LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, celebrating its 75
th anniversary season in 2025-26, continues the process of honoring 300 of its most prominent contributors throughout the month of September.
The second grouping so honored are the PSAC’s 75 Greatest Female Athletes, recognizing former female student-athletes that had exceptional athletic careers during or after their participation in the PSAC.
“While the path for women in college athletics was not always paved equally, the women of the PSAC have more than made their mark,” said Steve Murray, PSAC Commissioner. “They’ve redefined what’s possible. From the early trailblazers to today’s champions, these 75 greatest female athletes represent courage, excellence, and the relentless pursuit of opportunity. Their achievements speak not only to talent, but to the progress Title IX helped make possible and the power of sport to transform lives.”
The PSAC was founded on March 11, 1951, and comprised 14 institutions as the Pennsylvania State Teachers College Athletic Conference (PSTCAC). Since then, it has grown into one of the largest conferences in the NCAA across all three divisions.
The first 75 honorees were designated
“Made in the PSAC”, a group that recognizes former student-athletes that have gone on to influential careers after graduation (which could be in the sports industry, but not necessarily as a professional athlete.)
The 75
th anniversary celebration continues with the release of the 75 Greatest Male Athletes on September 17 and "Distinguished Keystones" on September 24.
“Any time you attempt to honor the greatest over 75 years, you know you’re going to face tough choices,” said Murray. “The truth is, no list can ever capture everyone who’s made a difference. For every name recognized, there’s another who could just as easily be included. This process was thorough, heartfelt, and rooted in fairness, even if it couldn’t be perfect. What matters most is that we celebrate the legacy of the PSAC and the extraordinary people who helped shape it. That legacy lives in far more than 75 names—it lives in the pride of every person who’s ever been part of this conference.”
All 300 honorees were selected through a process that included nominations from institutions and selections by committee. The committee was comprised of institutional and PSAC staff.
PSAC 75th Anniversary: 75 Greatest Female Athletes
Georgina Adams - Donnelly - Lock Haven, Women’s Soccer, 1995-99
1x All-American, led her team to the program's first PSAC title and first NCAA tournament berth
Kylie Anicic – Edinboro, Cross Country/Track, 2022-24
18-for-18 in PSAC Championship races, 2x CSC Academic All-American, 7x All-American
Michaela Barnes – Edinboro, Women’s Basketball, 2016-20
Edinboro’s all-time leading scorer, only Scot over 2,000 points, CSC Academic All-American, 2nd in the nation in scoring senior season with 737 points
Lauren Beckley – Shippensburg, Women’s Basketball, 2006-10
3x PSAC Player of the Year, PSAC’s 2nd All-Time Leading Scorer (2,407 points)
Tabitha Bemis - Edinboro, Track & Field, 2011-14
6x All-American, 14x NCAA qualifier, 15x PSAC Champion, Pete Nevins Award Winner
Julie Bowers Glavin – West Chester, Track & Field, 1982-86
3x NCAA Track Champion, 9x All-American
Julie Bugg – Bloomsburg, Women’s Soccer, 1994-99
Led Huskies to two PSAC titles and the school's first-ever NCAA playoff appearance
Molly Carr – IUP, Softball, Women’s Basketball, 1996-01
2x PSAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, 4x Academic All-American, IUP Woman of the Year in 1999, led women’s basketball team to 26 wins and Elite Eight, softball PSAC West Player of the Year in 1999 and 3x First Team All-PSAC
