Iowa Western’s Hayashi named 2024-25 Betty Jo Graber Award Winner

June 10, 2025

Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA has announced Oruha Hayashi, women's soccer student-athlete from Iowa Western Community College as the 2024-25 Betty Jo Graber NJCAA Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

A native of Japan, Oruha Hayashi excelled as a member of Reiver’s women's soccer program for two seasons. Hayashi found great success both in the classroom and on the pitch. During her career at IWCC, she helped lead the Reivers to a Division I national championship, securing tournament MVP honors along the way.

A two-time United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year, Hayashi was the first back-to-back winner of that honor since Kaylee Neutzling of Lewis and Clark Community College (IL) won in 2008 and 2009.

She was also a strong performer in the classroom during her time at Iowa Western, maintaining a 3.88 GPA throughout her career as well.

Hayashi will continue her academic and athletic career at UCLA, where she will major in business.

“Iowa Western is extremely excited and honored that Oruha Hayashi has been selected for the Betty Jo Graber Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award,” said Dr. Dan Kinney, President of Iowa Western Community College. “Oruha has excelled at the highest level athletically and academically, in the classroom and on the soccer field. Iowa Western is proud of her for her accomplishments and takes pride in knowing that we have been part of her growth as a student-athlete.”

“Oruha has been an amazing student athlete here at Iowa Western for the past two years,” stated Shane Larson, Athletic Director of IWCC. “We are grateful to the NJCAA for recognizing not only her athletic accomplishments but also what an incredible person she is. She has been an outstanding representative of Reiver Athletics, and she will continue to be a great representative of Junior College Athletes at UCLA next year. Congratulations to Oruha, and thank you to the NJCAA for recognizing her as the Betty Jo Graber Female Student Athlete of the Year.”

“We are immensely proud of Oruha,” said Adam Sanchez, Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Iowa Western Community College. “She has represented Iowa Western and brought honor and respect to the women’s soccer program. Her leadership is on another level and correlates with the level at which her teammates love and respect her. She is more than deserving, as she is the epitome of unique and elite.”

NJCAA Athletic Accomplishments

2023 NJCAA D1 National Champion
2023 & 2024 NJCAA National Championship All-Tournament Team
2023 & 2024 United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year
2023 & 2024 NJCAA First Team All-American
2023 NJCAA National Tournament Most Valuable Offensive Player
2024 ICCAC Player of the Year
2023 & 2024 ICCAC First Team All-Region
2023 & 2024 NJCAA All-Academic

Hayashi will be honored during the NJCAA Hall of Fame and Awards presented by Nufabrx, held on Tuesday, June 17, at the Hilton Charlotte University Place at 6:30 PM ET. The event will recognize the NJCAA Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year, the Lea Plarski Award winner, the Champion Award winners, and the Difference Maker Award winner, in addition to the Class of 2025 for the NJCAA Hall of Fame.

To learn more regarding the NJCAA Hall of Fame and Awards presented by Nufabrx, visit: NJCAA Hall of Fame and Awards

To learn more about past NJCAA Female Student-Athletes of the Year, visit: Betty Jo Graber Award Winners

About the NJCAA Betty Jo Graber Award

Betty Jo Graber was an influential leader in the Association and helped pioneer the creation of the Women's Division of the NJCAA in 1975. As the NJCAA Region 5 Women's Director, Graber chaired the Association's women's basketball committee from its inception in 1975 until her retirement in 1991. In addition to her contributions on the NJCAA Board of Directors, Graber helped establish the NJCAA Women's Basketball Coaches Association and was a member of its inaugural hall of fame class in 1998. Also, a member of the national Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, Graber was a leader that exhibited dedication, service, and resilience - traits that are recognized annually to the top female student-athlete with the award named in her honor.

About NJCAA Foundation

Since 2018, the NJCAA Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, has funded scholarships, community programs, and national awards for the association's student-athletes, member colleges, and administrators.

The mission of the NJCAA Foundation is to enhance the NJCAA national organization, student-athletes, member colleges and local communities through financial support, scholarships, program initiatives and community service.