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. Clarion boasted five women on the prestigious list - Kristin (Day) Shute, Carlita Jones, Erin Richard, Christina (Tillotson) Sheets and Jamie (Wolf) Jackel. All five women are enshrined in the Clarion Sports Hall of Fame.
"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."
Kristin (Day) Shute – Clarion, Women's Swimming & Diving, 2011-15
2015 NCAA Woman of the Year (only PSAC athlete to ever win), three-time NCAA National Champion, eight-time NCAA All-American
Carlita Jones – Clarion, Women's Basketball, 1992-95
Two-time PSAC West Player of the Year, 1992 PSAC West Rookie of the Year, three-time First Team All-PSAC West, led team to four straight PSAC West titles, four NCAA Tournaments and 1994 Elite Eight
Erin Richard – Clarion, Women's Cross Country, Track & Field, 2004-09
Five-time NCAA All-American in track & field, seven-time PSAC track & field champion, 2007 PSAC cross country champion, two-time Academic All-American
Christina (Tillotson) Sheets – Clarion, Swimming & Diving, 1996-99
28-time NCAA Division II All-American, five-time NCAA Division II national champion, 18-time PSAC Champion, two-time PSAC Swimmer of the Year
Jamie (Wolf) Jackel – Clarion, Swimming & Diving, 2003-07
Only diver in Division II history with seven national championships, three-time 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
About the PSAC 75th Anniversary Celebration
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 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.
