Heartland Conference

WACO, Texas – Hannah Fields, a recent graduate of St. Mary’s University, has been named the 2016 Heartland Conference Woman of the Year after an outstanding career with the Rattlers on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

The Heartland Woman of the Year Award is given to an outstanding graduating female student-athlete who demonstrates excellence in competition, in the classroom and in their community. Fields is the second straight Rattler to win the award following for St. Mary’s softball player Haley Richter in 2015.

Fields had the most productive season of her four-year career in 2016 averaging .306 with 18 runs batted in while starting all 60 games in the outfield to help lead the Rattlers to their third straight Division II Super Regional appearance. The four-year starter was twice named to the Heartland Conference Championship All-Tournament Team in 2015 and 2016 and was a part of four NCAA Regional Tournament squads. Fields was also named to the All-Tournament Team during the 2013 Regional Tournament.
 
Even more impressive than her work on the diamond are her accomplishments in the classroom as a chemistry major.
 
Fields completed her undergraduate career with a 3.89 cumulative GPA while earning St. Mary’s Presidential Award in 2016 exemplifying “leadership ideals of scholarship and service”. She was also named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar-Athlete in each of her four seasons with the Rattlers (2013-2016) and a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection in 2016.
 
“As I close the door to one chapter in my life, I look ahead to the future with the most influential experiences, lessons and opportunities that I have gained at St. Mary’s University,” Fields said in a statement that accompanied her nomination.
 
During her academic career, the San Antonio, Texas native also served as an undergraduate research intern for regenerative medicine and extremity trauma for the Fort Sam Houston Institute of Surgical Research. Following her graduation from StMU in May, Fields is working towards continuing her medical career by applying to physician assistant school and pharmacy school.
 
When Fields wasn’t in the classroom, on the field or in the library she was cultivating her passion for community service.
 
The senior served with over 10 non-profit organizations during her college career including Haven for Hope, a non-profit dedicated to providing new beginnings for those experiencing homelessness, and Pets Alive, a local non-profit animal adoption shelter. Fields also served on the St. Mary’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) all four years at StMU including a term as Vice President (2015) and President (2016).
 
“As a result of my experiences, I have developed into a proactive leader and community member and have embodied a mission that fosters respect for community and myself,” said Fields. “I have found my passion to serve and care for others, leading to my aspiration to continue serving my community in the medical field as a physician assistant. I want to ensure that our community receives the utmost care that it deserves and that my patients know they are cared about.”
 
Fields was one of six Heartland student-athletes nominated for the award and becomes the third St. Mary’s Rattler to earn the conference honor. Other nominees included Nicole Hampton (Lubbock Christian), Kelsey Hoppel (Lubbock Christian), Kelsey Bruce (Dallas Baptist), Jessica Prieto (Texas A&M International) and Katherine Donahue (St. Edward’s). After being named the Heartland Conference Woman of the Year, Fields advances for national consideration for the 26th annual NCAA Woman of the Year.
 
A complete list of NCAA Woman of the Year conference nominees is expected to be released later this month.