CHICO, Calif. – Taking home the highest athletic honor in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), Cal State San Marcos women’s golfer Jaime Jacob was named the 2018-19 CCAA Female Athlete of the Year on Wednesday afternoon.
The junior had a year to remember as she won the NCAA Division II National Championship while leading the Cougars to a National Runner-Up finish. After winning the CCAA Championship for the second consecutive year, the Encinitas native earned her second straight CCAA Golfer of the Year honor. In addition, Jacob was also named the CSUSM Student-Athlete of the Year from a Women’s Team for the second consecutive year.
“Jaime Jacob epitomizes the word excellence,” CSUSM Director of Athletics Jennifer Milo said. “She excels in the classroom and reached the highest level possible on the course with a National Championship. There is no one more deserving of this honor. We are so proud of Jaime and how she bleeds blue for CSUSM.”
In the 38-year history of the award, Jacob is the first golfer to be named CCAA Female Athlete of the Year. She is also the first CSUSM student-athlete to be named a CCAA Athlete of the Year since joining the conference in the 2015-16 academic year.
“This just caps off a remarkable, historic season for Jaime,” CSUSM women’s golf head coach Greg Hutton said, “This could not have been awarded to a more deserving person. Jaime represents the core values of CSUSM Athletics through her leadership, commitment and attitude.”
Following her National Championship win, Jacob was named a first team All-American by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA). Prior to that, she was named to the WGCA All-West Region Team.
Jacob led CSUSM with three individual tournament titles this season, bringing her career total to 10.
“She’s a dream student-athlete to have on your team,” Hutton said. “It’s going to be hard to top what she’s done this season, but if anyone can do it, she can. We are so excited to see how she elevates herself and this program next year.”
The CCAA’s Athlete of the Year awards are voted on annually by the 13 Sports Information Directors from around the conference.
