College Beat: SBHS grad earns top honor among first-year
players
J.C. Clayton knew she was in the running for the Mountain West
Conference’s freshman of the year honor
— a teammate had told her — but it was a call from her parents
that made it official.
”
I pay attention to my stats, but not any of the other freshmen
(in the MWC),
”
Clayton said.
”
So when my parents called me, they told me that I got it.
”
College Beat: SBHS grad earns top honor among first-year players
J.C. Clayton knew she was in the running for the Mountain West Conference’s freshman of the year honor — a teammate had told her — but it was a call from her parents that made it official.
“I pay attention to my stats, but not any of the other freshmen (in the MWC),” Clayton said. “So when my parents called me, they told me that I got it.”
Clayton, a 2009 graduate of San Benito High School and starting shortstop for the BYU softball team, was named Freshmen of the Year in the MWC on Monday and earned a first team all-conference selection as well after she posted impressive numbers in her rookie season at the Provo, Utah, school.
A true freshman, Clayton led all first-year players in batting average (.446), on-base percentage (.467), runs scored (19), hits (25), triples (two) and total bases (32) during a 15-game conference schedule, according to the school’s website.
Among all players in the MWC, though, Clayton was first in triples, second in runs scored and hits, fifth in batting average, sixth in total bases and ninth in on-base percentage.
Admittedly tough on herself, Clayton said earning the freshmen honors will only make her work a little harder in the years to come.
“It just proves that I have to work harder next year because they’ll know who I am,” she said.
Meanwhile, BYU manager Gordon Eakin was named Coach of the Year, while senior Angeline Quiocho was named MWC Player of the Year.
Clayton and the Cougars softball team are currently in Austin, Texas, to compete in their sixth straight NCAA regional tournament, which kicked off on Thursday.
BYU opened the double-elimination tournament against East Carolina (results were not available at The Weekend Pinnacle’s press time), while Texas and Iona squared off in the other contest. The winner of the four-team regional will advance to the Super Regional on May 28-29.
