THE WINNER: Jessica Lawson
THE BASICS
School: Corning-Painted Post (Corning, N.Y.)
Grade: Junior
Position: Distance Runner
Height: 5-foot-6
Athletic achievement: The distance runner raced to the New York Federation Championship this past season with a time of 17:46.8. The state's Gatorade Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year as a freshman, Lawson finished second at the Class A state championships, second at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional championships and took 11th nationally at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in 17:49.3. She set course records while winning the Manhattan Invitational and the Section IV championship.
Academic excellence: Lawson has maintained an A average.
Exemplary character: An active member of the 4H Club, she has volunteered locally on behalf of a Christmas food basket program for the needy.
THE PRAISE
"Jessica is a very unique talent with a lot of natural ability," said Corning indoor track coach Andrew Cartwright. "What is great about her is that she enjoys the daily task of training and trying to improve. It's a year-long effort, and six days a week she is making herself better."
THE FUTURE: Lawson will begin her senior year of high school this fall.