Francis Marion University Athletics

FMU:  Returning letterwinner....Saw action in 27 games as a freshman....Scored the winning run in a 4-3 ninth-inning win over Emmanuel (4-30-22) in the semifinals of the Conference Carolinas Tournament....Started 3 games in right field....Will add speed to our lineup....Batting from the left side of the plate as a slapper will only help her cause when at the plate....Adds depth to our outfield....Is a great student in the classroom....Will help to continue our tradition of great student-athletes.....Brings something to the table to help our program’s success in 2022....Can’t wait for her to arrive on campus so we can get started....Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award 2023....NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete 2022, 2023.....FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll 2021 (fall), 2022 (spring, fall), 2023 (spring)....Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll 2022 (spring fall), 2023 (spring).

PERSONAL:

• Born Jayla King in Nashville, TN
• Graduate of Grapevine High School, where she played for coach Angelina Curtis
• 2021 second-team All-District honors
• 2021 TGCA Academic All-State pick (for the second time)
• 4-year letterwinner
• 2019 first-team All-District Team
• Named her squad’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019
• As a sophomore, batted .274 with 26 runs scored, 14 RBIs, 12 steals, and a .400 on-base percentage
• Nickname is Jay

PERSONAL FAVORITES:

• Campus Activities/Academic Achievements:  NAACP
• How you got your nickname: People just started calling me that
• Major:  Graphic Design
• As a child what you wanted to be when you grew up: An Artist 
• Favorite Superhero: The Flash
• Favorite Athlete:  Derrick Henry
• Favorite Sports Teams:  Atlanta Braves and the Tennessee Titans
• Favorite Movie or TV Show:   Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure 
• Favorite Food:  Mac n Cheese
• Favorite Vacation Spot:  Disney World
• Favorite Musical Artist: One Direction and Childish Gambino
• Favorite Thing About FMU:  The Diversity
• Favorite Off-Field/court Activity:  Drawing
• Goals for Upcoming Season:  To play
• Why you first chose your sport: I liked baseball and it was the closest thing I could get to it
• Biggest mental challenge in your sport: To not get worried about what’s out of my control
• Interesting Notes:  My Uncle is in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, 2018 Academic All-District, 2019 Academic All-State, 2019 Varsity 7-5A District First Team All-District, 2019 Defensive Player of the Year  , 2021 TGCA Academic All-State, 2021 Academic All-District, 2021 Second Team All-District, 2021 FMU Fall President’s List, 2022 FMU Spring Presidents List, 2022 Conference Carolina Presidents List