R.I. Track & Field Foundation
Ellie Lawler, the South Kingstown sophomore who this past fall captured the state cross country title with a time of 17:29.3, has been named Gatorade’s Female Runner of the Year for Rhode Island. She finished her 2015 cross country as a first-team R.I. Coaches Association all-state selection.
“I am extremely excited to have received the Gatorade Runner of the Year for 2015,’’ Lawler said. “It is an honor recognized for not only the hard work on the course and in the classroom, but also for working with others in the community.’’
After her winning performance at the State Meet on the Ponaganset High 3.1-mile course, Lawler placed second at the New England Championships in Thetford, Vt. with a time of 18:32.9, more than 30 seconds ahead of the third-place finisher on a challenging course.
After finishing eighth at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional qualifier in Van Cortlandt Park, New York City, Lawler traveled to San Diego, California for the National Championships on Dec. 12. There, she earned All-American honors on the strength of her 14th-place finish in 17:29.2. (In the 36-year history of the Foot Locker Nationals, Lawler became only the third Rhode Island female to compete; the second – behind Laura Turner, of Porsmouth High in 1997 – to attain All-American status.)
“Participating on a close-knit team with great coaching, while getting a chance to compete with such a strong group of Rhode Island runners was especially rewarding,’’ Lawler said.
Lawler, who maintains a 4.90 GPA in the classroom, also performs volunteer work in her community, and is a successful member of the South Kingstown swim team. She will run track in the spring season.