The state's returning Gatorade Runner of the Year, the 5-foot-8 junior won the state meet for the second straight season this past fall with a time of 18:00.67, breaking the tape 11.34 seconds ahead of her next-closest competitor and leading the Rebels to a third-place finish as a team. A two-time First Team All-State selection, Lawler finished 12th at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional championships and placed fourth at the New England High School Cross Country Championships.
Lawler has maintained a weighted 4.71 GPA in the classroom. She will begin her senior year of high school this fall.
A class officer at South Kingstown High, Lawler has volunteered locally as a lifeguard and as part of multiple community-service initiatives through her church. "Ellie has dominated girls cross country not only on the state level but also New England and national levels the past three season," said Kelly Martin, head coach of La Salle Academy.