Owls' Rennich Named as MASCAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Year for 2023

After a storied career as a dual sport student-athlete for Westfield State, Jenn Rennich was named the 2023 MASCAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The award is chosen by the eight Athletics Directors from around the conference.

Rennich, a graduate student, from Bedford, Mass., competed as a member of the Owls women's soccer and women's basketball teams during her collegiate career. Her athletic achievements as part of the women's soccer team rewrote the Westfield State record books. She was named the 2022 MASCAC Offensive Player of the Year, first Team MASCAC All-Conference all four years, set the school record for career points and assists, second all time in goals (50-45-135). She ranked ninth in the nation in goals in 2022. She set the school's single season assist record in 2021 with 18, and her 23 goals in 2022 is the second-best single season total ever at Westfield State. She helped to lead the team to the MASCAC Regular Season title every season she competed and the Tournament title three of the four years. 

For women's basketball, she ranked fourth in the league in steals per game in 2023 while helping the Owls to a repeat trip to the MASCAC Tournament title game. She finished her time with the Owls at 223 career points, 257 career rebounds and 166 steals. She was a member of the MASCAC Regular Season and Tournament winning team in 2018-19 that secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament. 

Academically, Rennich has been equally successful. She received a movement science undergraduate degree, boasting a 3.992 GPA. In the fall of 2022, she was named the College Sports Communicators Division III Women's Soccer Academic All-American of the Year. In both 2021 and 22, she earned CSC All-American accolades as well. She is the first Owls student-athlete to be recognized as a two-time Academic All-America First Team honoree. She was a four-time MASCAC All-Academic Team and Westfield State Dean's List honoree. Most recently, Rennich received the Coach John Kurty Award, the highest award given to student-athlete at Westfield State. The award is "bestowed upon a student-athlete who best exemplifies Coach Kurty's many outstanding qualities including; commitment, loyalty, hard work, dedication, sportsmanship, leadership and athletics ability."

Outside of academics and athletics, Rennich has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Westfield free throw contest, as a Boston Marathon Volunteer, at the South End Community Center 3-on-3 tournament and on National Girls and Women in Sports Day. She also participated in the Westfield State Special Olympics Flag Football event.

As she works towards a career as a physician's assistant, Rennich worked over 1,000 hours as a physical therapy aid and patient coordinator. She also enjoyed her time as a summer camp counselor and peer tutor. 

The MASCAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year has been awarded annually since 1980 to a student-athlete who has excelled in both the classroom and field of play while maintaining at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average through their last year of athletic eligibility. 

-press release courtesy of the MASCAC