Wingate's Lawless Voted SAC Women's Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Wingate University's Amber Lawless has been named the South Atlantic Conference Women's Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Conference office announced today.

A native of Perth, Australia, Lawless capped off an outstanding collegiate career by excelling academically, athletically and through community service. A senior elementary education major, she graduated with a perfect 4.000 GPA and earned Third Team Academic All-America honors during the 2025 season. She was also a two-time recipient of the SAC Elite 23 Award for indoor track and field and was named to the Wingate University President's List every semester. In addition, Lawless received both the Haskins Award and the Helms Award for graduating with a perfect GPA.

On the track, Lawless established herself as one of the premier throwers in the SAC and the Southeast Region throughout her four-year career. She earned All-SAC honors in the shot put and discus multiple times and was a two-time SAC indoor and outdoor shot put champion during her junior and senior seasons.

As a freshman, Lawless earned All-SAC and All-Southeast Region honors in the indoor shot put. She followed that with All-SAC outdoor discus honors and All-Southeast Region recognition in both the indoor shot put and outdoor discus as a sophomore. During her junior season, she swept SAC indoor and outdoor shot put titles while also collecting All-Southeast Region accolades in the indoor shot put and outdoor shot put and discus.

Her senior campaign was highlighted by another pair of SAC indoor and outdoor shot put championships, All-SAC honors in the outdoor discus and a berth at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field National Championships in the shot put. Lawless earned Second Team All-America honors in the indoor shot put to cap her stellar career.

Away from competition, Lawless made a lasting impact through leadership and service initiatives both in the United States and her native Australia. She served as a mentor and coach for youth track and field athletes ranging from ages four to 17, volunteered with community organizations and school fundraisers and conducted track and field coaching clinics in regional Western Australia.

"Amber is the student and future teacher that education professors dream of teaching," said Dr. Tarra Ellis, education professor and dean at Wingate University. "She has been a conscientious student with a sincere hunger for knowledge and an authentic desire to be the best for her future students."

Lawless also completed undergraduate research focused on teaching elementary-level phonics across dialect differences while balancing the demands of student teaching and collegiate athletics.

The SAC Scholar-Athlete Award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each Conference-sponsored sport who excels in academics, athletics, leadership and community service.

SAC Women's Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year Finalists

• Amber Lawless (Wingate) - Winner
• Molly McGrath (LRU)
• Tess Sommervell (EHU)