MONROE LAW IS A STANDOUT FOR FRANKLIN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL. SHE WILL BE A SOPHOMORE IN 2023-24.
I should point out to you that in the sports writing world, or in “the business” as they say, there are terms that can describe this story… “a lay up,” “easy call,” “a given”… some would even say “a gift.”
Given that the subject of this story is so matter of fact that the writer has it “handed to him”…see there’s another one.
That was in fact the case when I had the opportunity to interview Monroe Law of Franklin Regional High School and is setting the WPIAL track world ablaze!
Well, hold on, wait a minute. I’ve decided not to take the “soft pitch”… yep, did it again. No, I am going to reverse the assumed thought process and try to make you think this was hard work.
We’ll get back on the track momentarily. But how ‘bout this? Monroe has a grade point average on a PA statewide 3A level of 4.46! Seriously, she has never received a grade lower than an “A” in her educational efforts thus far. And she is sixth in the state for Future Business Leaders of America’s Business Law and third for Jack & Jill’s Freshman Academic Award.
Now I know what you’re thinking. The academics had to come from mom! Wrong, my friend, you don’t own one of the state’s top businesses by accident…that being House of Law Funeral Home and, for that matter, follow in the footsteps of his brilliant father Percy “Buddy” Law and the Law Multiple Funeral Homes Dynasty by accident.
And to add icing on that cake, she has her academic sights set on the likes of Stanford or Duke and has the necessary keys to unlock the doors of any of the Ivy League schools…for those of you just coming out of hibernation, that includes Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Penn, and Cornell. Heck, when I was a freshman, I only had my sights set on Jackie Wallace and an original hot dog! (Full disclaimer to protect the innocent, Jackie Wallace didn’t even know I existed…but I digress.)
While I continue to try to make this look hard, the other “hand off”…last one I promise…I was made aware of, that many of you probably didn’t know is the DNA linkage. Her father, Dwight Law, was an accomplished athlete in both football, baseball and track at Donora High School before a severe injury altered his athletic plan, back in the day when men were men and you had to pay serious dues. Her mother, Chandra, who admits she was not an athlete, but you can’t tell by looking at her, and you immediately see where Monroe gets her long legs. But hold on, here’s “the toss up”… OK, that one I couldn’t help – my bad…the lineage doesn’t stop there. Her uncle is Chuck Sanders, Penn Hills H.S. football standout, Slippery Rock University legend, Heisman Trophy candidate and NFL Pittsburgh Steeler. Along with that, her cousins are Hall of Fame baseball superstars Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. “Junior”!
I think it’s safe to say something’s in that Donora Dragon water!
Now to the matter at hand, because none of what has been offered takes away from the hard work, non-stop effort, and self-awareness of what it takes to be great that Monroe Law has and clearly demonstrates.
Neither time nor space allows for the continued growing list of accomplishments she has achieved on the track. But here are the big ones. Franklin Regional school record in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash, and, of course, in so doing broke WPIAL and stadium records. Then on to PIAA for statewide competition where she finished fifth in the 100 yard dash and remember, SHE WAS ONLY A FRESHMAN!
Most impressively, I spoke with Monroe immediately after track practice at the Penn Hills H.S. track where she gets her next level training as a member of the Penn Hills Eagles Track Club under the superior tutelage and guidance of track coach Chuck Carter!
With a chill in the air, aching legs, and clearly tired from a tough workout, she never wavered or complained, or for that matter, even paused. She met the moment, handled it like the mature student-athlete beyond her years that she is, and crossed the finish line in grand fashion…
AS A MATTER OF FACT, SHE MADE IT LOOK EASY. IT’S THE “LAW!”