Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Rower Colby Orcutt Receives High School Heisman National Award
12/14/2021 11:24:00 AM | Women's Rowing
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State freshman rower Colby Orcutt was honored last weekend at the Heisman Trophy Ceremony in New York City for her reception of the Heisman High School National Award in 2020.
Due to last year's event being virtual-only, Orcutt was honored along with this year's recipients and the 2020 male winner.
"I'm so honored to receive such an award because it recognizes not only athletic and academic accomplishments, but most importantly, leadership and community service," Orcutt said of the honor." "It was an amazing experience to share the weekend with the Heisman nominees. It was also an honor to get to wear green and represent Michigan State and the Rowing team at the Heisman ceremony in NYC!"
The Heisman High School National Award honors high school students who have excelled in the classroom as well as made significant impacts in their community and athletics. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, show excellent school and community leadership, and participate in high school or Olympic-level sports. Out of all applicants, 12 national finalists are chosen, two from each of the six scholarship regions the committee identifies. From there, two winners are chosen, one senior male and one senior female, as recipients of the High School Heisman Award and a $10,000 college scholarship.
Typically, the Heisman Trophy is known for being given to that year's best college football player in the nation. But the Heisman Trust also has a charitable mission to support amateur athletics and provide greater opportunities to young student-athletes. The award and scholarship has been awarded yearly since 1994 to honor the nation's most accomplished and community-minded student-athletes.
Orcutt, a native of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was the 2020 female winner of the Heisman High School Scholarship. At Fort Walton Beach High School, she was a member of her swimming, soccer, track & field and cross country teams, and was team captain of the latter three. In addition, she participated in modern pentathlon, where she was a two-time All-American, two-time member of the USA Pentathlon Youth National Team, and participated in both the 2019 Youth World Championships and the 2018 Pan-American Championships, where she was a bronze medalist. Most recently, she was the No. 2 champion at the USA Pentathlon National Selection competition.
Academically, Orcutt ranked third in her class and was a member of several scholastic honor societies. She was All-Academic and a Scholar Athlete in each of her high school sports, as well as a USA Pentathlon Academic All-American. She logged over 1,000 hours of service in her community, was the Girl Scout Gold Award recipient and was named a Distinguished Young Woman in of America 2021. She spent volunteer hours as a tutor, a swim coach, a church youth group leader, a hurricane relief volunteer and assisted at her local food bank.
Orcutt found herself adrift in March 2020. With 15 varsity letters across multiple sports under her belt, as well as several pentathlon titles, she had to search for new ways to stay involved within her school while sports were sidelined. She stayed busy logging numerous hours of community service, volunteer coached, and created as well as led several school clubs.
Along with the 2021 winners and her fellow 2020 honoree, Orcutt attended the Heisman ceremony on December 11. She was honored alongside 2021 Heisman winner Bryce Young of Alabama and received her own trophy for the Heisman High School National Award. Orcutt also shares the unique honor of being the one of the only siblings to win the award. Her brother Daniel was a 2016 winner, and her sister Tori won in 2019.
"Colby's commitment to service and her community during the challenges of COVID-19 embraces the spirit of the Heisman High School Scholarship Program," head rowing coach Kim Chavers said. "We're so proud of Colby on this incredible accomplishment. In the short time Colby has been a Spartan, she's demonstrated this same commitment to her Michigan State community through her leadership within our rowing program and service to the Air Force ROTC Program."
Read more about the award and Colby's journey HERE.Â
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Due to last year's event being virtual-only, Orcutt was honored along with this year's recipients and the 2020 male winner.
"I'm so honored to receive such an award because it recognizes not only athletic and academic accomplishments, but most importantly, leadership and community service," Orcutt said of the honor." "It was an amazing experience to share the weekend with the Heisman nominees. It was also an honor to get to wear green and represent Michigan State and the Rowing team at the Heisman ceremony in NYC!"
The Heisman High School National Award honors high school students who have excelled in the classroom as well as made significant impacts in their community and athletics. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, show excellent school and community leadership, and participate in high school or Olympic-level sports. Out of all applicants, 12 national finalists are chosen, two from each of the six scholarship regions the committee identifies. From there, two winners are chosen, one senior male and one senior female, as recipients of the High School Heisman Award and a $10,000 college scholarship.
Typically, the Heisman Trophy is known for being given to that year's best college football player in the nation. But the Heisman Trust also has a charitable mission to support amateur athletics and provide greater opportunities to young student-athletes. The award and scholarship has been awarded yearly since 1994 to honor the nation's most accomplished and community-minded student-athletes.
Orcutt, a native of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was the 2020 female winner of the Heisman High School Scholarship. At Fort Walton Beach High School, she was a member of her swimming, soccer, track & field and cross country teams, and was team captain of the latter three. In addition, she participated in modern pentathlon, where she was a two-time All-American, two-time member of the USA Pentathlon Youth National Team, and participated in both the 2019 Youth World Championships and the 2018 Pan-American Championships, where she was a bronze medalist. Most recently, she was the No. 2 champion at the USA Pentathlon National Selection competition.
Academically, Orcutt ranked third in her class and was a member of several scholastic honor societies. She was All-Academic and a Scholar Athlete in each of her high school sports, as well as a USA Pentathlon Academic All-American. She logged over 1,000 hours of service in her community, was the Girl Scout Gold Award recipient and was named a Distinguished Young Woman in of America 2021. She spent volunteer hours as a tutor, a swim coach, a church youth group leader, a hurricane relief volunteer and assisted at her local food bank.
Orcutt found herself adrift in March 2020. With 15 varsity letters across multiple sports under her belt, as well as several pentathlon titles, she had to search for new ways to stay involved within her school while sports were sidelined. She stayed busy logging numerous hours of community service, volunteer coached, and created as well as led several school clubs.
Along with the 2021 winners and her fellow 2020 honoree, Orcutt attended the Heisman ceremony on December 11. She was honored alongside 2021 Heisman winner Bryce Young of Alabama and received her own trophy for the Heisman High School National Award. Orcutt also shares the unique honor of being the one of the only siblings to win the award. Her brother Daniel was a 2016 winner, and her sister Tori won in 2019.
"Colby's commitment to service and her community during the challenges of COVID-19 embraces the spirit of the Heisman High School Scholarship Program," head rowing coach Kim Chavers said. "We're so proud of Colby on this incredible accomplishment. In the short time Colby has been a Spartan, she's demonstrated this same commitment to her Michigan State community through her leadership within our rowing program and service to the Air Force ROTC Program."
Read more about the award and Colby's journey HERE.Â
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Players Mentioned
/ Women's Rowing
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