Palomar hitting star Lutz, ARC record swimmer Pitzer named CCCSIA 2024-25 State Athletes of the Year

Decorated Palomar softball batting phenom Breanna Lutz and American River record-setting swimmer Cayden Pitzer were selected as the 2024-25 California Community College Sports Information Association State Athletes of the Year for all sports.

The sports information association (CCCSIA) started the State AOTY honors in 2011-12. List of All Winners, click here

CCCSIA 2024-25 WOMEN'S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Breanna Lutz, Sophomore, Palomar College/Softball (Ramona High)

Lutz, a third baseman, established herself as one of the greatest softball players in the history of California Community College sports as she became a 2-time, National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Player of the Year as well as twice earning Southern California Player of the Year honors in her two seasons for Palomar.

A lefty batter and the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference MVP in both the 2024 and '25 seasons, Lutz was the state batting champion with a .560 average in 48 games. She helped Palomar reach the 3C2A State Championship final as the Comets' 44-5 season came up one win short in a loss to champion San Mateo.

She led the state in a remarkable seven categories including slugging percentage (.967), on-base percentage (.630), RBI (59), total hits (84), total runs scored (72), and total bases (145). Lutz slugged 10 home runs, 19 doubles and six triples. A solid fielder as well, she helped start two key, 5-4-3 double plays in an state tourney elimination win over El Camino.

Lutz contact hitting was also Tony Gwynn-esque as she struck out only twice in 184 plate appearances, both of those against top pitchers at the state tourney. She posted the highest batting average by a SoCal Region player in seven years.

Selected as All-American in consecutive seasons, her career numbers were staggering at 153 hits, 123 runs, 114 RBI, 44 doubles, and a .526 overall batting average.

Lutz helped Palomar to two state tournament appearances, a pair of PCAC championships, and an 85-11 winning record (.885).

She is just the second softball player to win the prestigious state AOTY honor.

CCCSIA 2024-25 MEN'S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Cayden Pitzer, Sophomore, American River College/Swimming (Del Oro High, Loomis)

Pitzer put on a clinic at the 3C2A State Championships, etching his name among the greats in CCC swimming for American River.

The speedy Pitzer set state meet records in two individual events and two medley relays while finishing as part of seven total event champions. Despite his all-world performance, the Beavers settled for state runner-up to champion and fellow Big 8 Conference foe Sierra, just nine points back of the Wolverines.

Pitzer was named both Tri-Swimmer of the Meet and won Performance of the Meet awards at the state event held at Santa Rosa Junior College. 

The sophomore started things by setting a state meet record in the prelims for the 200-yard individual medley at 1:46.80 (he later won the event gold at 1:47.63). In the opening men's event, he helped the Beavers win the 200-yard freestyle relay. He then participated on a state record-setting swim as ARC won the 400 medley relay.

Pitzer opened Day 2 with another state record as he joined teammates Josh Branson, David Tsypan, and Gar Long to win gold in the 200 medley relay (1:28.86). He then busted an 11-year record with a magnificent new state standard of 52.98 in the 100 breaststroke. On the final day, Pitzer missed another state record by just .03 with his first place triumph in the 200 breaststroke. Fittingly, he helped ARC close the meet with a win in the 400 freestyle relay.

Pitzer recently earned a scholarship to continue his academic/swimming career at the University of Kentucky.

It is the fourth time that a swimmer won the men's AOTY award.

 Release by Robert Lewis, CCCSIA Executive Board member