With one more collegiate outdoor track and field season of eligibility left at Slippery Rock, Sarah Corrie weighed her options about whether to hang it up after a plethora of standout performances at all levels the previous four years or continue on for one more shot at reaching lofty goals she has set for herself.
Ever the competitor, the Gateway graduate chose the latter and is again making her mark with sights set on personal-best throws and the ultimate expectation of a return trip to the NCAA championships later this month in Pueblo, Colo.
“I came back for a reason, and I hope all the hard work pays off,” said Corrie, who is set for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship meet Thursday through Saturday at Slippery Rock.
Corrie said she is not trying to think about the end of her collegiate career in a little more than month. Instead, she is living in the moment with championship opportunities in front of her.
“I’ve been an athlete my whole life, starting in soccer and then moving to track,” said Corrie, whose original spring freshman season at Slippery Rock was taken away because of the covid pandemic.
“The best decision I ever made was to do track. The atmosphere around track and the people, it has been so welcoming and supportive. I have grown so much, especially the past couple of years with new experiences each year. Now, I am just trying to live in the moment and savor these last number of meets. There are things I want to accomplish before I hang it up. I am so thankful I have this last chance to go out there and hopefully do what I want to do. I am cherishing the moments I have with my teammates.”
Corrie is the two-time defending PSAC outdoor champion in the shot put, having recorded a winning distance last year of 14.73 meters. She also placed 11th last year in the discus (36.41).
She competed in nine events in the 2024 outdoor season culminating at NCAA Division II nationals where she claimed 17th at 14.27.
“Twice I had missed nationals by one spot,” Corrie said.
“Just being able to be there last year meant a lot. I am hoping to get my spot secured this year because missing by one spot those times didn’t feel good. It was so close, a couple of inches, and it stuck with me and motivated me.”
Corrie said she is looking forward to the opportunity to surpass her collegiate career best in the shot of 14.76 recorded at last year’s Ashland Alumni Open.
She said 15 meters is a real possibility.
“I have hit it multiple times in workouts, and last year at a home meet, I fouled a throw that would’ve broken the school record (14.92 in 1985), so I know it’s there,” Corrie said.
“Like I said, it’s all about putting it together. I am confident.”
Corrie unleashed a season-best throw of 14.50 at the John Papa Invitational on April 17 at Slippery Rock. The distance is an NCAA provisional mark.
“On my last throw I was able to put it together and do what I needed to do,” she said.
Corrie said the meet always has been particularly special.
“We, as a team, always have crazy energy there, and we all support each other. We were all loud and cheering for each other. That is a big help when you are going for top results. And I know a lot of teams don’t have the support from the community that we do.”
Corrie and a number of her SRU teammates made a return trip to the Penn Relays in Philadelphia on April 25. Competing against some of the top Division I athletes in the shot, Corrie placed 18th with a throw of 13.73.
“I love those experiences, and I was happy that the coaches were able to get us in there again,” Corrie said.
In the twilight of her Slippery Rock throwing career, Corrie said she has had the chance to look back and see all that she has accomplished and the help and advice she has been able to give her teammates as a team leader.
She said that was easier for her in past years as she was on campus daily. Now, as a graduate student working toward a master’s in public health/environmental and occupational health and back living and training in Monroeville, she tries to remain connected to the team as much as possible.
“I am happy to still have the coaches on campus, and also at home, I work with my old Gateway coach, Mo Washington,” Corrie said.
“Going back to school for meets or traveling to meets, my teammates are very supportive. I love to help as much as I can. It’s a little more challenging this year without having the team around me, and that was always big in past seasons with the support in practices or workouts. Being on my own now was a big change, but I have adjusted well. I train every day whether it be throwing, drilling, workouts, lifting, agility training, all of that. I have found that I am a little more focused being on my own where I am really locked in.”
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Slippery Rock throwing coach Judy Geist said she loves watching Corrie’s work pay off in success.
“Some people might say that since she is training at home she is not doing anything,” Geist said.
“But I know better, and she knows better. She is proving people wrong. With her size, she always has proven people wrong. Her strength and technique have carried her far. When people watch her throw, their reaction is priceless. Getting to nationals is what she is going for, and the school record would be icing on the cake. She really deserves to get both.”
Corrie said it’s been a fun ride in the throwing circle for most of the past decade.
“I walked into my freshman year at Gateway with a broken right wrist wanting to be a thrower,” Corrie said.
“Having that start, and then having the chance to continue in college, I am so grateful. Some people might have doubted me because of my size. I don’t look like the typical shot-put thrower, but I worked hard and trained and got stronger. I have proven myself to be capable and competitive. It’s been awesome to see myself grow and do things I didn’t think I could do.”