Columbia High School graduate Sarah Rainville ’26 has been named a finalist for the 2026 Capital District Sports Woman of the Year. Rainville was a standout athlete for the Blue Devils, competing in basketball and lacrosse.
Rainville is one of 10 high school students, along with three collegiate athletes, to be nominated by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year. The organization, which honors female student athletes in the Capital Region for their academic, athletic and community achievements, will crown its Grand Scholastic and Grand Collegiate Sports Women of the Year winners during its annual awards gala on Monday, August 3 at 7:00 p.m. at Proctors in Schenectady. Tickets will be available for purchase soon.
Academics
Rainville graduated from Columbia in June as a high honor roll student with a 97.16 GPA. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Rho Kappa Social Studies National Honor Society, Math League and the Science Research program. She was named a U.S. Academic All-American in lacrosse.
Athletics
Athletically, Rainville was selected as the 2025-26 Suburban Council Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She was named to the All State First Team and the Albany Times Union First Team. She was a two-time News Channel 13 All Star. Rainville finished her four-year career with 1,311 points, ranking third all-time in scoring for Columbia. She also served as team captain for two seasons.
In lacrosse, Rainville recorded 107 career points in her four years, with 65 goals and 42 assists. The senior midfielder and captain had 58 points in 2026 (32 goals and 26 assists) with 75 ground balls, 17 caused turnovers and 16 draw controls. As a junior, she helped her team win a Section 2 Championship and a Regional Championship in the New York State Tournament.
Rainville is committed to playing basketball at the University of Rochester.
Community Service
Rainville’s community service included volunteering at the annual Winterfest and the Columbia Multicultural Fair. She volunteered for her school as a tutor and as an Incoming Student Volunteer. Rainville also assisted the Athletic Trainer Support Staff, East Greenbush Girls Basketball Association and at elementary school field days, as well as with various youth sports camps in the community.
Rainville becomes the second Columbia High School student athlete selected by CDSWOY, joining Alivia Landy (2025).
Congratulations!