As one of CPP’s only dual athletes, Jazminn Parrish, a sophomore civil engineering student, was “pleasantly shocked” when she received the women’s volleyball Freshman of the Year Award and was selected as one of the five athletes named to the 2020 U.S. Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association All-West Region Team for the 4×400 meter relay.
The coaches decide which freshman acquires the award based on the player’s statistics and effort put forth during the season.
“I feel like my work ethic was what made them choose me,” Parrish said.
In an interview with Assistant Athletics Director of Communications Tyler Lobe prior to Parrish’s first season at CPP, volleyball Head Coach Traci Dahl discussed how Parrish would have the opportunity to be an “impact player” early in her athletic career due to the loss of senior players.
Parrish thrived in this new environment, exceeding the expectations of her coaches and as an outside hitter. She was one of three Broncos to appear in all 24 volleyball matches, starting in 15 of those matches. Parrish executed 24 kills against Concordia University, tying for third-most in a single match in the CPP record book for a 25-point scoring era. Parrish earned a team-best of 16 kills in a match against Cal State LA.
In February, Parrish ran the second leg of CPP’s fastest 4×400 relay at Rossi Relays in Claremont, which timed 3:59.68, earning her second place. Parrish traveled with the track team to Allendale, Michigan, where, on the first day, she ran the third leg of the third place 4×400 relay, which clocked 3:51.32. On the second day of the track meet, Parrish ran the second leg of the winning 4×400 relay with an NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 3:50.52.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Parrish mastered balancing the demands of both the volleyball and track teams.
The volleyball season is during the fall, making it more manageable to begin training for the upcoming track season in the spring, while continuing to practice with the volleyball team.
“Going from volleyball practices to track lifting, and then to track practice,” Parrish experienced many ice baths in order to prevent injuries and recuperate her body after such intense back-to-back workouts.
Along with the demands of her two teams, Parrish has been challenged with difficult civil engineering major courses, such as linear algebra and physics.
“I really had to push myself to be organized,” said Parrish. “I had a set schedule that I had to stick to, and it was very effective when I followed it.”
For four years, Parrish competed in both volleyball and track at Gahr High School in Cerritos, California, so she knew what to expect when continuing her dual athletic career at CPP.
Beginning in sixth grade, Parrish began her volleyball career at a club volleyball team; however, her love for track began in elementary school when she would “outrun the boys” in her co-ed soccer team.
Along with her impressive athletic accomplishments, Parrish plans to distribute her determined work ethic toward a career path in civil engineering.
Unlike typical civil engineers that focus on the construction of major public works, such as buildings, airports or highways, Parrish hopes to put a twist on her degree by focusing on helping homeless people and developing countries by creating sustainable, affordable and easily-accessible tools for them.
“A lot of their basic needs aren’t being met when it comes to food, shelter and water,” said Parrish. “If I have the power to do something, I will help people in need.”
Parrish explained that the desire to help people in needs stemmed from her mother’s support throughout her volleyball career.
“She’s always been there and has never left my side,” Parrish said. “Any mistakes I made, she’d say, ‘You’re human and you can get through it.’”
With the constant support of her mother and her many teammates, Parrish is determined to continue being a dual athlete for the rest of her time at CPP.