PCA Senior Liza Corso Signs Letter of Intent With Lipscomb University

…award-winning local teen athlete hailed as “dedicated to excellence”… 

DOVER, NH (November 19, 2020)–Portsmouth Christian Academy (PCA) is pleased to announce that Upper School Senior Liza Corso signed a Letter of Intent to run NCAA Division I Cross Country at Lipscomb University.  

At just 17 years old, Corso has been an award-winning, All-State runner for the school’s cross country, winter track, and spring track teams.  According to PCA Coach Mike Shevenell, Corso is the most-decorated runner of all time in the school’s athletic history. During this week’s signing ceremony, Shevenell highlighted Corso’s accomplishments as an All-State and All-Conference runner, Granite State Runner of the Year for all four of her years in cross country, as well as Team MVP for almost every season. Corso is recognized not only on the local level, but on the division, state, and regional levels as well.  

Coach Shevenell was quick to point out that there’s more to Corso than being a fast runner. “Liza’s leadership as a team captain during many of her seasons earned her coaches’ trust to lead well, set an example, and work well with those on the team who were just beginning. She’s taught me a lot of things by her persistence and dedication to excellence. Because she models that in her work and in her running every day, she teaches us all that.”   

Corso continues her career at the college level upon joining Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN in the fall of 2021. Corso shared what influenced her decision to choose Lipscomb: “When I was looking at different colleges, there definitely could have been some other big-name schools or big state schools. But I really felt that Lipscomb was a place that I could grow academically, athletically, and in my faith. I really just felt a good fit with their coaches…that they were invested in me as a runner and not just a name on a roster.” 

Corso credits God for her gifts and abilities as a runner, her family for their support of her athletic career, as well as her coaches, teammates and teachers for their support.  

Looking on during the signing ceremony were Corso’s family, coaches and teammates to celebrate the occasion. PCA Athletic Director Derek Summers thanked Corso for her contributions to the school’s athletic program. And Coach Shevenell offered some final words of advice to Corso: “I’m going to encourage you to find ways to make running fun…because that’s why you started doing it in the first place.” 


Portsmouth Christian Academy has been inspiring students on the Seacoast to maximize their potential for more than 40 years. PCA provides a nurturing educational environment that emphasizes Christ-centered community, outstanding academics, differentiated learning, and exceptional character. Located just minutes northwest of Portsmouth, NH on a beautiful 50-acre riverfront campus, PCA is a dually accredited, independent, college-preparatory, day school where young people from Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire in Preschool through Grade 12 are challenged to thrive academically and grow as servant-leaders prepared to impact the world for good.