GROVE CITY — Sarah Cessar was the most shocked person in the room when her name was called.

But it was, and Cessar realized she had just been named Sportswoman of the Year at Grove City College.

“I looked at all my friends who were sitting with me and they were all happy for me,” Cessar said. “It’s hard for me to put myself in that kind of company.”

It’s one of the most prestigious awards a Grove City College Athlete can receive, and the Slippery Rock High graduate never thought she would earn such a high honor.

“I remember seeing Angela Palumbo in the halls,” Cessar said of the swimmer, who graduated last year as the only GCC female athlete to win the Sportswoman of the Year award twice. “She is an incredible athlete and person. I was very flattered, that’s for sure. There are a lot of great athletes and a lot of well-rounded individuals and athletes at Grove City College.”

The award was first given at Grove City College in 1948 and was split into Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards in 1982.

Cessar earned her spot on the prestigious list by excelling in multiple sports at the collegiate level.

Cessar earned eight letters with the Wolverines — all four years as a midfielder for the women’s soccer team, three years as a middle distance runner for the women’s track and field team and one year as a forward on the women’s basketball team during her freshman year.

“I think my senior year I finally considered myself a track athlete,” Cessar said. “I had thought of it as a way to stay in shape for soccer, but I enjoyed it so much.”

Cessar gave up basketball after her freshman season at Grove City, but found herself still missing the sport as late as her senior year.

“I think what I missed most was the people,” Cessar said. “In high school, we had so much fun. I miss Karly (Rhoads) and Kourtney (Rhoads) and Ali (Doyle) and Adele (Campbell).”

Cessar enjoyed soccer most of all.

In the fall, Cessar earned a NSCAA First Team All-Great Lakes Region nod at midfield for the second straight year. She became the first Grove City women’s soccer player to earn first team all-region honors in back-to-back seasons.

As a senior, Cessar started 22 matches and was second on the team in goals scored (seven), assists (six) and total points (20).

She was a First Team All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference selection for the second consecutive season and ended her career with 18 goals and 11 assists in 73 matches.

Grove City went 50-28-6 in her career.

The win total is the number she is most proud of.

“Oh my gosh, I was lucky to play with some very talented players and talented athletes,” Cessar said. “Some of the best people I’ve ever been around were my teammates and friends on that team. I was so lucky to be around them.”

On the track, Cessar held the 3,000 steeplechase record for the Wolverines for two years and is currently second on the all-time list in the event.

She finished seventh in the 5,000 meters at the PAC Championships this spring to help Grove City to the conference title.

Cessar, who graduated this spring with a degree in biology/secondary education, is currently looking for a teaching position.

She said she would also like to coach.

But what sport?

“That’s the million-dollar question,” she said, laughing. “I’d be most comfortable coaching soccer or basketball, but I think I can coach track and field, too. I would absolutely love to coach. That’s the dream.”