field MVP.
In addition to track and field, Jazzi plays volleyball and basketball and is on the CHS Cheerleading Team. In her spare time, Jazzi enjoys being with friends or playing recreational sports.
Miss Merideth said, “I am going to Missouri Baptist University to study Exercise Science and I hope to become a Physical Therapist. I would like to work with some of the Athletic Trainers to get more experience while I am in college.”
“My coach says I might be running the hurdles, short sprints, and possibly the 800-meter in track events and might possibly do the triple jump or long jump in field events.”
Jazzi’s Mother, Christy Otten said, “I’m very proud of Jazzi and all of her accomplishments, academically and athletically. She loves all sports, but has always had a little more love for track. It has always been her favorite sport.”
“Jazz has run track for eight years, including her current senior year. She started running track in 5th grade at St. John Lutheran School. She continues throughout her years in high school at CHS.”
“I’m looking forward to her academic and athletic experiences at Missouri Baptist University. The school stood out to me for its dedication to the students. It is fairly close to home. That’s a good thing for Mom!”
Sparta Head Coach, David Lee said, “I am really excited to see Jazzi fulfill her full potential. I already know her and trust her. It will be interesting to tap into her potential and see what she can to once she adjusts to collegiate track and field.”
Chester High School senior Jazzi Merideth signs a letter of intent to compete for the Missouri Baptist University Track and Field Spartans. With Jazzi is her Brother, Jordan Merideth and her Mother Christy Otten. Jim Beers Photo
The billboard at Chester High School proudly announces Jazzi Merideth’s signing event Friday January 12. Jim Beers Photo
Jazzi Merideth, a Chester High School senior, signs a letter of intent to compete on the Missouri Baptist University Track and Field Team next fall when Jazzi will begin her studies to become a Physical Therapist. With Merideth are her Mother, Christy Otten and Brother, Jordan Merideth. Sanding in back are her Chester High School Coach, Jenny Cartwright and her future Missouri Baptist University Coach, David Lee. Jim Beers Photo
Jazzi Merideth poses for a photo with members of her Lady Jacket Volleyball Team at her signing event Friday January 12 at CHS. Jim Beers Photo
Jazzi Merideth of Chester High School poses for a photo with her CHS Track and Field Coach, Jenny Cartwright, and fellow members of her Lady Jacket Track and Field Team Friday January 12. The occasion was Jazzi’s signing event to compete next year at Missouri Baptist University on the Spartans Track and Field Team. Jim Beers Photo
Jazzi Merideth poses with her CHS Cheer Squad and Coach Danielle Laramore, at Jazzi’s signing event to officially announce that she will join the Missouri Baptist University Track and Field Team next year. Jim Beers Photo
The entire CHS Lady Jacket Basketball Team was on hand Friday January 12 when teammate Jazzi Merideth signed a letter of intent to compete on the Missouri Baptist University Track and Field Team. The Basketball Lady Jackets were there to lend full support for Jazzi in her efforts to compete at the collegiate level. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School Administrators Jeremy Blechle, Principal (left) and Assistant Principal Robin Barton (right) were on hand to demonstrate full support for senior Jazzi Merideth when she signed her letter of intent to join the Missouri Baptist University Track and Field Team next fall when she attends MoBap to study Physical Therapy. Jim Beers Photo