Jackson Free Press

Kayla Watkins, Madison Central High School's head softball coach, is looking forward to her fast-pitch softball team winning the championship against Petal High School today and Saturday.

Along with assistant coaches Britney Shaw and Brittany Tillery, Watkins coaches the junior varsity and varsity teams of the Lady Jags at Madison High. She works with the group of girls by planning and perfecting offensive and defensive skills. She also serves as a mentor to 23 girls on the team's rosters.

"I love going out to the fields every day with the girls to practice," Watkins says. "They are a great group."

This season marks Watkins' fourth season—and, if they win, Watkins' second championship title as head coach—with the Lady Jags. With the team's impressive record of 24-8, Watkins and her defending-championship team are hungry for another title. A Starkville native, Watkins got her start in the metro area while attending Mississippi College. She previously attended and played softball at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. While at Mississippi College, Watkins was a three-year starter for MC's softball team. She received her bachelor's degree in English education from the college in 2007.

Watkins teaches math at Rosa Scott High School in addition to coaching the softball teams at Madison Central High.

"The most enjoyable thing about working with the girls is watching them come together to learn and grow as a team," Watkins says. "They're not only a great group of girls, but they're also a great group of athletes."