Oruha Hayashi Named Betty Jo Graber Award Winner

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The NJCAA has announced today that Iowa Western Women's Soccer Forward Oruha Hayashi has been named the Betty Jo Graber Award winner and will be recognized at the 2025 NJCAA Hall of Fame and Awards presented by Nufabrx on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Hilton Charlotte University Place in Charlotte, NC.

The Betty Jo Graber Award was created by the NJCAA in 1992. Graber was an influential leader in the Association and helped pioneer the creation of the Women's Division of the NJCAA in 1975.  Graber was a leader who exhibited dedication, service, and resilience - traits that are recognized annually to the top female student-athlete with the award named in her honor.

The two-time United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year helped the Reivers to the 2023 NJCAA D1 Women's Soccer National Championship and a semi-final appearance this past season.

The Sophomore from Japan scored 44 goals and assisted 38 others over her two-year career, including 25 goals and 19 assists last year. A 2024 First-Team All-American, Hayashi was the 2024 ICCAC Player of the Year and a two-time ICCAC First-Team All-Region member.  She was also selected twice to the NJCAA Championship All-Tournament team, earning the tournament's Most Valuable Offensive Player in 2023.

A 2023-24 NJCAA All-Academic team honoree, Hayashi signed to continue her athletic career at UCLA in March.

Hayashi becomes the second Reiver to win this award; Yadhira Anchante took home the honor in 2022 after leading Iowa Western Volleyball to back-to-back national titles in the 2021 Spring and Fall seasons.

Tickets for the event are $125 for attendees and registration is required to attend.  To register and to learn more regarding the NJCAA Foundation Awards event, visit: HERE.