Jenna Plue Honored As NJCAA Region III Female Athlete Of The Year

Region 3 of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is proud to announce the 2023-2024 recipients of the Region 3 Yearly Awards. Each year, Region 3 recognizes student athletes, administrators, staff members and athletic programs with the awarding of the Region 3 Female Athlete of the Year, Region 3 Male Athlete of the Year, Region 3 Athletic Director of the Year, Region 3 Athletic Trainer of Year, and the Region 3 Community Service Award.

The Female Athlete of the Year is Jenna Plue from Corning Community College. Jenna helped lead the Red Barons Softball Program to their fourth straight Regional Championship and a fifth-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA DIII Softball World Series. The Red Barons finished the season with a 30-14 record.

At the national level, Plue was named the 2024 NJCAA DIII National Pitcher of the Year, a 2024 NJCAA 1st Team Division III All-American, a 2024 NFCA DIII Rawlings Gold Glove Winner, a 2024 NFCA First Team All-American, and selected as a member of the All-Tournament Team at the NJCAA DIII Softball World Series. Jenna was voted the 2024 NJCAA Region III Softball Player of the Year, the 2024 Mid-State Conference (MSAC) Softball Player of the Year, a member of the Region 3 Softball All-Region First Team, and a member of the 2024 MSAC All-Conference Team. She was also selected as the 2024 Region III District B Most Outstanding Player of Tournament.

This season Jenna led Division III of the NJCAA in strikeout rate (13.55 strikeouts/7 innings), was second in total strikeouts (271), second in ERA (1.50), and fifth in wins (16). At the plate she was tied for sixth in Division III in homeruns (10, which led all of Region 3) and RBI (51, second in Region 3). Her 271 strikeouts this season set a new program record at Corning.

Corning Athletic Director Isaac Bushey shared these comments about Plue, "Jenna exemplified the ideal student-athlete during her time at Corning Community College, showcasing remarkable leadership both on the field and within our campus community. While her tenure with us was only for one academic year, her presence left a lasting impact. Her exemplary conduct and character served as a beacon of inspiration for all our student-athletes. We take immense pride in her myriad of achievements, yet they pale in comparison to the exceptional individual she proved to be each and every day."

Red Barons Softball Head Coach Stacy Johnson had this to say about her top starting pitcher, "Jenna Plue had an outstanding year on both ends of the inning and was a major reason for our success. Not only did she throw gas, but her movement pitches were tough to hit, and her changeup made her at times untouchable. Not to be forgotten was the impact she had for us offensively, leading Region III in homeruns and was second in RBI's. She produced runs for us and didn't give up many to our opponents. A testament to her abilities, she became the first player in CCC history, and the first in Region III, to earn the NJCAA National Pitcher of the Year honor. She is a worker who would grind each day to perfect her craft. Jenna will take her talents to NCAA D2 Adelphi University next season, where I am confident, she will be successful and an immediate impact player. Great person, great teammate, and great pitcher!"