Copan High School’s Jacklynn Thompson has been selected as a Bartlesville Area Sports Report Area Game Changer.
Courtesy photo
By Becky Burch
Nov. 5, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORT REPORT
For Copan High School sophomore Jacklynn Thompson, inspiration doesn't come from a televised professional league or a high-profile college athletic program. It is found right next to her on the court and on the field.
A two-sport athlete who plays third base for the Hornets softball team and also plays basketball, Thompson models her dedication after her closest teammate.
"My favorite athlete is not a pro or college player," Thompson said. "It is my best friend Harley. We play basketball together and she always motivates me."
That daily motivation and commitment to her team have made Thompson the latest featured standout in Bartlesville Area Sports Report's Area Game Changer series. The bi-weekly showcase highlights dynamic competitors across 12 area schools who transform their teams through leadership, effort, and heart.
Thompson’s relentless drive extends far beyond the athletic department. Lady Hornets head softball coach Ashleigh McCause noted that Thompson's impact can be felt across the entire school campus.
"Jacklynn is a great kid and a wonderful representation of our school," McCause said. "She is involved in just about every sport, along with FFA, where she also serves as an officer. She shows up, works hard, and gives her best in everything she does, both in the classroom and on the field."
Thompson’s athletic journey began long before high school. She has been on the diamond since her earliest days in youth sports, a foundation that continues to fuel her passion for the game today.
"I've played since T-ball," Thompson said. "Playing since that little has just given me a spark for it."
That early spark translated into tremendous varsity production. Thompson anchored the corner infield spot for Copan this year, putting together a stellar campaign.
"She is a great athlete and had a really good softball season this year," McCause said. "What stands out to me most is her willingness to stay involved and give her all in everything she does."
While many players focus strictly on individual stat sheets or championship trophies, Thompson finds her most lasting memories in the collective grind. Rather than pointing to a single walk-off hit or defensive play, she values the bonds built over years of shared sweat and practice.
"I don't have a specific moment," Thompson said. "I think just playing with my friends and developing chemistry as a team has been my favorite. I’ll never forget all the work we’ve put in together."
That deep team chemistry extends to the dugout, where the Hornets keep things light with lighthearted superstitions. Before taking the field, the team shares a strict rule regarding the chalk boundaries.
"Touching the line before a game is bad luck," Thompson said. "If we touch it, we have to kiss it."
Away from the field, Thompson’s favorite class is history, which gives her a chance to learn about life outside of Oklahoma.
"I like history," Thompson said. "It helps me to learn about things and events that have happened in the past and teaches me how the world is — not just in the United States, but all around."
When she isn't competing or focusing on her studies, Thompson stays busy with crafts and prioritizing quality time with her family and her tight-knit group of friends, Harley, Edan, and Leah.
Her interest in understanding how people tick will likely guide her future after high school. While only a sophomore, she already has her sights set on a higher education path centered on helping others, planning to attend college to become a psychologist.
For the younger players entering the Copan program, the third baseman offers a crucial piece of advice on handling the mental hurdles of varsity sports — a blueprint for staying resilient when things don't go as planned.
"Do not be stuck on one mistake because that doesn't make the whole game," Thompson said. "If you're stuck on it, the more mistakes you'll make and you'll be in your head."
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PAST AREA GAME CHANGERS:
-Wyatt Mathis (Bartlesville)
-Marshal McDaniel (Dewey)
-Madie Nachbor (Bartlesville)
-Marcus Bryan (Copan)
-Colson Jernigan (Bartlesville)
-Macee Secondine (Copan)
-Allie VanDenDriessche (Caney Valley, OK)
-Pierce Butler (Dewey)
