Corning-Painted Post is far and away the top track & field program in Section 4, and one of the best in New York. It says a great deal about Cella McLaughlin that her career takes a back seat to nobody in Hawks history.
McLaughlin has been selected Elmira Star-Gazette/Corning Leader Girls Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year for the 2026 season, which saw her capture state championships in two events at Webster Schroeder High School.
She won the Class A 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.09 seconds, then placed second in the Federation race in that event with a time of 13.76 seconds.
McLaughlin secured the Class A title in the girls long jump that weekend with a Section 4-record leap of 19 feet, 11.25 inches.
She won at least one state title in both the indoor and outdoor championship meets her junior and senior seasons.
McLaughlin broke her own Section 4 outdoor record in the long jump at the state meet, she topped her own section standard in the 100 hurdles with a time of 10.48 seconds during the regular season, and she broke the section record in the 100 dash (11.92).
With success has continued humility for McLaughlin, who was a two-time state qualifier in diving at Corning.
“Her attitude is unbelievable,” said Tom Ketchum, one of her coaches with Corning track & field. “She has great sportsmanship, she roots on her teammates, her opponents.”
McLaughlin was also named Star-Gazette/Leader Girls Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year this winter after capturing the 55-meter hurdles Federation and public schools state championships and placing second in the long jump.
As a junior, McLaughlin won the indoor public schools state title in the 55 hurdles, then captured NYSPHSAA and Federation outdoor titles in the 100 hurdles.
She has committed to compete at the University of Pittsburgh.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: McLaughlin named Star-Gazette/Leader Girls Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year
Reporting by Andrew Legare, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
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By Andrew Legare, Elmira Star-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
