Molly Jacobsen Named 2018 ICCAC Female Student-Athlete of the Year
An undefeated regular season, conference, region, and district title are all marks the DMACC ace led her team to this season.
The ICCAC Student-Athlete of the Year award is a newly formed accolade designated to highlight the best of the best in the premier conference of the NJCAA. Nominations were received by the ICCAC Awards Committee, comprised of select athletic directors from across the conference. Those nominations were then narrowed to a select three student-athletes that embodied the best characteristics that the ICCAC offers not just on the court or field, but also for what they accomplish in the classroom and contribute back to their school and community.
DMACC's [Des Moines Area] Molly Jacobsen was named the first recipient of this prestigious award at the May Athletic Directors' meeting in Des Moines on Wednesday.
A two-year pitcher for the Bears, Jacobsen led not only the conference, but the NJCAA in several statistical categories. The ace's 13.34 strikeouts per game, 312 total strikeouts, 0.47 earned run against average, and 18 shutouts all topped the national leaderboard. The native of Adel, Iowa also threw four perfect games this season and had a total of six no-hitters.
Leading the DMACC softball program to the final day at the NJCAA Division II Softball Championship, Jacobsen led the Bears to four national tournament wins against the nation's best before bowing out after a 1-0 loss to Phoenix (AZ). Jacobsen will leave DMACC with 51 career victories behind 334.1 innings pitched.
"She represents the best in collegiate athletics," said DMACC head softball coach Bob Ligouri. "Her numbers speak for themselves, [she's] an outstanding softball player, but an even better role model."
Jacobsen has also been an active member of the Boone and surrounding community. She has been an active part of assisting with the Kiwanis Miracle League, Special Olympics, Sports Buddies, Shop with a Cop, Teammates for Life, Salvation Army and Meals from the Heartland.
"Molly is a very humble young woman," said Ligouri. "She's never lost sight of the fact that much of her success comes from the effort of others, and that is a big reason why she is so well liked by her teammates."
Jacobsen has signed on to join Ole Miss [University of Mississippi] Softball next year, competing in the prestigious Southeastern Conference.