Scholarships

About the Scholarship

Coach Joe was a strong advocate of all types of running for all types of people. He believed in equality, diversity, and the benefits of a good run.

High School seniors who have plans for continuing their education and have participated in their running community during their high school experience are encouraged to apply for a $1000 scholarship.

Donations

You can donate to the Joseph P. Reynolds Scholarship Fund online.

Donate

Or, send a check made out to FLRC, with “Scholarship Fund” in the memo line, to:

FLRC
P.O. Box 4984
Ithaca, NY 14852

FLRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so all donations are tax-deductible. Consult your tax professional for details.

Program/Eligibility

  • A minimum of two unrestricted $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to deserving applicants who are at the completion of their high school education, will be continuing their education after high school, and have participated in their local running community during their high school experience. Qualifying activities may include but are not limited to interscholastic cross country and track and field, FLRC events, other running events, and volunteerism in running-related activities.
  • Eligible students must reside in Tompkins County or a surrounding county.
  • FLRC membership is not required.

Process

  • To apply, submit a letter describing your academic, extracurricular, and running achievements. Include any plans you may have for a running career beyond high school and the personal benefits you have gained by participating in the sport. Please describe any relationship you have with the Finger Lakes Runners Club or affiliations with any other running organizations. For example, have you run or volunteered at an FLRC race? Please also describe how this scholarship will assist in furthering your education.
  • Include two letters of recommendation, one from your educational experience and one from your running experience. Please do not send complete transcripts or additional material for consideration, as these will not be reviewed.
  • Applications may be submitted electronically or mailed to:

FLRC Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 4984
Ithaca, NY 14852

Identification of Recipient

  • Scholarship applications must be received by April 15, 2026.
  • FLRC will review submissions and identify recipients by May 13, 2026.

Past Winners

2025

  • Kathleen Sullivan – Lansing, $1000
  • Neko Garno – Mynderse Academy, $1000

2024

  • Banyan Love – Homeschooled $1000
  • Crosby Woods – Ithaca High School $1000

2023

  • Charles McCurdy – Charles O. Dickerson High School in Trumansburg $1000
  • Piper Young – Notre Dame High School $1000

2022

  • Marissa Wiemann – Southern Cayuga Central School District $1000
  • Matthew Gensel – Corning-Painted Post High School $1000

2021

  • Elinor Kops – Ithaca High School $1000
  • Nickolas Talijan – South Seneca High School $1000

2020

  • Steven Segal – Corning-Painted Post High School $1000
  • Kai Moore – Charles O. Dickerson High School in Trumansburg $1000

2019

  • Miranda Wolf – Cincinnatus High School $1000
  • Elena Chung – Ithaca High School  $1000

2018

  • Elizabeth Rayle – Ithaca High School $1000
  • Natalie Thomas – Marathon Central School $1000

2017

  • Carmen Bezner Kerr – Ithaca High School $1000
  • Jake Avery – Ithaca High School $1000
  • Tatianna Trojnor-Hill – Moravia Central School District $1000

2016

  • Colin Pritchard – Owego Free Academy $1000
  • Ashleigh Crawford –Tully Junior-Senior High School $1000
  • Abby Yatsko – Dryden High School $500
  • Abigail Everett – Horseheads High School $500

2015

  • Matthew Lin – Ithaca $1000
  • Julia Tantillo – Trumansburg $1000
  • Eric Sinton – Ithaca $500
  • Jacklyn Hoch – Cortland  $500

2014

  • Jade Auchmoody – Homer $1000
  • Freideric Handelmann – Homer $1000
  • Bradley Dewitt – Moravia  $500
  • Matt Gill – Watkins Glen  $500
  • Samantha Gill – Watkins Glen $500

2013

  • Elizabeth Jewiss – Marathon  $1000
  • Derek Johnson – Horseheads $1000
  • Emily Stansfield – Tioga $500
  • Joshua Langley – Watkins Glen $500
  • Allison Cronk – Groton $500

2012

  • Shauna Murray – Charles O. Dickerson High School in Trumansburg $1000
  • Josh Greenberg – Ithaca  $1000
  • Zoe McAlear – Ithaca $500
  • Christopher Gill – Watkins Glen $500

2011

  • Kayla Prochnow – Charles O. Dickerson High School in Trumansburg $500
  • Sarah Danner – Charles O. Dickerson High School in Trumansburg $1000
  • Shannon Hazlitt – Watkins Glen $500
  • Chris Handelmann – Homer $1000