Wampum Native Named River States Conference Athlete of the Year/Week

Carlow University freshman and Wampum native Keri Lechner was selected River States Conference Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year and of the Week for her performance Feb. 15-21.

“It honestly felt really amazing to be able to be named the women’s indoor track athlete of the year and week considering I’m a freshman,” Lechner said. “It’s sort of like a fever dream to me.”

A Shenango class of 2020 graduate, Lechner was voted the conference’s outstanding track athlete of the year after starring at the RSC Indoor Track & Field Championships, where she won five events and competed in seven events overall.

Lechner won the 60 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters and 60-meter hurdles to dominate the sprints.

“The hurdle races are said to be ‘my’ races because they are what I’m best at,” Lechner said.

She was also a part of the Celtics’ winning 4×400 relay.

In the field, she took second in the long jump and also placed fifth in the high jump.

“Right now, the most challenging event for me is high jump because I am very new to it and I’m still trying to get all the crazy techniques down,” Lechner said.

She was also named RSC Women’s Indoor Track & Field Newcomer of the Year.

While at Shenango, Lechner participated in track all four years and played soccer for local teams. Family support and her love of track prompted her to continue the sport in college.

“What made me want to pursue track in college was mainly my family,” she said. “They love to watch me go out and perform and I just love running and making them proud.”

Although the nursing major is making waves already in her freshman year, she can’t forget the support of those who helped her get to where she is today.

“One thing I really miss about my hometown is definitely my family,” Lechner said. “I also miss my Shenango track family and coaches. They encouraged me along the way from the start of my track career.”

Lechner is enjoying her accomplishments and is looking forward to achieving more.

“I could not be more thankful for my coach, teammates, and family who encouraged me all the way on this journey,” Lechner said. “It’s just the beginning of greater things to come.”