Tara Lynn Crozier Wallick – Kutztown, Track & Field, 1995-98
National Champion in hammer throw, 5x All-American
Kristin Day (Shute) – Clarion, Women’s Swimming & Diving, 2011-15
3x NCAA National Champion, 8x NCAA All-American, 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year (only PSAC athlete to ever win)
Stephanie Denlinger Rummel – Kutztown, Softball, 2006-09
National Player of the Year, broke NCAA DII career home run record (still holds four PSAC records)
Rachel DiBartolomeo – Mercyhurst, Softball, 2014-17
PSAC West Athlete of the Year in 2016, 182 hits, .336 lifetime batting average, 110 RBIs, 125 runs, 33 doubles, 10 triples, 63 stolen bases, 26 HRs
Rachel Dickinson Latham – Millersville, Field Hockey, 2011-14
Named the 2015 Honda Division II Athlete of the Year; NFHCA DII Player of the Year in 2014; Synapse Sports National Freshman of the Year in 2011
April Doyle – Kutztown, Track & Field, 2010-13
8x PSAC shot put champion, first woman in PSAC history to win eight PSAC individual championships in one event
Brenae Edwards – Mansfield, XC/Track & Field, 2008-13
2013 National Champion 10K, 2nd in 5K, 5x All-American/All-PSAC Track, 3x All Region, 2013 PSAC Outdoor Track AOY, 2011 XC All-American, 2x All PSAC XC
Kristin Erb – Lock Haven, Softball, 2005-09
2x NCAA DII Woman of the Year, 4x All-American, led LHU to National Championships in 2006 and '09, has six NCAA records, six PSAC records and 10 school records
Marissa Erminio - Pitt-Johnstown, Volleyball, 2013-17
3x First-Team All-PSAC (2013, 2014, 2017); 2017 All-Atlantic Region; 2x PSAC Tournament MVP (2013, and 2017); 2013 PSAC Rookie of the Year
Daneen Fero Zaleski – Bloomsburg, Field Hockey, 1985-89
All-American and Division II National Player of the Year in 1988, part of the 1987 Division II National Championship team in 1987 and 1988 PSAC Championship team.
Dee Fichter Cross – Shippensburg, Field Hockey, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Lacrosse, 1977-81
Graduated as SU’s all-time field hockey goals leader, basketball points leader and lacrosse assist leader; 1999 inductee to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame
Divonne Franklin – California, Track & Field, 2019-23
2x NCAA National Champion (60m, 200m); 8x NCAA All-American; Won 12 individual PSAC titles; Set four-all-time PSAC records
Melissa Gates - California, Swimming, 2009-12
3x NCAA National Champion (50 free, 100 free); 10x NCAA All-American; Won five PSAC titles in 2012; 2x US Olympic Trials
Sunflower Greene – Millersville, Track & Field, 2016-19
2x NCAA indoor shot-put champion, 8x All-American; won 11 PSAC titles in five different events; Outdoor and Indoor Field Athlete of the Year a combined five times; set PSAC records in four events
Laura Hall Gourley – IUP, Volleyball, 1999-03
PSAC Rookie of the Year in 1999, 3x All-PSAC West Selection, member of 2002 PSAC Championship Team, 2x PSAC leader in season kills, 3x All-American
Kara Hopkins-Dawson – Edinboro, Swimming, Volleyball 1988-91
15x All-American in swimming, 2x Academic All-American; All-PSAC in volleyball her senior year
Jaclyn Hynson McKelvy – IUP, Swimming, 2009-12
2012 National Champ, 2x PSAC Champ, 11x NCAA All-American, PSAC swimmer of the year 2001, PSAC scholar athlete of the year 2012
Ariel Jones – Shippensburg, Women’s Basketball, Track & Field, 2017-18 – 2022-23
PSAC’s all-time leading scorer (2,806 points; fourth-most in D2 history); NCAA Division II’s all-time leader in free throws; 3x D2CCA All-American; 2x PSAC Eastern Division Player of the Year; 4x All-PSAC Eastern Division First Team; 3x PSAC place-winner in outdoor track & field
