Leonni Griffin of Shaker Named to CDSWOY 2024 Class
ALBANY, NY – Leonni Griffin, a senior at Shaker High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2024 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization.
Leonni, who competes in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track & field, will be recognized at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on Monday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets are available online at proctors.org or at the Proctors Box Office.
The Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization (CDSWOY) honors the best and brightest female student athletes from high schools and colleges in the Capital District of New York State. The student-athletes will be recognized for their achievements in academics, athletics, and community service. More information is provided at the website: cdswoy.com.
Academically, Leonni had a 95 GPA while excelling in rigorous coursework that included 14 college credits from the State of New York. She is an active member in the Latin Club and the Business Club. She is expected to receive a New York State Advanced Regents Diploma. Leonni has been on the high honor roll and honor roll during her time at Shaker. She a four-time recipient of the NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Award.
Athletically, Leonni was the cross country team MVP for three years. She has broken several school records on the track, including the 300m, 600m, 800m and 20m hurdles as well as SMR and the 4×800. She has received Indoor Track and Outdoor Track Team MVP honors for five years. Leonni is the state champion for the 600m indoor race and was second in the Federation in 2024. She also was fourth in the state for the outdoor 800m twice in her career. She was invited to the prestigious Millrose Games two straight seasons, in the 4×800 in 2023 and 600m in 2024 (she ranked 10th in the country in the 600m this past season). Her time of 1:33.06 holds the 600m record in Section 2 and she is a three-time Track & Field All-American (Nike, New Balance, AAU and Junior Olympics). Leonni has been a member of the Albany Allycats travel soccer club for eight years and has played semi-professional soccer for the New York Shockers for two years.
Leonni’s community service includes volunteering for the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club, where she helps work the water stop at a marathon each year. She serves as a mentor, role model and source of inspiration for younger runners and volunteers her time supporting the youth cross country and track community programs.
Leonni becomes the first student-athlete from Shaker High School to be selected by CDSWOY.
A total of 10 high school and three college female student-athletes will be honored at the August 12 event. The next recipient will be announced on July 12.
