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College of the Redwoods athletics continues to gain statewide attention after sophomore Hannah Hartwell was named California Community College Sports Information Association female athlete of the year.

Just a few months after CR men’s basketball coach Ryan Bisio was named state coach of the year, Hartwell capped a brilliant and record-breaking CR career with the honor.

The dominating College of the Redwoods distance runner joined the Corsairs after a season running cross country at Cal Poly Humboldt in 2019.

And she became an instant legend during her incredible career at CR, setting multiple school records and claiming five state titles.

After becoming the first-ever CR woman to win a state title at last year’s CCCAA track and field championships (in the 5K), Hartwell followed that with a state title in cross country in the fall and three more state wins in the 800 meters, the 1500m and the 5K this spring.

Hartwell, who will compete for Division-II Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, next year, will leave Humboldt with the fastest ever women’s time in county history in the 5K.

A story announcing Thursday’s news on the CCCAA website said of the Carlsbad native, “Few distance runners have been as dominating in two sports than what Hannah Hartwell performed in cross country and track and field this past season.”

Hartwell also was named the Female Athlete of the Meet at this year’s state championships and had the fastest JC times in the nation this spring in the 1,500m (4 minutes, 29.63 seconds) and the 5K (16:28).

Orange Coast College swimmer Ethan Smith was also announced as the male state athlete of the year.

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