By Jim Hague
It always helps when a college athlete comes from an athletic family.
Rutgers-Newark freshman pitcher/infielder Jackie Lara was blessed that her father, Charlie, was a standout football player at Memorial High School in West New York, N.J.
“It definitely helped,” Lara said. “He made me more competitive.”
That drive and spirit carried over to Jackie’s older sister of five years, Jenna, who played softball and volleyball at Ridgefield Memorial High School and later played volleyball at Richard Stockton College.
“I looked up to her,” Lara said. “I wanted to copy what she was doing.”
So, when Jenna Lara went to softball clinics and pitching seminars, Jackie tagged along.
“I went to a lot of her pitching lessons,” Lara said. “That’s how it all started for me. I was off on the side and wanting to copy what Jenna was doing. We had a competitive and athletic lifestyle.”
By the time Lara hit seventh grade, she knew that she had the makings of becoming a fine softball player, both toeing the rubber and at the plate.
“I went for hitting lessons twice a week and went to pitching lessons twice a week,” Lara said, “I started to pick up my pitching more. I started to get the hang of it.”
Lara certainly did that and more, eventually becoming a three-time All-Bergen County and All-Group II honoree in softball at Ridgefield Memorial. Lara played volleyball, basketball and softball in high school, but decided to concentrate on softball in college.
Enter Kristen Hunt. The head softball coach at Rutgers-Newark had a huge need at pitcher, considering Kelly Yusko and Morgan Walizer had graduated.
Hunt was familiar with Lara through her affiliation with the New Jersey Heist, the successful travel AAU program. Hunt currently serves as an assistant coach with the Heist.
When Hunt became the head coach at Rutgers-Newark four years ago, she made recruiting Lara a priority.
“I knew that she would become one of the most important players in our program,” Hunt said. “I knew that she could grow with the program. I like having versatile players. Jackie can pitch, but she can also hit, and she can play third base.”
Lara was very interested in Rutgers-Newark for a few reasons. Of course, there was the relationship she had developed with Hunt.
“I knew that they had two senior pitchers, but I didn’t know whether I would get starting time,” Lara said, “I just knew that I had to work hard. I really liked Coach K when I first met her.”
The other reason why Lara selected Rutgers-Newark was the school’s excellent nursing program.
“I always wanted to become a nurse,” Lara said.
Lara’s mother, June, is a respiratory therapist, so Lara has been around the medical field almost as much as she’s been exposed to athletics.
It didn’t take long for Lara to fit in as a softball player with the Scarlet Raiders.
“She’s our No. 3 hitter in the lineup,” Hunt said. “She’s the kind of player who doesn’t say ‘No.’ She’s willing to do anything. She’s also very open to criticism. She’s fine being a starter or being a reliever. She’s just a pitcher, but she’s very consistent.”
Lara has already made an impact with the Scarlet Raiders. In the early going of the season, Lara has posted a 4-3 record with a strong 3.10 earned run average over 12 appearances. Her performance has earned her one New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Rookie of the Week award.
Hunt likes what she sees so far from her talented freshman.
“She has a very high softball IQ,” Hunt said. “She’s very smart. She’s also always smiling and very respectful. She’s also quiet. She’s just a really good kid. I’m happy we have her.”
Lara isn’t about to rest on her instant laurels.
“I have to prove that I belong here,” Lara said. “I have to keep pitching, keep hitting my spots. I just want to keep the success going. Doing this well early, winning this honor (Rookie of the Week) really boosts my confidence. It’s like it turned on a switch in my head, knowing I could do it.”
And Lara received the best compliment a little sister could ever get.
“Jenna has been so encouraging to me,” Lara said. “She always tells me, ‘You’re now better than me.’ It means so much to me.”
And having Lara for three more seasons means a lot to Hunt.
“She’s going to be fun to watch,” Hunt said. “We’re so young. We only have one senior (outfielder Samantha Hoffman), so I think the future looks bright.”
Sure is bright, as long as Jackie Lara has the ball in her hands.
