Mason Lawyer was having an “off” meet. 

The sophomore sprint runner had already run three events at the Arkansas Qualifier Feb. 16, taking 6th in the 60-meter prelims, 4th in the 60-meter finals and 7th in the 200-meter. Having PRed several times throughout the season prior to Arkansas, something wasn’t quite there.

The final event of the night was the men’s 4×400 relay. Lawyer, joined by his teammates Ethan Willems, Jared McAlvey and Grant Buckmiller, set out on track and broke a WSU school record. Running 3:06.40, the four men set the 13th fastest time in the nation. 

“Even after running three times, he still came back on the four-by-four, and split a really, really fast time… that [moment] will always stay with me, because it shows the true perseverance and character of a student-athlete,” Gabriel Mvumvure, WSU sprint and hurdles coach, said. 

Lawyer kept pushing — not just for himself, but for his teammates.

“It’s not one person doing the work, it’s all four of us,” Lawyer said. “We have to just trust each other, trust our mark and when to leave on time.”

It isn’t only trust that defines Lawyer as a teammate. His personality and character shine through in all he does and is what makes him — despite only being a sophomore — a great team captain for WSU track and field.

“He is a model student-athlete that everyone would want on their team. That speaks volume in terms of just how dedicated he is to the program,” Mvumvure said.

Mvumvure said that Lawyer inspires the other athletes on the team to push themselves.

“You want someone who is willing to go into the trenches with the other athletes. He’s one of those guys that, if he comes in to work out, he’s gonna do his very best… you’re always going to hear him demand more from his peers,” Mvumvure said.

In addition to the 4×400 relay team record, Lawyer had an incredibly strong indoor season in 2024, accounting for several PRs and podium finishes. On Feb. 3, his PR and second-place finish of 6.59 in the 60m placed him at No. 9 in the nation.

Hailing from Boise, Lawyer attributes inspiration to his high school coaches and his family, who he said have been incredibly supportive of his journey.

“My dad ran track and played football at Boise State. It’s fun to follow his footsteps and try to beat his marks in his races. I already had a couple of them,” Lawyer said.

In addition to running track, Lawyer also played football and basketball and swam in high school.

“They all have their different components, it’s just different endurance. It was nice to do more than one sport to prevent burnout,” Lawyer said.

Finding his footing with the Cougs with the benefit of remaining closer to home, Lawyer said he loves the WSU community.

“Being a Coug is just awesome. You always get a ‘go Cougs!’ in the airport, wherever you’re at,” Lawyer said. 

With more time to shine in his collegiate career, Lawyer is an athlete to watch as he continues to improve upon his already impressive performances.

“He’s almost two-tenths of a second faster in the 60 than he was last year,” Mvumvure said.

“My goal is to just drop my time as much as possible and be one of the guys to help get other people to nationals and regionals,” Lawyer said.

A leader on the team, a model student-athete and true Coug, Lawyer does it all.

“He’s faster and stronger… He’s been very focused. He’s been dreaming,” Mvumvure said.