TJ’s Carbon inks to play golf at Eastern Washington

Thomas Jefferson senior Jayme Carbon has proven to be one of the best athletes in the Federal Way school district.

When her career at TJ ends, Carbon will have 10 varsity letters in three different sports. But Carbon will be able to specialize in just one thing next year after signing a national letter of intent to golf at Eastern Washington University Monday. Carbon was one of three golfers to sign with the Eagles from Cheney.

“Jayme is a pure athlete, and I think she will develop really well here,” Eastern Washington head coach Marc Hughes said. “She doesn’t have the experience that the others have, but she has been devoted to a number of sports. She could have gone and played softball as easily as golf. She has intangibles that will make progress easier for her.”

Carbon will be playing in her fourth Class 4A State Golf Tournament, which will take place May 27-28 in the Tri-Cities. She has placed in the top-20 at the West Central District every year and finished fifth in the fall.

Carbon was a first-team, All-South Puget Sound League selection during her junior and senior seasons and was a second-teamer as a freshman and sophomore. Carbon is also the TJ record-holder in individual wins in a season (nine) and career (14). She was also a Washington Junior Golf Association state qualifier in 2009 and district qualifier the previous three years.

“Jayme is the quiet, warrior type who wants to come to Eastern to play,” Hughes said “She’s not used to sitting on the bench in anything, so she will find a way to play. As a coach, you like those kinds of kids.”

Carbon, who sports a 3.76 grade-point average, has also been a standout on the softball field for the Raiders. She was the Mirror’s Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2007 when she led TJ to their second state tournament berth in school history. She was also a first-team, All-SPSL selection in 2007 and ‘08.

The Raiders are currently sitting in second place in the SPSL North.

Last year, Carbon hit .455 with 19 RBIs and scored 16 runs. As a sophomore, Carbon hit .500 with 23 RBIs, 14 runs, 10 doubles and one home run.