Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University senior Amber Lawless is the 2026 South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award winner for women's track and field, league officials announce this week. Lawless is honored for the first time in her illustrious career.
 
The SAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented to one student-athlete from each of the conference's championship sports. The SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee votes on this honor. This prestigious award is given to the deserving recipient for their achievements in academics, athletics, service and leadership.
 
The Amber Lawless file
Senior, Perth, Western Australia
 
Academics
 
- Elementary education major with a 4.000 cumulative GPA
- Graduated summa cum laude with University honors in May
- Won SAC Elite 23 Award for women's indoor track and field twice (2025, 2026)
- College Sports Communicators Academic All-America third team in 2025
- Completed a two-year research study in the WU Thayer School of Education
- Her work focused on teaching elementary-level phonics across dialect differences
 
Athletics
 
- In '26 NCAA indoors, she earned second team All-American in shot put
- Lawless won both SAC indoor and outdoor shot put titles her last two seasons
- Qualified for '26 NCAA outdoor national championships as well (shot put)
- All-South Atlantic Conference and All-Southeast Region in shot put
- Also earned All-SAC and All-SER distinction in the outdoor discus throw
- WU won four SAC indoor and four SAC outdoor team titles during her career
- Individually, nine career SAC podium finishes (five outdoors, four indoors)
- Season-best shot put marks: 15.01 meters (SAC indoors); 14.72 meters (Duke Invite)
 
Service
 
- In her home country, Lawless served as a mentor and coach
- She volunteered with youth T&F athletes from ages four to 17
- One Day, One Dog (ODOD) Day of Service in 2024 and 2025
- WUXCTF ran a field day for East Elementary School as part of ODOD
 
What They Are Saying about Wingate University's Amber Lawless …
 
Danielle Crawford, throws coach, Wingate University
 
"Amber Lawless is one of those students you know will achieve great things. She cares greatly about her school work and athletics. With her graduating and entering the work force, I know that she will give her students the same diligent care that she gave to her professors and coaches. I am very grateful to have worked with her. I can't wait to see what she accomplishes in her career." 
 
Dr. Tarra Ellis, education professor and Dean, Wingate University 
 
"Amber Lawless is the student and future teacher that education professors dream of teaching. From the time she arrived at Wingate, she has been a conscientious student with a sincere hunger for knowledge and an authentic desire to be the best for her future students. She approached every assignment with seriousness, careful consideration, and wholehearted effort."
 
"Amber is wise beyond her years and a true scholar. She excelled as an undergraduate educational researcher, adding to the body of literature with her phenomenal work on dialect and phonics instruction. We selfishly wish we could keep her here in the N.C. public schools, but we know that her future students in Perth will be extremely blessed to have her as their teacher." 
 
Dr. Brie Leggat Johnson, education professor, Wingate University 
 
"Amber Lawless committed to Wingate University during the height of the pandemic without ever visiting campus or setting foot in the United States, demonstrating remarkable dedication from the outset. She has since distinguished herself as an exceptional student-athlete, graduating with a perfect 4.00 GPA, earning Academic All-America third team honors and receiving the SAC Elite 23 Award twice. She has nine SAC podium finishes and provisional 25-26 national qualifying marks for shot put and discus for women's track and field." 
 
"During her junior and senior years, Amber undertook an ambitious research study focused on teaching elementary-level phonics across dialect differences—a complex and meaningful area of inquiry. Balancing the demands of student teaching is challenging in itself; simultaneously conducting research, producing a scholarly paper, and maintaining the rigorous schedule of collegiate athletics demonstrates an extraordinary level of dedication. Beyond her accomplishments, Amber is a committed scholar, supportive mentor and respected teammate whose discipline, resilience, and impact have left a lasting mark on the University community."  
 
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 18 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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