by Danny Kotula | Sep 6, 2021 | News Slider, Sports, Student Spotlight
After a whirlwind of a summer ended on a Paralympic podium in Japan, freshman distance runner Liza Corso is only now giving herself time to reflect. “When I crossed the finish line and realized I came in second with a time that was 13 seconds better than my personal best, I was in a little bit of disbelief,” Corso said in an email conversation. Corso, diagnosed with albinism that makes her legally blind, finished second in the T13-class women’s 1500-meter final race in Tokyo on Aug. 28 after being ranked eighth in the field. “Once I had time for it to really sink in, I was just filled with joy and gratitude that God gave me the ability to not only run in the final but also get the silver medal,” Corso said. As a freshman in college, Corso was one of the youngest to compete in track and field at this year’s Paralympics in any event. She said her expectations were modest and that the result really did come as a surprise. “I was definitely not expecting to medal at my first Paralympic Games!” said the Newmarket, New Hampshire, native. “I had thoughts about how amazing it would be to medal, but I wasn’t focusing on it because I just wanted to have a good race.” In an email with Lumination before her race, she said her overarching goal was to inspire others rather than to secure a result. After her performance, she feels she’s been able to do both. “This race taught me to never count yourself out and that God has greater things in store for...
by Danny Kotula | Aug 23, 2021 | News Slider, Sports, Student Spotlight
Liza Corso, an incoming freshman this fall, will compete against some of the best runners on the planet in Tokyo, Japan at the Paralympics while her classmates at Lipscomb are starting their school year. Her race will mark the first time a Bison has competed in either an Olympic or Paralympic event. Corso is one of the six fastest 1500-meter runners in her Paralympic class. When Corso finally hits the track in the Paralympic Games on Saturday, she will have every reason to feel proud of herself. Despite all of her achievements and the impressive pinnacle she will reach this weekend, Corso is set on a goal that has nothing to do with success. Corso said she wishes that her struggle with vision impairment will be an encouragement to others. “I hope that I am able to inspire others through my running journey,” Corso said. “I want others to know that even if you are facing an obstacle, with hard work and dedication you can overcome it.” A native of Newmarket, New Hampshire, Corso also has felt immense support from her home base. “I have felt a lot of support from not just my family but also people that I have never met,” Corso said. “Everyone back home has been very supportive and excited. All of the support and energy helps motivate me to put my best self out there on the track, and I couldn’t be where I am without all the people who have helped me along the way.” Corso qualifies for the Paralympics in the T13 classification, the least impaired class of three categories for vision impairments...
by Danny Kotula | Aug 12, 2021 | News Slider, Sports
Liza Corso’s name forever will be etched in Lipscomb athletics history before she even suits up in purple and gold. Before she attends QuestWeek or attends her first class, incoming freshman Corso will represent the United States’ National Paralympics Team at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Corso comes to Lipscomb from Newmarket, N.H., where she established herself as one of the state’s top high school distance runners despite being legally blind. She has qualified for the women’s 1500-meter final at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo after finishing first in the 1600-meter, first in the 800-meter, and third in the 3200-meter at the New Hampshire Division III state meet earlier this year. A 2021 graduate of Portsmouth Christian Academy in Dover, N.H., Corso has a low-vision disorder called albinism, a genetic condition that renders her vision 20/200. Corso, 17, began running when she participated in a 5K at age 5, and she has participated in cross country and track and field competitions since sixth grade. She has also competed in basketball, gymnastics, swimming and competitive jump rope during her athletic career. Her already-illustrious career is only set to grow in stature during her time in Nashville. She will join Lipscomb’s women’s cross country team as one of five incoming freshmen when she returns from Tokyo, and she is also on the women’s track and field roster and will compete alongside 10 other freshmen for the Bisons this spring. To qualify for the Paralympic Games, an athlete must hold an active World Para Athletics License, achieve a Minimum Entry Standard performance, and be internationally classified with a “confirmed” sport class...
by Danny Kotula | Jan 3, 2022 | News Slider, Sports
As the 2022 calendar year kicks off, many of Lipscomb’s athletics teams are preparing for action this winter and spring. In the spirit of the New Year’s holiday, here are resolutions each sport in action this semester might have heading into a new year. Baseball Resolution: remember the bitter taste of last year’s exit. Lipscomb baseball might be the most underrated team on campus, and their difficult first-round loss to Kennesaw State in the ASUN Tournament was not a fitting way for their season to end. They lost 14-1 and 10-2 in a pair of blowouts in north Georgia after splitting the season series 3-3 with the Owls in the regular season. This year, the Bisons should have a chip on their shoulder to avoid a similar exit from the postseason in 2022. The baseball season kicks off February 18-20 at Dugan Field when the Bisons host the Akron Zips on their opening weekend. Lipscomb will look to build on last year’s 18-29 record. Men’s Basketball Resolution: fix the turnover margin. Gift-giving season is over, and the Bisons need to stop giving away possession on cheap passing errors and mental mistakes. The last time Lipscomb held the ball and were effective with their possessions was their last real success, a 19-point win over mid-major giants Dayton in their home arena. With conference play starting and star center Ahsan Asadullah returning from a 9-game absence for injury, now is the perfect time to limit the turnovers and score more effectively. The team enters the new year with a tight win over Alabama A&M to up their overall record to 7-8,...
