Cedar Rapids Jefferson senior Taylor Jacobson can run fast and jump high. She'll get a chance to do both in college.

Jacobson has accepted an offer to join the University of Northern Iowa women's track team next year, where her specialty could be the 400-meter hurdles.

"I'll be surprised if she's not a first-class hurdler," Jefferson track coach Bill Calloway said Wednesday. "She wants to be good."

Jacobson has already been a first-class sprinter. She helped the J-Hawks win a state title in the 4x200 relay in 2011 when she was a sophomore. Jefferson also finished second at the Drake Relays in the 4x200 that year.

Calloway plans to use Jacobson as a 400 hurdler this spring, in addition to several other events. Jacobson agrees that the 400 hurdles make sense.

"Oh yeah, it makes perfect sense," she said. "It's scary, but I'm excited, too."

Jacobson was bothered by a sprained ankle last year, but said Wednesday she's fully recovered. She starts for the Jefferson basketball team.

Jacobson accepted UNI's offer Tuesday afternoon, then called the other colleges that had been recruiting her with the news. Minnesota State and Truman State wanted her to join their track programs and Coe recruited her for basketball.

Jacobson is glad she knows where she's headed for college.

"It's a big relief," she said. "Now I can focus on playing basketball and the track season."

Northern Iowa competes at the NCAA Division I level for women's track in the Missouri Valley Conference. "I'm nervous, but I'm excited to get there," she said.

Jacobson wants to study sports marketing.