Karen La Rosa Named Regional Assistant Coach of the Year
NEW ORLEANS, La. (Track & Field) – The U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) named the 2024-25 regional coaches of the year. Karen La Rosa was named the 2024-25 Outdoor Track & Field Assistant Coach of the Year for the Atlantic Region.
Coach La Rosa has coached the Lakehawk cross country teams for the last six seasons and has coached the track & field team for their first two seasons.
La Rosa's athletes saw a lot of success this year in competition with the team ranking within the top-15 and as high as No. 10 within in the Atlantic Region. Additionally, the Lakehawks posted top-five regional marks in five events, including 400-Meter Hurdle regional leader Oksanna Smith.
Smith's best time of 1:03.40 in the 400-Meter Hurdles achieved on Apr. 25 at the UCF Knights Classic ranked her top in the Atlantic Region. She went on to compete at the outdoor national championship and took 14th overall in the event.
Jaden Miler ranked second regionally and 21st nationally in the long jump with her season best time of 5.68m, which qualified for nationals. She also ranked fifth in the triple jump with her best mark of 10.87m.
Mid-Distance runner Sade Lee ranked eighth regionally in the 800m with a time of 2:28.93 and the 1500m with a time of 5:23.43. Lee holds both program records.
The final athlete, Leah Sowers, ranked fourth regionally in the pole vault with a mark of 3.51m. Sowers is the first Lakehawk to compete in this event.
Head Coach Cristy Snellgroves shared her thoughts on Coach La Rosa, "It is an honor so well deserved, as Coach La Rosa has poured her heart and soul into this team. She works tirelessly to motivate, encourage, and support our athletes every step of the way."
Transitioning from track & field to cross country, the Lakehawks will kick off preseason in August. Track & field will begin training again at the conclusion of the cross country season with indoor season beginning in late January.
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