Area lawmakers sponsor resolution paying tribute to Corning track and field champion Lindsey Butler: Corning-Painted Post senior runner captured state championship earlier this year

Corning, N.Y., May 30—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) visited Corning-Painted Post High School on Tuesday to pay tribute to senior Lindsey Butler, who earlier this year captured the state championship in the 600-meter run.

Butler’s time of 1:30.00 set a school record, section record, and state meet record at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Indoor Track and Field Championships on Staten Island on March 2.

The standout Corning Hawks runner was also part of the 4x800-relay team that captured a 3rd-place finish at the meet with a time of 9:18.85.  

The O’Mara-Palmesano proclamation (J817/K205), unanimously approved by the Senate and Assembly, reads, in part, “Athletically and academically, Lindsey Butler has proven herself to be an unbeatable combination of talents…Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and accomplishment, and Coach Andrew Cartwright, Coach Ray Lawson, Coach Joe Melanson and Lindsey Butler have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school.”

Corning-Painted Post District Superintendent Michael Ginalski said, “The Corning- Painted Post School District is a better place because of great kids like Lindsey Butler.  Lindsey has awed everyone in the school community with her athletic accomplishments.  But, greater than that if you asked any teacher, coach or administrator about Lindsey, they would talk first about the quality individual that she is.  Virginia Tech is not only getting a great athlete, they are getting a fantastic kid.”

Head Track Coach Joe Melanson said, "Lindsey Butler is one of those athletes who doesn't come along very often.  I recently had a conversation with an opposing coach about how he was amazed that Lindsey was on our Section 4 leaderboard as the leader in almost every event category.  In our sport, you don't get many athletes who can run, jump, throw, hurdle, and all the rest at a high level like Lindsey can.  She doesn't settle and that’s what makes her as good as she is.  I'm just very fortunate that she's allowed me to come along for the ride."

The daughter of William and Patricia Butler of Corning, Lindsey signed her National Letter of Intent in February to attend and run at Division-I Virginia Tech University.