Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University senior thrower Amber Lawless (Perth, Western Australia) is this week's South Atlantic Conference WePlayed Sports Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week, league officials announce from corporate headquarters. Lawless earns this recognition for the first time in her illustrious indoor career.
 
Lawless achieved a personal-best shot put toss of 14.71 meters at the JDL Mondo College Invitational Saturday, January 17. Her shot put effort is the top mark in the SAC this season and qualifies her for the '26 NCAA Division II indoor national championship meet.
 
During her three years as a Bulldog, Wingate has won six South Atlantic Conference championships with three in indoor track and three in outdoor track. Individually, Lawless has two SAC individual shot put championships in her career. She has five SAC podium finishes with three in the shot put and two in the discus throw.
 
Lawless is also a high achiever in the classroom with her 4.00 GPA and her educational studies major. She was an Academic All-America® third team selection last year as named by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). Lawless won the SAC Elite 23 Award for women's indoor track and field in 2025. This award honors the student-athlete with the top cumulative GPA in each of the league's 23 team championship sports.
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate assistant coach for throws Danielle Crawford
 
"Amber Lawless is one of the most hardworking and dedicated athletes with whom I have ever had the pleasure of working. She shows up to practice every day with the mindset of becoming the best she can be. Amber is also a wealth of knowledge about throwing and loves to help her teammates out as well. She has big goals and I have no doubt they will become a reality for her."
 
Wingate University
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 30 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 17 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.
 
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