Carlita Jones – Clarion, Women’s Basketball, 1992-95
2x PSAC West Player of the Year, 1992 PSAC West Rookie of the Year, 3x First Team All-PSAC West, led team to four straight West titles, four NCAA Tournaments and 1994 Elite Eight
Kelley Tiesi Key – Shippensburg, Softball, 2003-06
Ranks 2nd in PSAC history in career strikeouts and saves; set NCAA D-II record with 83.2 consecutive scoreless innings in 2004; 2004 NCAA Division II Player of the Year; 4-x All-PSAC East First Team; 2006 PSAC East Pitcher of the Year; 2004 PSAC East Player of the Year
Stephanie Kienle – West Chester, Women’s Lacrosse, 2005-08
2x First Team All-American, USLAX DII Attacker of the Year in 08, led WCU to National Championship game in all four years at WCU. Helped WCU win '08 Title, '08 Teewarton Finalist
Susan Kocher – Bloomsburg, Softball, 1983-87
2x All-American, 3x All-PSAC selection, helped the Huskies to four PSAC titles and a third-place finish at the NCAA Division II championships
Linda Kreiser – Millersville, Field Hockey, Women’s Basketball, 1970-74
Set Millersville record in field hockey with 51 goals, helping team to two undefeated seasons; played seven years for USA Field Hockey; captain in all three sports
Yolanda Laney – Cheyney, Women’s Basketball, 1980-84
Tied for 6th in PSAC All-Time points (2173), helped lead Cheyney to NCAA Women’s Basketball Division I championship game in 1982
Cherry Li – Lock Haven, Volleyball, 2002-06
3x All-American, named 2006 Co-National Player of the Year, led nation in hitting percentage during the 2003, 2004 and 2006 seasons, 2x PSAC Player of the Year, 4x All-PSAC selection, PSAC West Freshman of the Year
Karen Linck Matheny – East Stroudsburg, Swimming, 1974-78
5x AIAW individual national champion in freestyle and butterfly, 3x national champion in relays, 9x PSAC champion, 19x All-America
Jenise Lockhart – California, Track & Field, 1982-85
2x NCAA National Champion (4x110m, high jump), 7x NCAA All-American, won two individual PSAC titles
Theresa Lorenzi – Bloomsburg, Women’s Basketball, 1985-89
Finished career as PSAC all-time leader in scoring with 2,173 career points, 4x All-PSAC, led nation in scoring as a sophomore, helped the Huskies to four PSAC Eastern Division championships
Hannah Marsteller – Shippensburg, Softball, 2018-22
All-time PSAC leader in RBIs; second in PSAC history in home runs and slugging; 3x NFCA All-America First Team; 3x PSAC East Athlete of the Year; 2x Ron Lenz Division II Player of the Year; 2021-22 Pete Nevins PSAC Women's Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Tina Martin – Lock Haven, Women’s Basketball, 1982-86
Holds the school record for points with 2,157, All-American in 1985 and 1986, 4x PSAC All-Star,
2x PSAC Player of the Year
Sara McKinney – California, Women’s Basketball, 2002-05
3x WBCA All-American; 2004 NCAA National Champion; First player in school history with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds
Diane McCormick-French – IUP, Volleyball, 1968-1972
USA National VB Team, U.S. Association Player of the Year for senior division at the 1987 national championship
Karyn McCready – Slippery Rock, Track & Field, 2000-04
2004 DII National Champion in javelin, Olympic Trials qualifier in javelin, 3x All-American, 3x PSAC Champion, 2x Academic All-American
Meghan McGrath – Slippery Rock, Women’s Soccer, 2003-07
2x All-American, 4x All-Region, 2007 PSAC Athlete of the Year, 4x 1st team All-PSAC, led SRU to two PSAC titles, three NCAA Tournament berths and 57-20-7 record
