NYSPHSAA TRACK AND FIELD: CORNING'S MCLAUGHLIN CAPTURES STATE GOLD IN THE LJ WITH DOMINANT DAY; LAWSON, CONWAY EARN STATE MEDALS (21 PHOTOS) (June 13, 2026)

Southern Tier Sports Report
WEBSTER — Corning senior Cella McLaughlin turned in the six best jumps of her season as she captured the state title in the girls’ long jump at the NYSPHSAA Track and Field Championships. 

“It’s honestly surreal to win long, coming in not seeded very high,” McLaughlin said. “I just wanted to give it my all and hope to see a good outcome.”

Corning coach Ray Lawson was impressed with the performance by McLaughlin, who is also the defending state champion in the 100 hurdles.

“She was seeded seventh coming into the meet and had her best six jumps of the season at the state meet, so I’d say she is a big-time big-meet performer.”

McLaughlin started the day at 19-feet, 1 3/4-inches, to lead after one jump. She went 19-feet, 2-inches on her next jump, and sat second after two jumps.

On her third jump McLaughlin went 19-feet, 9 3/4-inches to take the lead. She had a 19-feet, 2 1/4-inches on her next jump and then had her winning jump oat 19-feet, 11 1/4-inches. Her final jump was 19-feet, 7 1/4-inches. 

McLaughlin had the three biggest jumps of the day and six of the top nine jumps on the day. 

“I’m very proud that I was able to lock in and PR as I haven’t been able to all season,” McLaughlin said. I’ve felt like I’ve been in a bit of a slump for long jump all outdoor, so the PR was like a breath of fresh air.”

Facing some tough competition just pushed McLaughlin even further.

“The competition is amazing for not just long, but all over event groups, so being up there with all those girls was so amazing,” McLaughlin said. “I’m so excited to see what hurdles bring tomorrow.”

McLaughlin will look to repeat as hurdles champion on Sunday as she finished with the top time in the prelims in 13.83, nearly .4 seconds faster than anyone else in the field. 

Christopher Lawson finished fifth in the state (in Class A public school), in the 3200. He had a personal best time of 9:12.95. 

Corning’s Reese Conway finished sixth in Class A in the pole vault at 11 feet to bring home a state medal. 

Ethan Wentzel missed the finals in the 110 hurdles by one spot on Saturday. HE was ninth in the prelims in 15.63. 

Clare McLaughlin is 26th in the pentathlon after three events. She took 23rd in the 100 hurdles, 24th in the high jump at jump and 14th in the shot put. 

Ryan Calkins finished 14th in the 400 meters in 51.51. IN the girls’ race Chinonyerem Okoro finished 13th in 1:00.64. 

Samantha Harvey finished 13th in the discus with a throw of 94-feet, 4-inches. 
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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR. Podium shots provided. 

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