‘A role model for everyone’: How Tamaih Jefferson sports a winning attitude at Lanphier
Tamaih Jefferson blots out all of the negativity.
If she strikes out or has a defensive lapse, she finds solace in the next play. That positive attitude also extends to her teammates. If they make a mistake, she provides instant succor.
The senior shortstop takes a certain pride in being a good teammate and considers that trait her biggest strength despite also being a prolific hitter on the Lanphier softball team.
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Her parents helped instill that type of resilience and intestinal fortitude. That includes her mom, Traci Moore, and dad, Carl Jefferson.
“My family has always taught me to not just give up on stuff, so if you want something, you’re going to have to get through it,” Jefferson said. “Even though the season might not be the best for us, I’m going to go through it because this is the sport that I love.”
It has led her to embrace a more prominent coaching role this season.
“We’ve kind of talked about it as a senior elevating your game,” coach Rob Handy said. “As a freshman in college next year, you’re going to have to start communicating. You’re going to have to be a leader, so she’s done a good job this year trying to talk to the girls — especially our younger ones and trying to teach them.
“She’s a role model for everyone on our team.”
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‘Hard worker’
Jefferson didn’t pursue the game until sixth grade.
Her older sister, Talayia, decided to try softball one day and started practicing with their dad. It sparked a chain reaction.
“If she never played softball, I probably wouldn’t even be here,” Jefferson said.
Last season, Jefferson was named all-Central State Eight Conference. She hit 20-for-40 (.500) with 10 RBIs, three home runs and 20 stolen bases.
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Jefferson was also academic all-conference.
She further stays active in volleyball, the National Honor Society and the principal’s student roundtable to boot.
“She’s just a hard worker and she does everything you would want a player to do,” Handy said.
Jefferson indeed dabbled as a catcher and pitcher in separate games during the Spring Slam at University of Illinois Springfield on Saturday, March 30.
Only because that’s what the team needed.
“If she started pitching when she was a little kid, she probably would’ve been one of the best pitchers around here,” Handy said. “She’s just that athletically gifted.”
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More than just a game
Jefferson has made countless connections through softball while playing abroad in addition to The Hitting Center.
This past January, she competed in the Netherlands for a second straight year. Both occasions included an excursion to Paris.
She also visited Barcelona, Spain for another tournament over the summer. A kidney infection, however, kept her off the field.
Softball has otherwise been a blessing for Jefferson.
“I just feel like I got a good experience meeting new people because of the different teams that I’ve been on,” said Jefferson, who will next play at NCAA Division III Dominican University near Chicago. “I’ve made friends along the way and I couldn’t ask for anything else.”
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Tamaih Jefferson buoys Lanphier softball with positive demeanor
