UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; April 3, 2019 – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team has announced the signing of another outstanding student-athlete to a National Letter of Intent (NLIs). Jemma Punch (McDowall, Australia) becomes the ninth member of head coach Char Morett-Curtiss' superb class of incoming players.
"I am very excited about the 2019 class and their passion for Penn State Field Hockey," said Morett-Curtiss. "All of these outstanding field hockey players are excellent students, leaders in their respective schools and will represent Penn State as first class student-athletes. This class covers every position from strikers to goalkeeping so we have a bright future and they will certainly add depth and talent to the team."
Jemma Punch – McDowall, Queensland, Australia/Brisbane State High School
Australian Jemma Punch comes to Penn State after establishing herself as one of the top youth players in all of Australia. Punch helped lead Brisbane State High School to a stunning six straight championships from 2013 to 2018. She was named to the following teams during her playing days in Queensland: U15 Queensland in 2015; U16 Queensland School Girl, U18 Queensland and U16 Australian School Girl in 2016; U18 Queensland and U19 Queensland School Girl in 2017; and U19 Queensland School Girl, U18 Queensland and U21 Queensland in 2018. Punch, a midfielder/forward, is the daughter of Kerri-Ann and Darren Punch. She has three younger siblings; brothers Corey and Cooper and sister Lily.
Morett-Curtiss on Punch: "Jemma has an incredible competitive spirit and field hockey skill set. We are excited to have our first Australian on the roster. Stuart Smith was instrumental in recruiting Jemma to Penn State with his Aussie appeal. Jemma has the versatility to play on the forward line or in the midfield. She has quickness and speed that make her a very dangerous attacker. We welcome Jemma and her parents Kerri-Ann and Darren Punch to the Penn State Family."
Punch joins the previously announced group that includes Lauren Delgado (East Earl, Pa.), Emily Farrell (Wyoming, Pa.), Carly Gannon (Havertown, Pa.), Kelsey Love (State College, Pa.), Evelyn Murray (Virginia Beach, Va.), Aubrey Mytych (Wyoming, Pa.), Paityn Wirth (Thompsontown, Pa.) and Elena Vos (Grave, The Netherlands).
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on twitter @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
