Leah Cornwell '02

April 10, 2002

GENEVA, N.Y.—Two William Smith College student-athletes were recently recognized by the New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association for their outstanding achievements in both the classroom and athletics. Seniors Leah Cornwell (Wheatland-Chili/Scottsville, N.Y.) and Kelly VanGorden (Palmyra-Macedon/Geneva, N.Y.) were both named NYSWCAA Scholar-Athletes.

Cornwell, an All-American in both basketball and soccer, is a psychology major. On the hardwood, she is one of only five Herons to score more than 1,100 career points and grab more than 700 career rebounds. The team’s leader in scoring and rebounding this season, she completed her four-year career with 1,192 points (9th all-time) and 704 rebounds (5th). A 2002 WBCA and Women’s DIII News honorable mention All-American, Cornwell helped the Herons to a 77-29 record (.726) during her career, including the 1999 UCAA Championship, two NCAA Tournament berths, and an ECAC Upstate Tournament bid.

On the soccer pitch, Cornwell started each of the past three seasons in goal for William Smith, compiling a 45-11-2 record (.793), including 19 shutouts. A 2001 NSCAA first-team All-American, she boasts a 0.70 goals against average and an .859 save percentage. The Herons have won two UCAA Championships and earned three NCAA Tournament invitations—reaching the quarterfinals in each of the past two seasons—during her career.

VanGorden, a psychology and sociology major, is a three-time All-American for the William Smith swimming team. The Heron record holder in the 50-yard breaststroke, the 100 breaststroke, the 200 breaststroke, the 100 individual medley, and the 200 IM, she qualified for the NCAA Championship meet in each of her four seasons. She won three UCAA individual championships and two NYSWCAA Championship during her career. VanGorden captured her first All-American honors at the 2001 NCAA Championship meet, garnering first-team accolades for her seventh place finish in the 100 breaststroke and All-American honorable mention with a 12th place finish in the 200 breaststroke. This season, she earned All-American honorable mention again with a ninth place finish in the 100 breaststroke.

NYSWCAA Scholar-Athletes are selected on the basis of the following criteria: minimum 3.0 grade point average; academic and athletic excellence; and nominees should be a source of pride to their institution both on and off the playing arena. In all, NYSWCAA honored eight scholar-athletes. They will be honored at a banquet in Cooperstown on May 6.

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