His passion for the game of baseball keeps Bellevue West High School senior Jaxon Jelkin focused and willing to sacrifice to reach his goals. After graduation, he’s pursuing his baseball and academic goals at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, AZ. “Being able to continue to play the sport I love at the next level is a dream come true,” he said. “My ultimate goals are to play Division I level baseball and hopefully have the opportunity to pitch at the next level after college.” Bellevue West Varsity baseball coach Jason Shockey said, “I have really seen a bigtime growth in him as both a player and as a person. He has worked extremely hard both on and off the field to put himself in a position to go on and have success playing at the next level.”
Jelkin got the spark for baseball at an early age. “I started playing baseball as soon as I was old enough to understand the game. At a young age my dad was a high school baseball coach and taught me everything I now know about the game. My earliest memories playing baseball were when my two grandmas would watch me hit balls off the tee in the backyard and pretend to run around the bases.” He comes by the love of the game honestly as his dad, Bill, played baseball for Millard South High School and University of Nebraska Kearney.
At age 11, Jelkin’s select baseball team won the USSSA Major State championship, but that same year he was also diagnosed with a rare disease called juvenile arthritis. The disease affects the joints of his body but is controlled with medication. “Dealing with this condition has taught me perseverance and fight.” He’s self-motivated to overcome this obstacle when it comes to baseball, “because I have so much fun playing it. My love and passion for the game motivates me to excel in the weight room and on the field.”
His parents, Bill and Kathy Jelkin, are thrilled that his hard work and sacrifice have made it possible for him to play baseball at South Mountain Community College. Bill said, “We know that if he shows the same dedication he has to this point, he undoubtedly will find success.”
