Mia Ruther Named 2019 ICCAC Female Student-Athlete of the Year
Leading her team in Runs, Hits, SB, and BA, Mia took the Bears to their sixth consecutive NJCAA World Series.
In the second year of its existence, the ICCAC Student-Athlete of the Year was created to recognize exemplary student-athletes who perform in the classroom, in the community and on the field of play. 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.
In 2019, DMACC Softball did it again for the second consecutive year, with Mia Ruther, representing her Bears in Boone.
Ruther was named the second recipient of this distinguished award at the May Athletic Directors' meeting in Des Moines on Wednesday.
In her second season with the Bears, Ruther increased her stats in virtually every category from her freshman season including runs, hits, home runs, doubles and batting average. She doubled her stolen bases from a year ago making her a speedy threat on the basepaths. Stemming off her first season as a Bear where Ruther was named NJCAA 1st Team All-American, 1st Team All-Region, 1st Team All-District, and 1st Team Academic All-Region, she didn't stop there filling her National Honors shelf with becoming a 2019 NJCAA Pre-Season All-American, 2019 1st Team All-Region, and was named the 2019 Region XI Offensive Player of the Year.
The story doesn't end there. Ruther continued her excellence and passion off the diamond as well. She was involved with the Discovery Program, Shop with a Cop, Salvation Army Holiday Bell Ringing, Adopt a Family for Christmas, and Special Olympics. Ruther was also a volunteer for the Kiwanis Miracle League, which is a league that gives disabled children get the opportunity to play some baseball.
Her ability to boost her productivity up along with others stepping up on her team, the Bears advanced to their sixth consecutive NJCAA World Series. It is taking place in Clinton, Mississippi at the esteemed Traceway Park on May 22-25, where last year DMACC finished in 3rd Place. They will take on 15th-seed Morris to begin their journey for the trophy.