Two Yelm High School seniors put ink to paper on Wednesday, Feb. 5, to continue their educations and football careers into the collegiate level, as Chris Hauss, defensive lineman, and Jameson Patin, punter, signed their national letters of intent for Central Washington University (CWU).
Yelm football’s head coach, Jason Ronquillo, said he loves that Hauss and Patin each signed to CWU — his alma mater. He said this is a great period of transition from high school to adulthood, and he’s hopeful to see his two athletes finish their senior year on a high note before departing to Ellensburg.
“Don’t tail off, and take care of what’s important,” Ronquillo said. “Jameson and Chris are two different types of athletes, two different styles. But they’re definitely something Central needs. They’ll fit right in. I think it’s a perfect fit. I think they’re going to play early, and I’m excited to watch them play.”
Hauss, who earned first team defensive line All-South Puget Sound League honors during his senior campaign, finished his final season at YHS with 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and four sacks. He also received honorable mention honors on the offensive line.
“It feels good just knowing the whole recruitment process is over, knowing where I’m going and having a home. I don’t have to worry about anything. I know that I have this new home to go to. Now, I just have to finish out high school, do my workouts and just know there’s a place for me to go get better at,” Hauss said. “I had a couple of different offers. I was thinking about what would be best for me, how I would fit in somewhere, and Central was like a family. I showed up for my official visit, and they were taking my grandpa everywhere on a golf cart to make sure he didn’t have to walk. I felt at home, and that’s what drove me to choose Central.
“(Jameson and I) have been talking about dorming together, so we’re definitely going to grow a bond,” Hauss continued. “It’s nice knowing that I won’t be the only Tornado in Ellensburg, and I’m happy that Jameson gets to go.”
Patin, who earned second team punter All-SPSL honors this past season, pinned five punts inside the 20-yard line in 2024 and had a personal best of a 70-yard punt during his senior season. He was also named an honorable mention wide receiver, finishing his final campaign in Yelm with 20 catches for 414 yards and seven touchdowns.
“It feels good to sign with CWU. There was a lot of uncertainty about my future going into last season. Having a new path paved for me just this year was a good feeling. It was a lot of fun. It’s a great opportunity at hand. The starting spot is up for grabs, and I’m excited to get up there,” Patin said. “It’s nice (sharing this moment with Hauss). We’ve played together for four years. We were captains together. It’s nice to be able to share a great experience with a great teammate.”
CWU, located in Ellensburg, Washington, is the alma mater of current YHS Athletic Director Rob Hill and current YHS head football coach, Ronquillo. Hauss and Patin will join former Tornado and current Wildcat offensive lineman Slade Edwards on the football team.
Hauss and Patin are both excited to share the field with Edwards, the reigning Lone Star Conference offensive lineman of the year. They view having a teammate who graduated from their high school as having an older sibling on the team.
“There’s definitely going to be a lot of competition to see who’s better. It’s nice knowing there’s somebody I can go to if my car breaks down — or anything — there’s somebody over there to help,” Hauss said.
Patin added, “It’s good. It’s like having an older brother, an older sibling, to help show you what’s ahead and what’s in store in the future.”
