LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Sept. 10) – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) is celebrating its 75th anniversary season in the 2025-26 academic year. The league will honor 300 of its most prominent contributors through the month of September.

The second grouping of honorees are designated "PSAC's 75 Greatest Female Athletes", recognizing former female student-athletes that had exceptional athletic careers during or after their participation in the PSAC.
 
California boasts a group of seven honorees among the " PSAC's 75 Greatest Female Athletes " recognition on Wednesday morning: Divonne Franklin (track field, 2019-23), Melissa Gates (swimming, 2009-12), Jenise Lockhart (track & field, 1982-85), Sara McKinney (basketball, 2002-05), Danielle Penner (softball, 1995-98), Becky Siembak (basketball, 2002-04) and Lith Webb (softball, 1995-98).

"While the path for women in college athletics was not always paved equally, the women of the PSAC have more than made their mark," said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray. "They've redefined what's possible. From the early trailblazers to today's champions, these 75 greatest female athletes represent courage, excellence and the relentless pursuit of opportunity. Their achievements speak not only to talent, but to the progress Title IX helped make possible and the power of sport to transform lives."

Franklin captured the NCAA National Championship in both the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash as a senior in 2023. She closed her career as an eight-time NCAA All-American and won 12 individual titles at the PSAC Championships. Franklin set four all-time league records and four conference championship marks plus was twice selected an Academic All-American.

Gates claimed three individual NCAA National Championships, as she won the 50 freestyle in both 2011 and 2012 and captured the title in the 100 freestyle as a senior. She was a 10-time NCAA All-American and won five conference titles as a senior. Gates holds six school records and twice competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials following her collegiate career.

Lockhart won the NCAA National Championship in the high jump in 1985, becoming the first female national champion in school history. She captured the PSAC title in the 100-meter dash as a freshman and closed her career as the league champion in the high jump.

McKinney was a three-time WBCA All-American and three-time PSAC West Athlete of the Year. She was a starter on the 2004 NCAA Division II National Championship Team and helped the program win three-consecutive PSAC Championships. McKinney was the first player in program history to amass 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career.

Penner was the all-time winningest pitcher in NCAA history for a decade with 141 career victories. She was the ace on back-to-back NCAA National Championship Teams in 1997-98 and was a three-time NFCA All-American. Penner was chosen National Player of the Year as a senior and was the first NCAA Division II pitcher with 50 victories in a season.

Siembak was chosen the 2003 WBCA National Player of the Year as a junior after previously starting her career at Slippery Rock. The following year, she was a starter on the NCAA Division II National Championship Team. Siembak scored over 1,100 points in two seasons with the Vulcans and totaled over 2,000 points and 1,200 rebounds in her collegiate career.

Webb ranks as the school's all-time leader with 295 hits, a .442 career average and 195 runs scored. She remains the only four-time NFCA All-American in program history – all first-team selections – and was the starting third baseman on back-to-back NCAA National Championship Teams in 1997-98.

Additionally, first-year head softball coach Kristin Erb was recognized for her stellar career while playing at Lock Haven from 2006-09. She was a four-time NFCA First-Team All-American pitcher and set the all-time NCAA Division II records for victories, innings pitched, complete games and shutouts. Erb helped the Bald Eagles win a pair of NCAA National Championships and four-straight PSAC Championships.

The PSAC was founded on March 11, 1951, and was comprised of 14 institutions as the Pennsylvania State Teachers College Athletic Conference (PSTCAC). Since then, it has grown into one of the largest conferences in the NCAA across all three divisions.

The 75th anniversary celebration continues with the release of the 75 Greatest Male Athletes on Sept. 17 and Distinguished Keystones on Sept. 24.

The initial group announced last week was the "Made in the PSAC" List, which celebrated 75 former student-athletes that went on to influential careers.