Terri Meierhofer – East Stroudsburg, Women’s Soccer, 1994-97
PSAC records for goals (74) and assists (178), PSAC Athlete of the Year (1997), All-America,
4x All-PSAC 1st team, 2x PSAC champion (1994, 1997)
Cherie Meiklejohn Spilis – Millersville, Field Hockey, Women’s Lacrosse, 1987-90
All-America in two sports; 2x PSAC Lacrosse Athlete of the Year and IWLCA Division II MVP in 1990; led Millersville field hockey in scoring three consecutive years
Madison Melvin – West Chester, Softball, 2020-24
PSAC/WCU career leader in hits (343), runs (244), and stolen bases (171), 2x PSAC Champion,
1x Atlantic Region Champion
Paige Mikesell – IUP, Women’s Swimming, 2018-23
NCAA runner-up, 10x individual & relay All-American, 1x PSAC Pete Nevins Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2020-21), NCAA Elite 90 winner
Emily Mitarotonda – East Stroudsburg, Women’s Lacrosse, 2021-24
DII record for goals at one program (314), 4x All-America (3x First Team), 2x PSAC Athlete of the Year, 4x All-PSAC First Team, PSAC records for career goals and points (393), 2022 PSAC champion
Julie Morrow Caito – Slippery Rock, Gymnastics, 1981-85
SRU's only national champion in gymnastics with beam title in 1985, 5x All-American, 3x Academic All-American, national all-around runner up at 1985 National Championships
Rose Ann Neff – Lock Haven, Field Hockey, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Lacrosse, 1969-73
Member of three U.S. Lacrosse Teams, scored 28 goals for 1975 team that completed its tour of Great Britain with perfect record of 13-0
Danielle Penner – California, Softball, 1995-98
3x NFCA All-American; 1997, 1998 NCAA National Champions; Ranks first in D-II history in winning percentage, third with 141 victories
Jazmin Petrantonio Kuhn – Shippensburg, Field Hockey, 2017-21
2021-22 Division II Honda Athlete of the Year; 2x NFHCA Division II National Player of the Year (2018, 2021); 4x NFHCA All-America First Team; 2021-22 Academic All-America At-Large Third Team
Stacy Perryman – East Stroudsburg, Women’s Basketball, 1993-96
One of 2 PSAC players with 1,600 career points and 600 assists, PSAC Athlete of the Year (1995), 4x All-PSAC East (2x 1st team), led ESU to only PSAC championship (1995) and two NCAA Tournaments
Samantha Pirosko – Gannon, Women’s Basketball, 2018-24
3x All-American, 2x PSAC West Athlete of the Year, 2024 NCAA Woman of Year finalist, 2024 WBCA Player of the Year, 2024 D2CCA Ron Lenz Player of the Year, 2024 PSAC Pete Nevins Scholar-Athlete of the Year, 2024 CSC Women’s Basketball Academic All-America Team Member of the Year
Kate Pratt – Mansfield, Softball, 2011-14
2013 All American / Academic All-American, 4x All-PSAC, MU all-time career leader in extra-base hits (96), doubles (50), home runs (41), RBIs (146), and slugging percentage (.743)
Nicole Purtell – Shepherd, Softball, 2019-23
Shepherd’s all-time leader in hits (266), runs (192), and total bases (386), 2x All-American, 2x Academic All-American
Gretchen Reschke – Mansfield, Field Hockey, 1999-2002
4x All-American, 4x First Team All-PSAC, Mansfield records for season points and goals (2nd in career with 43 goals)
Erin Richard – Clarion, Women’s Cross Country, Track & Field, 2004-09
5x NCAA All-American in track & field, 7x PSAC track & field champion, 2007 PSAC cross country champion, 2x Academic All-American
Andi Rose – Slippery Rock, Track & Field, 2003-07
6x All-American, 5 PSAC MVP awards, 11x PSAC champion in individual events, still holds SRU records in 55m hurdles and 60m hurdles
Mallory Sanner – Seton Hill, Track & Field, 2012-15
NCAA Champion in the Javelin, 4x All-American, USTFCCCA Track Scholar Athlete of the Year,
