Jazmin Petrantonio named 2022 Division II Honda Athlete of the Year

RAIDER SPORTS

Jazmin Petrantonio ’22 was named the 2022 Division II Honda Athlete of the Year by the Executive Director Chris Voelz of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda on June 27. The award was voted on by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of the CWSA program and honors the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.

A two-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II National Player of the Year (2021 and 2018), Petrantonio is the first Raider to receive this award and just the fourth player from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) to be honored. She was celebrated during a live telecast on CBS Sports Network at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California in downtown Los Angeles.

“It’s really hard for me to put into words the way I feel,” Petrantonio said. “It is a huge honor to receive this

award, but that’s not adequate to reflect the way I feel. It is one of those things that nobody prepares you for, because only a select few athletes even get the chance to be recognized as a finalist, and that’s what makes this award so special.”

A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Petrantonio, an international management and accounting major, led the nation in goals per game (1.85), points per game (4.2), goals (37) and points (84). She also totaled 10 assists. Petrantonio scored or assisted in 19 of SU’s 20 games this season; the only game in which she did not record a point was in the national semifinal.

Petrantonio celebrates during the championship game against West Chester University.

Petrantonio (center) stands with other nominees.

“Never in a million years could I have thought that a student-athlete at Shippensburg, a small town in Pennsylvania, who plays a sport that is still emerging in popularity in the United States, would’ve been in this category,” added Petrantonio.

A two-time NFHCA National Player of the Year (2018, 2021), she is the third Raider to be named the NFHCA National Player of the Year and the second Raider to earn it twice. Bre White won the award in 2012 and 2013, and Kristina Taylor was SU’s inaugural recipient in 2010.

In the 2021 NCAA Field Hockey Tournament, Petrantonio helped Shippensburg to its sixth national championship (fifth NCAA national championship) and its fourth in the last five seasons. She scored the second goal in the National Championship Game victory over West Chester University and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 NCAA Division II National Championships.

Petrantonio concluded her historic career with 106 career goals, third-most in NCAA Division II history. In her 79 career games with the Raiders, Petrantonio totaled 248 career points (106 goals, 36 assists) and 29 game-winning goals. She also finished her career as the leading scorer in the history of the NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championships, having scored 10 career goals in eight career NCAA Tournament games.

Petrantonio poses with her banner as Athlete of the Year.

She continues to make us proud, representing the very best of her sport, her fellow student-athletes and her alma mater. It’s been an honor to watch her success as a student-athlete and campus leader and to now earn this recognition on a national level.

“We are proud of her accomplishments on the field, off the field, and within our Shippensburg community. As a trailblazer on the field, Jazmin elevated the game while she competed with passion and respect. Off the field, Jazmin was a dedicated student and was involved with many university organizations. She is hard-working, passionate, committed and extremely deserving of this recognition for all that she has done as an athlete and student,” said head field hockey coach Tara Zollinger.

“On behalf of the entire Shippensburg University community, I congratulate Jazmin on this amazing achievement,” said Dr. Charles Patterson, Shippensburg University President. “She continues to make us proud, representing the very best of her sport, her fellow student-athletes and her alma mater. It’s been an honor to watch her success as a student-athlete and campus leader and to now earn this recognition on a national level.”

Thursday’s announcement brings Petrantonio’s postseason awards total to 13. Petrantonio was previously selected to the NFHCA All-American First Team and the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) First Team. She was named the NFHCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year, the PSAC Athlete of the Year, the PSAC Tournament MVP, the NCAA Tournament MVP and was selected to the NCAA All-Tournament Team, the NFHCA All-Academic Team, the NFHCA Senior Team, 2021-22 Academic All-District 2® At-Large Team, and 2021- 22 Academic All-American® At-Large Third Team.

“We could not be more excited for Jazmin, our field hockey program, the athletics department, and the university,” said Carrie Michaels, senior associate director of Athletics and senior woman administrator. “This is such a tremendous honor, and we are fortunate to share this experience with this outstanding student and athlete. What a testament to her excellence. We have been in awe of her prowess on the field since she began her journey at SU and have truly enjoyed her as a person.”