ROCKINGHAM — The most difficult part about Jakerra Covington’s decision to pursue college track and field was keeping her announcement a secret for two weeks.
But the tension was eased as the standout Lady Raider student-athlete was all smiles Friday after school during her National Letter of Intent signing ceremony held outdoors in front of Richmond Senior High School.
When she walked up to the signing table wearing a North Carolina State University t-shirt, the secret was out. Covington was swarmed by friends, family members, teammates, coaches and classmates in celebration.
“A lot of people found out I was signing, and it was so hard to keep my choice a secret,” Covington said. “I told people what sport I was going for, and everyone kept asking. But I’m really glad it all worked out.”
The reason behind her surprise unveil, Covington said, was to have all of those people important in her life find out and celebrate together.
“I wanted it to be a surprise because growing up, I never expected myself to go and play a sport at a big school like N.C. State,” Covington explained. “This shows my hard work paid off and for everyone to be excited for me, that was really special.
“It was a really emotional afternoon, and it means a lot to see so many people care,” she added. “Since COVID hit, I haven’t been able to do what I love as much. Today made me realize that this is actually happening and I have to continue to work hard because so many people are cheering me on.”
Family, friends, coaches and classmates look on as Jakerra Covington signed her National Letter of Intent to N.C. State on Friday. (Kyle Pillar)
A multi-sport athlete at Richmond, Covington was a varsity starter on the basketball team all four years and was also a two-year varsity player for the volleyball program. She earned all-conference honors in both sports several times.
Choosing to pursue track at N.C. State wasn’t an easy decision, as she had several other offers and interest from schools all over the country. Covington also had opportunities to play college volleyball.
Covington was considering signing with South Carolina State University, where her older brother and former star Raider running back Jaheim Covington plays football. But she was going through some old assignments and saw that she had written N.C. State as a school she wanted to attend, and took it as a sign to be the right school to attend.
Add in the persistence and genuine interest from Tom Wood, the Wolfpack’s 30-year veteran multi-events coach, which also helped Covington make her final decision. Since her sophomore year, Covington and Wood have been in contact about her joining the Atlantic Coast Conference program.
“It was really emotional for me to let those other sports go, but my goal is to be in the Olympics,” Covington said. “That’s what really narrowed my decision down.
“Coach Wood never stopped communicating with me and he checked up on me during the pandemic,” she continued. “And not just about the sport, but also about how I was doing. That showed me he cared and made me realize this was the type of program I wanted to be a part of.”
For Richmond, Covington has been a model student-athlete with a 4.167 GPA and a member of the National Honor Society. She was also the Midwest Regional champion in the high jump in 2019, and holds the school’s record in that event at 5 feet, 6 inches.
Other accolades during her track and field career at Richmond include: first-team all-state in the 4x100-meter relay (2019), first-team all-region in the 4x100-meter relay, 4x200-meter relay and high jump (2019) and she’s run in multiple state championship meets.
Covington was also part of the first Richmond team to participate in the 2019 New Balance Outdoor Nationals, which head coach Reggie Miller called “the high school Olympics for track and field.”
“Jakerra’s signing says a lot about our program,” Miller said. “This is our biggest signing since 1982 when Kathy Ormsby signed with N.C. State. This is big for Jakerra and I think she’ll make an impact because she’s so multiple.
“She’s one of our best sprinters and jumpers, and now she can throw,” he added. “Her leadership, hard work, determination and commitment are all intangibles that will make her successful.”
Jakerra Covington smiles as she holds up the N.C. State Wolfpack sign during her signing ceremony. (Kyle Pillar)
This spring, a minor leg injury has limited Covington’s participation, but she’s impressed in several events, including the shot put. New to the event, Covington won the shot put in her debut with a distance of 32 feet.
At N.C. State, she anticipates competing in the 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter relays, as well as the high jump and long jump. Wood mentioned running hurdles, which is another new event Covington is open to.
“I’m excited to see new competition and know I’m not going to be No. 1,” Covington said. “There are going to be a lot of really good athletes so I just want to go out and try to improve myself.”
While she knows her future is bright in Raleigh and will be soon competing for an N.C. State team that is gearing up for the 2021 NCAA Regionals, Covington said her time as a Lady Raider student-athlete has given her much of what she needs to be successful.
“Every one of my coaches cared for me and didn’t allow me to settle for less,” she said. “They always told me to do my best, and being around that for four years let me know that I can’t take a day off and I have to continue to work hard.
“I’m going to miss being a Richmond Raider,” she closed. “But I learned so much here and am excited for the next four years.”
Covington is now the third Richmond student-athlete in the class of 2021 to sign with N.C. State. Jakolbe Baldwin (WR) and Jaleel Davis (OL) both signed in December to play football.
