Jackson, Wideman play in both Little League & JUCO World Series

By Garret Sulak, Athletics Marketing Graduate Assistant

Marquis Jackson and his team from Chicago had just lost the championship game of the 2014 Little League World Series as he walked up to South Korea's Jae Yeong Hwang to finally execute the handshake they had been working on (Watch the Video). The end result was something that makes the Little League World Series (LLWS) unique.

Each summer, the love for the game of baseball and tremendous sportsmanship are on display in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Jackson, a current Highlander, and Landry Wideman, a former Highlander now playing at Kansas State, both share the honor of having played in the Little League World Series.

Jackson and Wideman now also have matching national championship rings as champions of the 2021 NJCAA Division I World Series.

"The Little League World Series and the JUCO World Series are very similar, but so different at the same time," Jackson explained. "Both are really competitive and have a great fanbase. I think the only difference is how big the Little League World Series is. Nothing that I've done yet in my baseball career can compare to playing in front of hundreds of thousands of people."

Jackson was a part of the Jackie Robinson West team in 2014. He credits his brother for creating his interest in baseball.

"Baseball is just the sport I grew up watching," Jackson said. "When I was younger I wanted to be just like my big brother and every time he had a game or practice, I would tag along and I think my love for baseball would grow stronger and stronger with every game and practice I went to."

Jackson's love for baseball took him all the way to Williamsport in 2014 – a place where every little leaguer dreams of playing. He was able to meet players from across the country and the world. The handshake with Yeong Hwang showed how baseball can bring different cultures together.

"The handshake with the kid from South Korea was something that we had come up with while we were just hanging out around the complex," Jackson said. "It just so happens, we both made it to the championship game and decided to do it at the end of the game. It was really fun to play against such great players from all across the world. I think the best thing about playing kids from all over was seeing them incorporate their culture into the game."

The time on the big stage at the Little League World Series helped prepare Jackson to overcome adversity and compete in big moments. Throughout the 2021 season, Jackson overcame injury and stepped up to help the Highlanders finish the job in Grand Junction.

"Last year was not an easy year for Marquis as he dealt with several different injuries that limited his playing time throughout the regular season," McLennan baseball head coach Mitch Thompson said. "I am probably most proud of the fact that even though he was limited in his playing time during the regular season, he was ready to help his team win when the opportunity presented itself at the JUCO World Series. When starting right fielder Blake Jackson couldn't play defense because of a strained hamstring, Marquis got his chance to shine."

In Grand Junction, Jackson was given the responsibility of taking over for the injured Blake Jackson. He didn't disappoint as the Highlanders won the next four games and defeated Central Arizona to claim the title.

"Marquis started and played right field in the last four games in Grand Junction and came up big for us with some huge hits and some very big defensive plays as well in right field," Thompson said. "I am sure that his hard work and preparation throughout our season coupled with the experience he gained playing in the Little League World Series allowed him to play well for your team in such pressure packed moments in Grand Junction."

Wideman, a closing pitcher for the Highlanders in 2021, played in the 2012 Little League World Series on the McAllister Park team. Following his success as a Highlander, he earned a spot on the Division I level at Kansas State.

"Landry had a phenomenal year for us last year as our closer, and I am so proud for his success," Thomson said. "Landry is a big, strong, physically imposing young man with a big arm. He loves the pressure packed, competitive moments during the game and came up big for us throughout the season."

Like Jackson, Wideman had prior experience on the big stage and was more than prepared to lead the Highlanders to a championship.

"One thing I will never forget is him closing out the championship game for us in Grand Junction against the defending national champion, Central Arizona," Thompson recalled. "Landry came into the game in the 9th inning needing three outs to help secure our 2021 national championship. During that inning, Landry's toughness came into play as had to overcome an infield error and a line drive single off his thigh before he finished the game with a huge strikeout to win the national title. Some guys perform the best in pressure packed moments. Landry is one of those guys."

The opportunity to play in Williamsport provided Jackson and Wideman with experience in overcoming obstacles and making plays when it matters most. It also provided a life lesson in connecting with people from across the country and world. These lessons prepared them to play college baseball at McLennan.

"The biggest thing that the Little League World Series helped me with is learning how to compete with the best players from all over the world and learning how to handle adversity," Jackson said. "Learning how to connect with kids from all over through baseball is another big thing I learned in the LLWS and that helps me now that I am at MCC with kids from all different walks of life."

Jackson has played in Williamsport and Grand Junction so far. College baseball players and fans know that the next stop is Omaha, Nebraska. Jackson isn't worried about playing in Omaha just yet though.

"The next step for me is to finish this year at MCC and take it from there," Jackson said. "Whatever follows that is something that I will handle when the time comes. For now, I'm just focused on how I can make myself better as a man and baseball player, and do whatever I can do to help MCC win another national championship."