The trailblazers that made history in 2023

Jackson State’s kicker Leilani Armenta (35) watches from the sidelines during the game against the Texas Southern Tigers at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Football Stadium in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

The 2023 college football season was a momentous occasion for women, who made headlines and broke barriers in the sport.

Despite being told that football is not a “girl’s sport” and that they are not physically built for it, female trailblazers proved the doubters wrong by letting their actions on the field speak for themselves, and becoming pioneers in college football.

Women have made significant contributions to college football through playing, coaching, conditioning, and officiating, demonstrating that they belong in the sport.

Women in College Football History

Women have been making history and breaking barriers in football since 1997. Liz Heaston became the first woman to score in a collegiate football game with NAIA Willamette, paving the way for women in kicking positions on football teams. Jacksonville State’s kicker Ashley Martin followed her lead in 2001, becoming the first woman to play and score at the FCS level.

In 2003, Katie Hnida transferred from Colorado to New Mexico and became the first woman to score in a Division I-A game.

In 2015, April Goss made history by becoming the second woman to score a point in a major college football game when she secured the extra point for Kent State against Delaware.

In 2020, Sarah Fuller made history by becoming the first woman to score in a Power Five conference game after successfully kicking two extra points for Vanderbilt against the University of Tennessee.

Women have also been breaking barriers in other football positions, with Antoinette Harris receiving a full college scholarship at Central Methodist as a defensive back in 2019, making her the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/women-college-football-trailblazers-made-001334192.html

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2023-12-02 00:13:34

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