Having as much success on the track as he does in the classroom, Cowley College sophomore Dawson Crawley was recently named the school’s October Student of the Month.
Dawson is the son of Dave and Jennifer Crawley. Grandparents are, Robert and Dianne Bradford of Alamogordo, New Mexico, and Pete (deceased) and Glenda Crawley of McAlester, OK. He has a brother, Haden 18, that plays football at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS.
Dawson graduated from Jenks High School in 2019. At Jenks, he was a state placer in the 800-meter run and as a member of the 4×800-meter relay team. He came to Cowley to compete for the Tiger cross country and track and field teams.
“I saw what a beautiful campus Cowley had and realized this is where I belong,” Crawley said. “I also really liked the coaches at Cowley.”
He is currently a member of the top-ranked Cowley College cross country team that placed third at last year’s national championships.
“Every day I show up to practice the first thing I think about is let’s go win a national title,” Crawley said.
At Cowley, he is majoring in STEM pathway (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). After Cowley he plans to major in accounting with the hopes of one day becoming an accountant.
“I took an accounting class in high school and fell in love with it,” Crawley said.
Along with the success of the cross country team, Crawley also ran as part of last season’s 4×800-meter indoor and outdoor relay teams that garnered All-American honors, and was the region champion in the 1,000-meter run.
Crawley has already achieved an associate’s degree from Cowley, but decided to return to the school for an additional year since last season did not count toward his athletic status due to the Covid 19 situation.
“I liked it so much at Cowley that I decided to come back for a third year and see if I could get the school-record in the 1,000-meter run during the indoor season,” Crawley said.
According to Cowley College head cross country and track and field coach Cameron Rieth, Crawley is one of the hardest workers on the team.
“He is a good leader for our team and a great human being,” Rieth said.
Along with competing in track and cross country, Crawley also serves as a Cowley Tutor. He has been named to the President’s Honor Roll four times and has been named a First Team Academic All-American five times. He has a grade point average of 4.0.
Despite all of his accomplishments, the unassuming sophomore was shocked to learn he was selected as the October Student of the Month.
“I am so thankful for this honor, it is beyond what I ever thought would happen,” Crawley said. “I am extremely grateful and humbled by this recognition. My coaches, Cameron Rieth, Mark Phillips, and Glenwood Edwards have been big influences and major guidance’s during my time at Cowley.”
After Cowley he plans to attend a four-year university to continue his education and running career.
“Cowley has helped prepare me for future college classes and also athletic competition as well,” Crawley said. “Before I leave Cowley I hope to win a national title with the cross country team, earn more All-American honors in track, and maintain a 4.0 GPA.”