May 12, 2009
By Katie Brunson
LAS VEGAS - Over the past four seasons senior Lekeisha Lawson has seen a little of everything as a college sprinter - going through injuries and a coaching change midway through her - but the Rebel has had success on and off the track.
And as she enters the final leg of her Rebel career, Lawson is looking forward to leaving a last mark at the 2009 Mountain West Conference Outdoor Championships. She enters the meet with having already qualified for the NCAA West Regional in the 100 meters with a time of 11.72, which is the third-fastest time in the league. Lawson has also the sixth-fastest league time in the 200 meters at 24.24
"Over the next couple of weeks I want to train hard and focus on staying healthy," Lawson said. "I'm looking forward to making it to nationals again."
Lawson began her career with the Rebels back in the 2005-2006 school year and she quickly became one of the top sprinters for UNLV and started making a serious impact at each meet she attended. Her rookie season was not one to forget, as she was able to place third at the Mountain West Conference Outdoor Championships in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.69. Following the conference championships she went on to the NCAA West Regional meet where she competed in the 100 meters taking 11th place with a time of 11.74.
As Lawson's sophomore year came around she battled injuries and was limited to running just the indoor season with only a few meets during the outdoor season. "I've had a lot of injuries hold me back over the past three years but I've been able to overcome them time and time again," said Lawson.
It was after her sophomore season that UNLV made a coaching change, as Barbara Ferrell-Edmonson resigned and the Rebels hired Yvonne Scott-Williams as the fourth head coach in school history.
Although it has taken time to adjust and get her body comfortable with a new coach, Lawson says she can't complain and that she has been very blessed with the coaching staff she has had here at UNLV, and ultimately she feels like she has ended up with the best coach for her.
That was evident during Lawson's junior year, which was a healthy one that produced strong results on the track, including a trip to the NCAA Championships. She was able to qualify for the NCAA West Regional in the 4x100 meter relay, and that squad advanced onto the NCAA Championships, and it was an experience Lawson won't soon forget.
While she is not quite ready to look back at her career with at least two more meets ahead for the native of Victorville, Calif., Lawson's four years as a Rebel have been one's that she will never forget. She was always a point scorer at every conference and regional meet she has attended, and while she is guaranteed of running in the 100 meters at this year's NCAA West Regional, a return trip to the NCAA Championships would be a perfect cap to a stellar four years wearing the Scarlet and Gray.
