Headed Midwest
- Updated: February 26, 2025
Jacksonville soccer standout Easterling accepts an ROTC scholarship, will continue her playing career at Doanna University.
By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today
JACKSONVILLE — From Furman, to North Idaho College, to Dartmoth, Jacksonville High School athletes have shown a willingness to venture far to play in college.
Add Doanne University, in Crete, Neb., to the list.
Soccer defender Emma Easterling made it official Wednesday, signing her letter of intent to play for the NAIA school on an ROTC scholarship.
She chose Doanne over Montgomery-based Faulkner University.
She won’t be the first Jacksonville athlete to venture to other parts of the United States to play. Soccer standout Virginia Poe played for Furman University, in South Carolina. Cross country’s Olivia King went to North Idaho College before coming back home to run for Jacksonville State. Football wide receiver Ky’dric Fisher signed with Dartmoth.
There have been others.
Easterling’s choice was nearer to the heart.
“I was reached out to by the assistant coach, and I went up there to go visit Doanne,” she said. “I loved it.
“I came back, and I was in between two schools, and then I got offered an ROTC scholarship up there, and that made my decision to go farther up.”
Jacksonville soccer coach Kim Darby said that what Easterling brings travels well, calling the Alabama North-South All-Star Game selection and team captain “a tenacious defender.”
“She’s pretty much the heart and soul of our defense,” Darby said. “What’s been nice to see is how she’s evolved over the years. Now, she’s helping to build other people up.
“She’s a great kid, and she’s going to do great things.”
Video by Joe Medley
Photos by Joe Medley
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