Lewis continues rise with 3rd-place showing at states

Southwestern's Emma Lewis is the 2024 OBSERVER/Post-Journal Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year.
Before Emma Lewis began her high school track and field career at Southwestern, she had already reached the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships.
With those high marks set in eighth grade, Lewis managed to significantly improve during her freshman season with the Trojans.
Lewis once again found herself in the 2,000-meter steeplechase at states — an event dominated by Section VI in recent years — and she reached greater heights this season. She was just narrowly edged out for second place in Division 2, running a time of 7:09.61, which was just behind Brynn Bernard of South Lewis at 7:09.34.
“I decided I was going to trust my training,” Lewis said about her race. “Go and take it out, give it what I got, tuck in behind the girls and not worry and stress about it.”
That time not only grabbed Lewis a state medal, but put her on the Federation podium, just one of two underclassmen to do so.
“It’s one of my goals,” Lewis said after reaching the Federation podium. “So coming in to do that, did it last year, I’m just very grateful for all the prayers my family and our church has given out. I’m grateful for everybody.”
The steeplechase is where Lewis shined brightest and her best time came at the Dunkirk Invitational when she ran under seven minutes at 6:59.71. The only person to finish ahead of her in that race was Frontier’s Lillie Bogdan, who would eventually find herself in second at the New Balance Nationals.
Lewis then took sixth in the event at the 56th annual Glenn D. Loucks Games before winning at both the Section VI Class C Championships and the Section VI state qualifier.
On top of the steeplechase, Lewis shined in the 800 meters, which she won at the Golden Falcon Invitational and then recorded a personal record of 2:20.91 in the Section VI state qualifier, which earned fourth. Sticking with the distance, she also recorded a personal record in the 1,500 at the Golden Falcon Invitational with a time of 4:54.04.
However, above all, Lewis reached her highest spot on the highest podium as part of a team. Running the front leg of the 3,200-meter relay, Lewis helped guide the Trojans to second place in Division 2 at the state championships.
The Southwestern team of Lewis, Kate Miller, Tryniti Card and Marlana Cresanti posted a time of 9:32.59, which was only bested by one other public school from Division 2; Bayport-Bluepoint at 9:24.57. Lewis ran the front leg, getting the Trojans off to a quick start at 2:22.83 and when she passed off the baton they were at their highest position in the race.
In just her freshman year, Lewis grabbed a third-place and second-place medal at states and reached the federation podium for the second time in her career. With each member of the relay team returning next year and the top two Division 2 runners in the steeplechase graduating, hopes are higher for Lewis next season.
“It’s a great feeling to know that there is a hope for next year and a good chance,” Lewis stated after her season ended at states. “I’m just going to give it all that I have and trust in the Lord, He’s guiding me through it. I’m very grateful for all of the prayers my family has given out and our church, I’m just very grateful for everybody.”
For all of these reasons, Lewis is the 2024 Post-Journal/OBSERVER Female Track & Field Athlete of the Year.