Leah Austin was in disbelief when Coach Glenn called with the news: she had been selected for the 2025 Ben Lippen Athletic Hall of Fame.“I was surprised to say the least,” she admits. “It’s such an honor.”

For the 2014 graduate who made a name for herself across four sports, the recognition is more than just personal; it’s a proud moment for the entire Austin family. “I’m the youngest of five,” Leah says. “My three older siblings all excelled in athletics. They are so proud, and they also played a huge role in my competitiveness growing up.” From a young age, Leah was immersed in a world of games, practices, and workouts, not just her own, but those of her siblings.

“I remember doing workouts with my older sister when she was home from college. She played Division I soccer,” she reflects. “Being the youngest, I always wanted to keep up. My siblings were a huge part of my physical development and mental toughness.” That drive helped Leah become one of the most versatile athletes at  Ben Lippen. She lettered in basketball, cross country, track and field, and soccer. At one point, she held school records in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and high jump and still holds the 100m and 200m records today. In her senior year, she earned All-State honors in track and received the prestigious Gail Councell Award, given to a senior athlete for leadership and excellence.

For Leah, juggling academics and athletics wasn’t a burden; it was simply her day-to-day routine. Watching her siblings pursue collegiate sports taught her early on that success meant showing up, working hard, and doing your best with what you’ve been given. Reflecting on that mindset, Leah connects it to a deeper biblical truth. “I learned there will be people given a little more or a little less, whether in athletics or any area of life, and the point is not how much I was given, but what I do with it,” she says, referencing the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.

Leah credits her Ben Lippen coaches with shaping not only her athletic ability but also her character. Basketball coach Cindy Cummings instilled discipline and accountability, running practices with a professional intensity and setting clear expectations: “If a player missed, they didn’t play.” Cross-country and track coach Thomas Fisher left a lasting mark through his steady encouragement, pushing her to chase times just beyond reach and helping her develop confidence to pursue ambitious goals. Sprint coach Cory Patrick kept training fun, often running workouts alongside the team, while ensuring precision in relays. And it was Coach James Reynolds who first sparked Leah’s track career, encouraging her to join after seeing her sister’s speed on the track.

That journey culminated in a defining senior season, highlighted by the 2014 state meet where Leah ran a personal best in the 200 meters and captured multiple first-place finishes. “My whole senior season was so special because I had worked so hard and I was able to see it all come to fruition,” she reflects.

After graduation, Leah continued her academic and athletic journey at North Greenville University, studying Education and Psychology while competing in both indoor and
outdoor collegiate track. “I loved the opportunity to run at the college level! My eyes were opened to recognize all the incredible athletes. We ran at the University of Florida’s Florida Relays, and I was able to watch Olympians compete,” she shares. “Ben Lippen definitely helped me learn how to manage time. High school academics at Ben Lippen were more rigorous than my first year of college. I had no problem balancing my studies and practice schedule.”

She later earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Columbia International University, where she also served as a boarding house assistant and lived with house parents, Dean and Moni Wegren.

Leah’s passion for mentoring young athletes continued after college. She returned to coach at CIU for one year, guiding sprinters and hurdlers, and then coached for three years at Ben Lippen. Her roles included middle school cross-country coach, mid-distance and sprint coach, and general assistant.

“The biggest blessing from coaching was the relationships formed with the student-athletes. I was continually impressed by their discipline and effort. Coaching also gave me a new appreciation for the science behind training,” she says. She credits Coach Eric Hamner with helping her understand how “consistent and thoughtful planning leads to strong performance.”

Outside of athletics, Leah is a true adventurer. She has hiked, backpacked, and camped across the globe, with recent travels taking her to Peru. “Traveling has helped me develop a deep respect for cultures and people who live a very different lifestyle. My most recent travel included backpacking in Peru through the Andes mountain range. We came across families and communities that were days’ walks away from a town. The majority of people in these communities were pleasant and generous. I admire their appreciation for life and ability to make the most of the life they have been given. I am challenged again by their example and the passage in Matthew 25 to do the best with what has been given to me.”

Today, Leah teaches Pre-K Montessori at Logan Elementary in Richland One, where she has been in the classroom for five years and recently received her school’s Teacher of the Year award. She still finds time to lace up her running shoes. “I still run for stress relief and enjoyment. I’ve completed several half marathons, one marathon, a handful of 5Ks and 10Ks, and am planning to keep running as long as I’m physically able.”

Her personal life is blossoming as well. Leah recently purchased a home in Columbia and says the milestone has helped her feel more rooted. “The roots are starting to grow deeper,” she says. As she reflects on her time at Ben Lippen, it’s not just the practices or meets that come to mind, but a turning point in her faith journey.

“When I look back on my time at Ben Lippen, I am always reminded of Mr. Ragoonath’s
6th-grade Bible class. I was at a turning point of life. My family had just moved to SC, and I was realizing the Christian faith I had been raised in was not my own. God used Mr. R’s class to give me space to consider if I should submit my life to Christ. I had many moments going back and forth mentally. In 7th grade, I did choose to follow Christ. The teachers at Ben Lippen have made a huge impact on me as they helped me build a foundation of faith and prepare me for the life ahead.”

Now, Leah prepares to return to Ben Lippen this fall, not as a student, coach, or teacher, but as a Hall of Fame inductee.