Sarah Lacina

Last time I played like a cop, look where it got me. Survivor 34, E1

Winner

Played on

96 days played

Game record

Vote alignment68%of 28 ballots

46th percentile of 423 castaways

Idol impact1of 2 idol plays canceled a vote

57th percentile of 45 idol players

Jury vote share70%of 10 jury votes

80th percentile of 125 finalists

Occupation at casting Police Officer Hometown Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Beyond Survivor

The Challenge

Played with 52 castaways across 3 seasons See every connection ↓

Lacina has shared a beach with fifty-two castaways, more than all but nineteen players in the show's history.

Biography

Sarah Lacina won Survivor: Game Changers (Season 34) with a bold, unapologetic gameplay philosophy: play like a criminal, not a cop. The Iowa police officer flipped alliances, weaponized advantages, and executed one of the era's most cutthroat games, most memorably an emotional blindside that left the jury reeling but respectful.

After a strong debut on Survivor: Cagayan (Season 28), Sarah's Game Changers title established her as one of the modern game's premier strategists. She returned for the all-winners Survivor: Winners at War (Season 40).

Ruthless, adaptable and clear-eyed about what winning requires, Sarah Lacina is regarded as one of the sharpest champions of the new era, the cop who won by thinking like a robber.

Get to know Sarah Lacina

Born in Muscatine, Iowa The hometown on their cast bio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is where they were living when they were picked for the show.

Sarah Lacina's own answers from the pre-game cast profile CBS published before the season aired.

Claim to fame: I'm most proud of graduating college in four years.
Hobbies: Boating, working out, golfing and mixed martial arts.
Pet peeves: I hate when I can hear people chew their food, when people leave me voicemails (I'll call you back if I don't answer) and stupid people.
Inspiration: My mother is amazing. She is the most unselfish person I know. Such a hard worker, and so supportive. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here.
Castaway they say they are most like: I'm one of a kind. If I had to pick I'd say Malcolm. He's nice, but very strategic and tasteful about it.
Why they wanted to play: I am never satisfied with what I've done. I always add things to my plate. The challenge, experience and opportunity would be gratifying. Second reason: Duh, the money.

Alliances fans have named

Survivor never names an alliance on screen. These names, and who counts as a member, are how the fan community records the game rather than an official record of it.

Birthplace, pre-game profile and alliance facts adapted from Survivor Fandom and Wikipedia, retrieved 2026-07-21. Licensed CC BY-SA.

Fan poll Players

Survivor Hall of Fame: is Sarah Lacina in or out?

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Seasons

Sarah Lacina's Survivor seasons and results
Season	Result	Days	Tribes	Votes against	Confessionals
Cagayan Season 28, 2014	7th voted out	19 of 39 days	Aparri Solarrion	6	26
Game Changers Season 34, 2017		39 of 39 days	Nuku Tavua Maku Maku	0	45
Winners at War Season 40, 2020	Lost final 4 fire challenge	38 of 39 days	Dakal Yara Koru	2	40