Jackson Trahan of VC enjoys staying busy all year

 As the Vermilion Catholic Eagles navigate their Metro League schedule, four-sport athlete Jackson Trahan barely has time to eat and sleep.
 Before the Eagles squared off with Catholic High of New Iberia Monday under the lights at Ralph Sellers Field, Trahan had already played two basketball games and been to football workouts. While he admits it’s difficult, Trahan is fueled by the challenge.
“It’s nonstop,” Trahan said.  You go from sport to sport.  You never get a break.  I like that.  I like always being active.  I want to do it all while I can.”
 “It can be difficult.  We have football workouts at four in the afternoon.  Going from that straight to baseball is a little tough, but we get it done.”
 Trahan not only plays sports, but he also plays them well.
He starts on the offensive line at left tackle for the football team.  
That’s a very important position.  He’s responsible for protecting the quarterback’s blindside.  Despite not being your prototypical left tackle, Trahan credits technique and aggression for his success.
In basketball, Trahan starts as a power forward.  At 6’2”, he’s often giving up several inches to the competition.  While he doesn’t light up the scoreboard, he does all the dirty work.  He plays defense and rebounds and can score when he’s open.
“It’s not that I need to score,” Trahan said.  My mindset is what can I do to help.  I use the aggression I learned from football on the court.  You have to be aggressive when you’re smaller.  You must also do the little things, like take charges and box out.”  
On the diamond, Trahan plays first base.  His position is the most active behind pitcher and catcher.  He must be ready for every play and adjust to throws in a split second.  
He also excels in the batter’s box.  Monday night, Trahan went 2-3 at the plate, helping the Eagles complete the come-from-behind 3-2 victory.
 Trahan can also be found on the golf course in the Spring when he’s not playing baseball.
The drive to play and excel in four different sports comes from the relationships he’s built with his teammates over the years.  He’s known many of his teammates since they started school and has played sports with the same guys his entire athletic career.
“It’s the bond I’ve built with these guys over the years,” Trahan said.  “It’s untouchable and amazing.  We’ve been together since pre-K.  We’ve played travel ball together since we were like eight.  We’re really close.  We don’t fight with each other.  We get the next one.  We pick each other up. We believe in each other.”
When Trahan does have some time free from VC athletics, he works.  He cuts grass, works for Vermilion Jump Rentals owned by Colby Broussard, and works for Earl’s Furniture when they need him.
“I love it, especially cutting grass,” Trahan said.   “When I’m not doing that, I play golf.”
With his senior season on the horizon, Trahan would love to cap his high school career with four state championships.  He’s still smarting from the Eagles’ playoff losses in football and baseball last season.
“We’re hunting for state championships in football and baseball,” he said.  “Being undersized, any advantage we would have had was wiped out by the weather in football playoff loss.  We’re disappointed we lost in the second round of the baseball playoffs.”
Trahan doesn’t just work hard in athletics.  He’s carried a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and scored a 25 on the ACT.  
He plans to attend LSU after his senior year. He’s undecided on his major but has narrowed it down to computer science, mechanical engineering, or finance.  
That Trahan is a well-rounded student, athlete, and person is not an accident.  He credits his parents, coaches, and teammates for his current status.

“My parents have always encouraged me,” Trahan said.  “I love to make them proud.  We have the best coaching staff at VC.  They all work very hard.  They’re very good at what they do.
“As for my teammates, we’ve been playing together for over 10 years.  We come out here for each other.  The practices and the bus rides are so much fun because of them.  We are bonded.  We do it for each other.”