JCSB Highlights MK8 Softball District Champs
By: Shelia Mader
The Jackson County School Board took time Tuesday evening to recognize a truly special group of student-athletes: the Marianna K-8 Middle School softball team, the 2025–26 undefeated district champions. What unfolded during the meeting was more than a routine acknowledgment. It was a celebration of one of the most dominant runs the program has ever seen.
Superintendent Hunter Nolen introduced the team, inviting longtime coach Jamie Goodwin to step forward and share the story behind the season.
Goodwin, who has spent more than a decade building the program, did not hesitate to put this team into perspective.
“This is my 11th year doing this,” Goodwin said. “And this is by far my most dominant team I’ve ever had. And that’s saying a lot.”
The numbers back that up in a way that’s hard to ignore.
Marianna K-8 finished the season with a perfect 22-0 record. Even more impressive was how they got there. Over those 22 games, they outscored opponents by a staggering margin of 247 runs to just 19. That kind of differential doesn’t just reflect talent. It points to consistency, discipline, and a group that never let up.
Goodwin noted that even compared to past standout teams, including those featuring high-level players from years prior, this group stood apart.
To fully understand the scope of their success, you have to look beyond just this season.
The eighth-grade class, which formed the core of this year’s squad, leaves Marianna K-8 with a combined three-year record of 60 wins and just 5 losses. Over that stretch, they didn’t just win games. They built a culture of excellence that carried forward year after year.
“That’s a fantastic group that we’re sending up to the high school next year,” Goodwin said.
While the stats tell one story, another theme came through clearly during the recognition: team chemistry.
This year’s group wasn’t just dominant on paper. According to those close to the program, the bond between the players was as strong as it’s ever been. That connection showed up in how they played, how they supported each other, and how they handled success.
It’s often said that great teams find ways to win. This team made winning look routine, and much of that came from how well they functioned together.
In closing, Principal Jessica Larkin praised the team, “I would just like to say, and Superintendent, these aren't just superstar athletes that you're looking at. These are the kind of students that we want to build our district on. We round up the 1,700 kids at Mariana K-8. We see a lot of kids in the office. These girls are passing all their classes. They don't have any office discipline referrals. They come to school every day on time, ready to work. And they set the example for the rest of the students. We are so proud to have them walking our halls, sitting in our seats, and modeling the kind of student-athletes and students and all-around good citizens. They also travel with a fierce group of parent supporters. So yeah, that's a that's a big part of their success is the support that they have behind the scenes. I want you to know, from your principal, from your school, from your coaches, how very, very proud of we of you that we are and not just because you're good athletes. You're great kids.”
From the dugout to the field, the chemistry translated into clean execution, unselfish play, and a confidence that never wavered.
The school board’s recognition highlighted not just a championship season, but a sustained run of excellence that will likely have an impact for years to come. As these players move on to the high school level, they carry with them not only an undefeated season, but the experience of being part of something rare.
For Marianna K-8, this team sets a new standard. For Jackson County softball, it marks the arrival of a group that has already proven it knows how to win and how to do it together.
