BOMMARITO NAMED ICCAC STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Freshman Eliana Bommarito (Brighton, MI/Hartland) of the Indian Hills Women’s Wrestling team has been named the 2022-23 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Female Student-Athlete of the Year.
Bommarito becomes the first Indian Hills student-athlete to be recognized as the ICCAC’s top student-athlete, male or female, in the six seasons that the award has been presented. Bommarito also becomes the first female wrestler to be named the ICCAC’s Female Student-Athlete of the Year.
In Bommarito’s first year on the Indian Hills campus, the freshman left a lasting impact that helped catapult the program to new heights. Bommarito led the Warriors to their third consecutive national championship, and the first at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) level. Bommarito also achieved the individual national championship in the 235lb weight class, the first in program history.
For her efforts at the 2023 NJCAA National Invitational, Bommarito was recognized as the Most Outstanding Wrestler after winning all three matches with a total mat time of just 5:20. Bommarito scored a quarterfinal pin in 35 seconds before a semifinal fall in 1:55. Bommarito earned an 11-0 tech fall in 2:50 in the championship bout to win the national title.
A two-time high school national champion and a four-time Michigan State Champion at Hartland High School, Bommarito was also named The Open Mat’s NJCAA Women’s Freshman of the Year and earned ICCAC Athlete of the Week honors from the conference office.
Bommarito posted an undefeated record throughout the regular season, including an unblemished record in ICCAC dual action as the Warriors went undefeated as a team. The freshman was ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA national rankings throughout the duration of the regular season.
A two-time ICCAC Academic All-Region First-Team selection, Bommarito has maintained a cumulative 4.0 GPA throughout the academic year at Indian Hills.
Off campus, Bommarito has served as an influential advocate for women’s wrestling. Following the conclusion of the season, Bommarito traveled to India to coach youth wrestlers overseas. Bommarito has also served as a leader and role model to local youth throughout the Centerville area at the YMCA.
Following the conclusion of the season, Bommarito has competed at a number of high-profile events on the national stage. The freshman recently captured the 2023 U.S. Marine Corps Beach Wrestling National Championships in the 70+ kg division in Carolina Beach, NC. Bommarito topped the No. 6 ranked wrestling in the nation with back-to-back pins, including a 16-second fall in the final bout. Bommarito also placed fourth overall in the 70+ kg division at the Beach World Series in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT BOMMARITO…
“Eliana is a model of hard work, academic and athletic excellence, and community service and leadership. Eliana is also a leader in the classroom – she is thoughtful, engaged, and participatory in all of her classes.”
Noël Gorden, Executive Dean, Indian Hills Centerville Campus
“Eliana is a focused, outcome-based student, and demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the classroom to match her success on the mat. Eliana sets high standards, shows up every day, and is reliably on schedule. She has demonstrated the ability to adapt and grow as a student.”
Dr. Kevin Cook, Professor of English and Humanities, Indian Hills
“Eliana has been the definition of a student first – she has set the bar for her teammates and other student-athletes. Eliana is an outstanding representative for young women in women’s wrestling. On the mat, Eliana’s accomplishments are second to none.”
Dr. Brett Monaghan, Indian Hills Vice President of Student Development & Operations and Athletic Director
“Eliana is a young woman with a ton of talent. Her maturity, consistency, and drive has allowed her to separate herself from the rest. Her success stems from her ability to balance everything that is thrown at her as a student-athlete. It’s often easy to become overwhelmed, but she is always able to prioritize what it takes to be a champion on and off the mat.”
Cole Spree, Indian Hills Men’s & Women’s Head Wrestling Coach
The ICCAC Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award Nominations were received by the ICCAC Awards Committee, composed of four 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.
Jackson Filer o the Iowa Western Community College Football team was named the 2022-23 ICCAC Male Student-Athlete of the Year.
Previous ICCAC Female Student-Athlete of the Year Winners:
Year Athlete School Sport
2022-23 Eliana Bommarito Indian Hills Wrestling
2021-22 Yadhira Anchante Iowa Western Volleyball
2020-21 Yadhira Anchante Iowa Western Volleyball
2019-20 Autam Mendez NIACC Basketball
2018-19 Mia Ruther DMACC Softball
2017-18 Molly Jacobsen DMACC Softball
