Sarah Rainville

When Sarah Rainville committed to the University of Rochester, it solidified the Rainville family as a truly elite athletic family. Her older sister was a collegiate volleyball player, while her two older brothers played collegiate basketball. With all this talent in one house, you can probably guess how Sarah got interested in sports.

“My family is a really big basketball family. I was kind of just born into it,” she said. “I grew up watching my older siblings play, and that made me want to play too.”

Rainville eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in her senior year on her way to several honors. She was named 1st Team All-State, Times Union 1st Team All-Star, and Suburban Council Player of the Year. From her early days playing in East Greenbush to becoming the captain of the Columbia High School varsity team, it’s always been hard work that has set Rainville apart.

“Sarah stepped up in a major way her senior year, making everyone feel part of our team and by being the hardest worker at practice,” said Shawn Wyman, Columbia’s Varsity Basketball coach. “Her hard work over the past several years has paid off in so many ways, but this year she really broke out and showed everyone how good she has become.”

That hard work extended outside of the gym for Rainville as well. She excels on the lacrosse field too, with 103 career points, including 63 goals and 40 assists. Rainville put together a spectacular senior season with 54 points, 30 goals, and 24 assists, along with 74 ground balls, 14 caused turnovers, and 12 draw controls.

“Her ability to impact every aspect of the game demonstrates her versatility and complete understanding of the sport,” said Columbia Varsity Lacrosse Coach Kurt Randall. “Her offensive production, combined with her defensive effort and leadership, has made her one of the most respected and dependable players in our program.”

In addition to her individual play, Rainville helped her team put together a special season in her junior year. Alongside many of the same girls she had played with since she started lacrosse, the Blue Devils captured the Section 2 and Regional Championships and reached the state semifinals.

“I’ve played with a lot of the same girls since second grade, when I started,” said Rainville. “It was great to see our growth as a program and as players as we kept moving to the next level.”

“Sarah represents everything positive about high school athletics — leadership, humility, resilience, sportsmanship, and commitment to excellence,” said Randall. “Whether competing in lacrosse or representing our school in her other sports, Sarah consistently elevates those around her.”

Rainville certainly elevated her teammates at Columbia, but outside of school, she works to elevate players who are a little younger than she is. As a product of the East Greenbush Girls Basketball Association, Rainville gives back to the program as a volunteer.

“I really love working with little kids,” she said. “It’s great to be able to teach them what you know and see the smile on their faces. That was probably one of my favorite things I’ve done. I grew up playing in that program, so it’s definitely a full-circle moment because I know I was one of those girls too. I want to be the mentor to them that I always wanted when I was younger.”

As Rainville continues her athletic career at Rochester, she’ll also begin working toward accomplishing her next goal of becoming a physical therapist. The daughter of an athletic trainer, Rainville credits her mom with getting her interested in this career path.

“She would always talk to me about maybe becoming a PT and about that whole field,” she said. “I also started working at a physical therapy office, and just being in that environment made me want to pursue it more.”

Inspired by her former teammate, Rainville says she appreciates being part of the CDSWOY Class of 2026 because it means her hard work did not go unnoticed.

“It’s such a great honor,” she said. “One of my teammates, Olivia Landy, won it last year, so just knowing that I can be someone like her is really honorable to me. I think it also shows that the work I’ve put in is being recognized, and I’m really grateful for tha