Corning distance standout Sarah Lawson signs to run at Syracuse University
Sarah Lawson's signing ceremony Friday afternoon celebrating her decision to run at Syracuse University was also about family and team. Or team and family. Take your pick.
With three siblings preceding her as standout runners at Corning and college programs, a younger brother coming up quickly behind them and their dad among their coaches, the family aspect of Sarah's individual accomplishments is hard to minimize.
She was joined by her parents, Ray and Julie Lawson, along with recently married older sister Jessica (Lawson) McGorty, a multiple-time New York state champion, at the ceremony. Other family members, coaches, teammates and friends were also part of the large turnout.
Sarah, one day shy of her 18th birthday, took time to thank all of them as she committed to Division I Syracuse, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
She considered attending a school somewhere warmer, but smiled and said she's handled Northeast weather for this long, adding it's not that bad. Bottom line was Syracuse offered what she was looking for in a college.
"I've been really lucky here to have a group of girls who are dedicated and hard-working, but it's exciting to be with a team and a program where the whole focus is taking running to another level," Sarah said. "When I did my visit there, I was able to find they have the balance between still having fun, but also treating this as the next level of running."
Section 4 Girls Cross Country: Corning wins 5th straight title behind championship No. 3 for Sarah Lawson
Lawson family reunion
Ray Lawson joked before introducing Sarah that it was important to acknowledge the genetic gifts she inherited and the perfect parenting she has received. Moments later, he went from dad jokes to talking about why he's such a proud dad.
"I'm definitely going to miss her next year," said Ray, who was a member of the University of Rochester's 1991 NCAA Division III national championship team. "She's been a big part of making this enjoyable for me, but I'm really proud of her. I'm sure she is ready to do well at the next level and she's going to contribute to that Syracuse team I believe in a big way."
Sarah, who lives in Addison, thanked her parents for the support and encouragement they provide her every day. She shouted out sister Alicia and brother Nathan, her first training partners. Both followed in their dad's footsteps in competing at the University of Rochester, which is also their mom's alma mater.
Sarah added she was thankful for the support of Jessica, whom she called an inspiration and credited for helping navigate the college recruiting process. She also gave a nod to younger brother Christopher for continuing to provide motivation to remain faster than him before thanking her grandparents for their support.
Jessica, a multiple-time Stanford University running All-American who now lives in North Carolina, joined their parents and Christopher alongside Sarah at the signing table Friday.
"She has truly loved running since such a young age and it’s been incredible just to watch her keep at it, battle adversity, she’s such a wise runner too," McGorty said. "I think anyone who heard her talk today knows she’s very eloquent and very wise.
"I’m just so proud of her and I know she’s going to make a big impact at Syracuse next year and beyond. I’m so excited for her. She really deserves this."
Academic and athletic excellence
The credentials in athletics and academics are similarly sparkling for Sarah.
She carries a 4.0 grade point average while taking college credit courses, is a member of the National Honor Society and is active in her church and other activities outside of school. Lawson plans to major in engineering at Syracuse, with a focus on environmental engineering.
Her running achievements include three individual Southern Tier Athletic Conference and Section 4 Class A titles in cross country, a sport in which she twice competed at Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon, and three times was a New York state medalist.
In indoor track, Lawson is a three-time Section 4 champion in the 3000 meters and two-time All-American in the 5000. She is a two-time state medalist and two-time Section 4 champion in the outdoor 3000, with finishes of 11th and seventh in the 5000 at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals.
2023 STAC XC Championships: Corning sweeps team, individual titles
Along with the individual success are numerous league and section team titles.
"I'm so grateful to have shared my high school running experience with this team," Sarah said.
She said her initial focus on the track at Syracuse will likely be in the 5K and 10K.
"I know it's going to be a challenge, but I hope to keep improving my time there and hopefully be able to be a contributor to their cross country team and hopefully also be a contributor on the track too at some of the bigger meets," Sarah said.
Follow Andrew Legare on Twitter: @SGAndrewLegare. You can also reach him at alegare@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Corning's Sarah Lawson signs to run at Syracuse University
