Corning, N.Y., June 17--State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) on Tuesday visited the Corning-Painted Post High School to pay tribute to senior Cella McLaughlin for her 2026 victory in the 55-meter Hurdles at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Indoor Track & Field Championships.

 

McLaughlin captured her second consecutive state championship in the 55-meter Hurdles at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on Staten Island, New York in early March. In addition to her 55-meter Hurdles titles, McLaughlin has won three other state championships: the 2025 Girls Outdoor Track & Field 100-meter Hurdles and, most recently, the 2026 Girls Outdoor Track & Field 100-meter Hurdles and Long Jump. She currently holds eight CPP High School records and six Section Four records in indoor and outdoor track and field events.

 

O’Mara and Palmesano were at the CPP High School on Tuesday to join athletes and coaches, and school administrators and staff for a ceremony in the school cafeteria to present an official Legislative Resolution (J02275/K01493) honoring McLaughlin’s 2026 state title.

 

 

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said, “The Corning-Painted Post school district has a long and proud history of athletic excellence, competition, and achievement. We appreciate this opportunity to congratulate and pay tribute to Cella McLaughlin as one of the school’s most accomplished and highly decorated champions. It’s an opportunity to recognize and honor her dedication, excellence, hard work, perseverance, and success. She is among the very best of our region’s remarkable student athletes who help our school communities stand out. They represent inspiring stories and are a source of enormous pride to the entire Corning-Painted Post school district, as well as to their families and friends, the community at large, and our entire region.”

 

The O’Mara-Palmesano resolution reads, in part, “Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride, and accomplishment, and Cella McLaughlin has clearly contributed to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of her school.”

 

CPP Superintendent of Schools Michelle Caulfield said, “Cella embodies the very best of what we strive for in Hawk Nation – true sportsmanship. She consistently demonstrates support for her fellow athletes and her attitude and character make her an outstanding representative of our high school and athletic program. We are incredibly proud of all that she has accomplished and look forward to watching all that she will achieve in the future.”

 

CPP Director of Athletics Rebecca Gentile said, “We are incredibly proud to recognize and celebrate Cella McLaughlin and her remarkable achievement as a state champion. Her success, along with the dedication of our coaching staff, is a testament to the hard work, grit, and commitment to excellence that define our athletics program. Cella has made a lasting impact on Hawks Nation, and while she will be greatly missed, we are excited to cheer her on as she continues her academic and athletic career at the University of Pittsburgh. We are also sincerely thankful to Philip Palmesano and Thomas O’Mara for their continued support of our student-athletes and for taking the time to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our Corning Hawks.”

 

CPP Boys and Girls Indoor Track and Field, and Cross-Country Head Coach Ray Lawson said, “Cella is a fierce competitor, goal oriented, and willing to do the training to achieve her goals. She is always quick to congratulate her competitors and to compete in any events needed to best help her team.”

 

CPP Boys and Girls Indoor Track and Field, and Cross-Country Assistant Coach Tom Ketchum said, “Cella is the top sprint/hurdles/jumps athlete in track and field we have seen in this area. In addition to her tremendous talent, she is a great teammate, demonstrates excellent sportsmanship, and is a good role model for younger athletes.”