2x First Team Academic All-American
Becky Siembak – California/Slippery Rock, Women’s Basketball, 1999-2003
Helped Slippery Rock win 23 games and a Regional Championship as a freshman, named First Team All-Conference and Rookie of the Year; after transferring to California, led Vulcans to wins in 68 of 71 games, including the 2003-04 national championship, 4x First-Team All-PSAC
Neely Spence Gracey – Shippensburg, Cross Country, Track & Field, 2008-12
8x NCAA National Champion, 11x NCAA All-American, 2x USTFCCCA National Cross Country Athlete of the Year, 2x PSAC Pete Nevins Scholar-Athlete of the Year, named PSAC Athlete of the Year after all 10 of her competitive seasons, 2010 NCAA Division II Women's Sportsmanship Award
Alison Tagliaferri – Mansfield, Basketball, Softball, 2001-06
4x First Team All-PSAC, 2006 PSAC Player of Year, all-time Mansfield leading scorer (1,795 points),
in softball: named 3x All-PSAC, best Mansfield career ERA (2.00)
Elizabeth A. Thoryk-Longenecker – Kutztown, Women’s Swimming, 1995-99
10x All-American, first KU athlete to be All-America in each of four seasons, broke six school records
Christina Tillotson Sheets – Clarion, Swimming & Diving, 1996-99
28x NCAA Division II All-American, 5x NCAA Division II national champion, 18x PSAC Champion, 2x PSAC Swimmer of the Year
Jahzinga Tracey – IUP, Women’s Basketball, 2005-09
2x PSAC West Player of the Year, leads IUP in numerous all-time stat categories, 2,000-point/1,000 rebounds club in PSAC (one of only 8 players to do so)
Jamie Vanartsdalen – Bloomsburg, Field Hockey, 2005-2008
PSAC all-time leader in goals (120), assists (58), and points (298), 2x PSAC Player of the Year, 4x First Team All-PSAC, won three national championships
Jady van Gils – East Stroudsburg, Field Hockey, 2021-24
2x NFHCA DII Player of the Year (2023-24), 2x PSAC Athlete of the Year, 2022 DII champion (semifinals all four seasons), 2x PSAC champion (2022, 23), 28 goals, 29 assists as midfielder
Valerie Walker – Cheyney, Women’s Basketball, 1978-82
4th in PSAC All-Time points (2,289), helped lead Cheyney to NCAA Women’s Basketball Division I championship game in 1982
Karen Way Gaita – East Stroudsburg, Track & Field, 1988-91
Holds PSAC high jump record (5-10) set in 1990, conference's oldest women's outdoor record, 1991 DII champion (2x runner-up), 4x All-America, 3x PSAC champion (no indoor championship)
Lith Webb – California, Softball, 1995-98
4x NFCA First-Team All-American; 1997, 1998 NCAA National Champion; all-time leader in school history in hits (295), average (.442) and runs (195)
Hannah Woelfling – Millersville, Women’s Track & Field, 2019-23
NCAA champion in the discus; set PSAC all-time and championship records in the discus and hammer; 7x PSAC champion; PSAC indoor and outdoor athlete of the meet a combined three times; overall outdoor MVP in 2023
Jamie Wolf Jackel – Clarion, Swimming & Diving, 2003-07
Only diver in Division II history with seven national championships, 3x NCAA Division II Women's Diver of the Year, Pete Nevins Scholar-Athlete Award winner, CoSIDA Division II-III Academic All-America Team Member of the Year
Jenn Wolfgang Rush – Kutztown, Field Hockey, 1994-97
National Player of the Year, led KU to national title game, PSAC Player of the Year
Georgia Wright – West Chester, Swimming & Diving, 2016-20
CSCAA Top-100 Honoree, 8x NCAA Champion, 14x All-American, held four PSAC records, ended career as DII 1000 Freestyle record holder, 3x PSAC Swimmer of Year
Gao Xuan – Lock Haven, Volleyball, 2010-13
7x All-American, 8x All-Atlantic Region, 4x First Team All-PSAC, 4x PSAC Player of the Year