University of Mary Athletics

Sarah Leer Cornell
Outstanding Athlete
Women’s Basketball 2000-2004
 
A highly recruited basketball player from Williston High School, Williston, ND, Sarah Leer began what was to be one of the most outstanding careers in U-Mary women’s basketball history her freshman year with the Marauders. During her sophomore season, Sarah helped lead her team into the NAIA National Tournament, where they advanced to the final Elite Eight, losing by one point to Concordia, NE.

Emerging further as a leader, Sarah was instrumental in the Marauders returning to the NAIA tournament her junior year under Coach Roger Haug and her senior year under Coach Fred Fridley. As a senior, Sarah helped take the team to the NAIA Final Four, finishing with a still-unmatched 32 wins and only three losses. Sarah set an NAIA national record at that tournament, scoring seven three-point baskets.

At the time of her induction, Sarah was sixth in all-time scoring at U-Mary, with 1,618 points. She also ranks 22nd all-time in rebounding and 12th all-time in assists. Her other Marauders records include the most points scored in a season (673 senior year) and the most three-point field goals in a season (127 as a senior). Sarah and her 2003-2004 teammates set seven offensive school records and were named NDAPSSA Female Team of the Year. Sarah also was DAC-10 Conference Player of the Week six times, First Team All-Conference twice, and DAC-10 Senior Athlete of the Year. At the NAIA national level, she was honored as a First-Team All-American. Sarah was also on the DAC-10 Academic Scholar Team every semester during her four years at U-Mary and was named First Team NAIA Academic All-American.

The daughter of Wade and Belva Leer of Williston, Sarah has two brothers, Matt and Andy, who currently are Marauders baseball players. A 2004 graduate with a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in radiologic technology, Sarah lives in Bismarck.