Jackson McDowell makes the jump from baseball to track

SJU junior Jackson McDowell was familiar with lacing up the cleats for head baseball coach Jerry Haugen as a first-year.

Two years later, McDowell can be seen high-jumping and javelin-throwing inside the doors of the Warner Palestra for the Johnnies track and field team led by head coach Jeremy Karger-Gatzow and jumps coach Joe Vardas.

This year, Jackson has recorded top-20 numbers in the MIAC and as well in the ranks of NCAA Division III track and field. The former pitcher has enjoyed every minute of it.

“The transition has gone very well. I have a lot of great friends on the track team, so being with the guys has been awesome. Track has a lot of technique and has been tough to learn, but it is very rewarding to see the outcome. It’s fun going to every meet knowing you’re going to compete, which is different from being a pitcher in baseball,” McDowell said.

The global business leadership major said he has enjoyed his experience studying abroad in Greece, and the connections he has made while on campus so far.

“St. John’s has been a great experience where I have made lifelong friends and have gotten great opportunities such as studying abroad in Greece. I also really enjoy being a global business leadership major as I have gotten to build connections with professors that will prepare me for my professional career,” McDowell said.

Athletically, Jackson brings a laid-back approach, where he takes advice from fellow Johnnie teammates and Karger-Gatzow.

This approach has shown great success at the Division III level, and Jackson will have the opportunity to compete on the Division I stage on the golden gophers track this week.

“My approach to track has been keeping everything very simple because I am so new to the sport. A big focus for me has been to listen to my coaches and even some of my competitors to learn as much as possible and really be sure to give every event my all. I have been fortunate to find success within track with the help of my friends and coaches,” McDowell said.

Vardas has worked closely with McDowell on his transition from the ball field to the track, especially being the main point of contact for all of the jumps events this season.

“I met Jackson his freshman year as he was friends with a group of guys on the track team. I asked him about throwing javelin then but learned he was into baseball. When he joined us in January, I naturally thought he would throw javelin, considering he was a pitcher,” Vardas said.

After excelling in javelin, the coaching staff noticed that with his height and speed that McDowell would be a great addition to the group of SJU jumpers.

This has shown to be a very smooth transition as of recent. McDowell is ranked No. 12 in Division III in the high jump category. Two weekends ago, at the Minnesota State Mankato Invitational, he jumped 2.05 meters to move to the top of the NCAA Division III Outdoor Qualifying list.

Alongside his individual achievements, he also made his mark on St. John’s University track and field history ranking fourth in outdoor high jump.

“As we were doing some plyometric training for the javelin, I saw he could jump. With his 6-foot 5-inch stature, the high jump was a natural fit. At his first meet his technique was pretty raw, but he showed his potential. He has been diligently practicing and perfecting his technique and is currently ranked 12th in the nation at 6’-8 ¾. The top-20 jumpers go to nationals, but that list will change over the next month,” Vardas said.

The Johnnies have placed in the top three at Division II Minnesota State Mankato. SJU also competed in the Hamline Invitational, along with traveling to California to take part in the Azusa Pacific Bryan Clay Invitational on April 12-13.

On Wednesday at the Gary Wilson Invitational, McDowell jumped 2.01 meters, finishing first in the high jump. He also finished 13th in the javelin throw with a distance of 39.66 meters. SJU will travel to Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter to compete in the Drake Alternative on April 27.