UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Two Penn State women's soccer incoming freshmen were honored by Gatorade as State High School Players of the Year with Molly Martin taking the crown for her home state of Massachusetts and Amelia White for her home state of Indiana.
The Gatorade State Player of the Year award was established in 1985 to recognize the nation's most outstanding high school student-athletes for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. One winner from each of the twelve sport categories is chosen from each state.
Martin and White are members of the Penn State 2022 signing class that was originally ranked No. 5 in the country per Top Drawer Soccer. With the addition of three transfers in May, Top Drawer Soccer promoted the Penn State class to No. 1 in the nation. The class is the program's fifth Top-5 class in the last nine years.
Read about Martin and White's accomplishments below.
MOLLY MARTIN
DEFENDER
BUCKINGHAM, BROWNE & NICHOLS SCHOOL
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
SENIOR
HEIGHT: 5-FOOT-7
HIGHLIGHTED STATS
6 GOALS
9 ASSISTS
2 DEFENSIVE GOALS ALLOWED
ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE
The 5-foot-7 senior defender led the Knights to a 21-0 record and the New England Prep School Athletic Council Class A tournament championship this past season. Martin scored six goals and passed for nine assists while anchoring a defense that allowed just two goals all season. Ranked as the nation's No. 116 recruit in the Class of 2022 by TopDrawerSoccer.com, she played in the High School All-American Game in December and participated in a virtual camp with the U.S. Soccer Under-18 Women's National Team in April, 2021.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Martin has maintained an A-minus average in the classroom. Taking advantage of NCAA early signing rules, Martin inked a financial-aid agreement that paved the way for her to enroll at Penn State. She graduated from high school in December and began attending classes in Happy Valley this past spring semester.
EXEMPLARY CHARACTER
Martin has volunteered locally as a school tour guide and on behalf of the Special Olympics. She has also donated her time at a soup kitchen and as a youth soccer coach.
Q&A with Molly Martin
How did it feel to win this award?
"I am humbled and grateful to be named the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year for the Fall 2021 high school soccer season. However, behind every individual award, there is a story of countless individuals that help you earn this. This award is a testament to the strength of the village around me. I am incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the best coaches, specifically Graeme Blackman, Jason Dewhurst and Ricky Newton, incredible BB&N and FC Stars teammates, countless friends and my amazing family. They have pushed me, loved me and supported me every step of the way. Despite my name being on the award, we all share a piece of it. I am infinitely proud to close a great chapter in my career with this award, but even more excited about the next chapter."
You were an early enrollee this past spring. What was it like to experience training with the team and getting to know the program?
"Having the opportunity to come to Penn State in January as an early enrollee this past spring was quite literally one of the best decisions of my life. I firmly believe that simply being thrown into something is the best path to learning and growing. Being part of the spring season in 2022 and having significant academic course work under my belt is invaluable. I have so much more leaning to do but being part of the PSWS culture this spring was something I will never take for granted. Training is a grind in the spring and summer but having the opportunity to do it with the best teammates and coaching staff in the country makes it all so worth it!"
What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?
"One of the best parts of being on the Penn State Women's Soccer team is the understanding of how high the bar is relative to EVERYTHING we do. Whether it be our play on the field, our academics, or our role in the larger community, our culture demands success. But our culture coupled with the support of our coaches and the Penn State Athletic Department provides everything we need to reach that pinnacle of success. Despite reaching the Sweet Sixteen in the Fall of 2021, there is a feeling of unfinished business in our program. I cannot wait to see our team's response in the Fall of 2022 and be whatever small piece of our success I can be.
The last thing that I look forward to in being part of this program is being part of something larger than myself. Although the Gatorade Player of the Year award is incredibly meaningful to my family and myself, the best part of being named Gatorade Player of the Year is the collaboration with Gatorade Play It Forward. Gatorade Play it Forward works in collaboration with each Gatorade Player of the Year to choose a local or national youth sports organization to receive a $1,000 grant from Gatorade.
Penn State Women's Soccer and its coaches and players are committed to supporting and working with Soccer Without Borders on its mission to build a more inclusive and equitable world through soccer so that all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. On behalf of Gatorade's Play It Forward Program and the Penn State Women's Soccer I am honored and proud to donate my $1,000 grant Player of the Year award from Gatorade to Soccer Without Borders.
Although I am just starting my career here, I am immensely proud to be part of a collegiate team that believes in the 'power of soccer, and its ability to create positive change for individuals, families, communities, and the world.'"
AMELIA WHITE
FORWARD/MIDFIELDER
HOMESTEAD HS
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
SENIOR
HEIGHT: 5-FOOT-3
HIGHLIGHTED STATS
25 GOALS
15 ASSISTS
52 GOALS (CAREER)
31 ASSISTS (CAREER)
ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE
The 5-foot-3 senior forward and midfielder led the Spartans to a 22-0 record and the Class 4A state championship this past season. White scored 25 goals and passed for 15 assists, including a goal in Homestead's 2-1 win over Carmel High in the state final. The Indiana Soccer Coaches Association Player of the Year, White is ranked as the nation's No. 2 recruit in the Class of 2022 by TopDrawerSoccer.com. A Second Team All-State selection as a freshman, she concluded her prep soccer career with 52 goals and 31 assists, having played only two seasons at the scholastic level.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
White has maintained a weighted 3.75 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a national letter of intent to play soccer on scholarship at Penn State this fall.
EXEMPLARY CHARACTER
White has volunteered locally as a youth soccer coach.
Q&A with Amelia White
How did it feel to win this award?
"I feel really honored to win this award because I worked really hard this season and made a lot of sacrifices."
What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?
"I'm looking forward to playing at such a high level with some of the best players in the country. I hope to learn from them and gain new friendships this season."