Lauren Harris will compete in the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later this month. Harris is a Center Moriches High School math teacher and the American record-holder in the 20-kilometer race walk.
She set the American record in June before beating her own time at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in August with a mark of 1:31:23. Her national-championship-winning performance qualified her for the World Athletics Championships, considered the pinnacle of track and field outside of the Olympic Games.
“Qualifying for the World Championships has been my ultimate goal—alongside the Olympics—and now I have the opportunity to line up against the very best in the world,” said Ms. Harris. “It truly takes a village; this would not be possible without the support of the Center Moriches community.”
The former Marist race walker, Harris really began her journey after college as an athlete. She had world-leading times and winning at national caliber meets. She said, “I was never really sure about what was gonna happen in college, because race walking is not an NCAA sport. I was doing well enough to run in college for the NCAA, but I knew I wanted to walk for a school while being close to home.”
“The entire Center Moriches school community is incredibly proud of Ms. Harris and her accomplishments on the track,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ricardo Soto. “We will all be cheering her on from home as we watch her compete in Tokyo.”
Harris’ ultimate goal is to compete in Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics.
The World Athletics Championships run from September 13 to 22, with the 20-kilometer race walk scheduled for September 20.