Career-best effort good enough for 5th best in the land
University of Louisiana All-American triple jumper in rare air

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns All-American triple jump specialist Lawrence Willis saved his best for last here at the 2004 U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials at Sacramento State's Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex.

The three-time All-American leaped a career-best 55-7 in the final round of the triple jump competition - a mark which is the Olympic "A" Standard.

The jump bested his previous career benchmark of 55-1 accomplished at the 2004 Texas Relays in April.

The jump landed the Iota native in a tie for fifth place with Robert Howard and nearly two feet from the magical third place finish which would have put him on the Olympic roster. Pre-meet favorite and former Northwestern State All-American Kenta Bell came in third with a jump of 57-8 1/4.

Willis fouled three times, but achieved his fifth-place mark on his third attempt.

Though he didn't qualify for the Olympics, Willis made a valiant effort and wound up finishing in the Top 5 among the nation's elite triple jumpers.

Former Butler County Community College and University of Arkansas standout and 2000 Olympian Melvin Lister took the title with a jump of 58-4.

LSU's Walter Davis was a second at 57-10 1/4 while Bell rounded out the Olympic qualifiers.

Willis finished ahead of 2000 Olympian and NSU standout LaMark Carter who finished eighth at 54-9 1/4.

Saturday's events wrapped up an eventful year for Willis. The UL standout claimed two All-American honors earlier this year with a fourth place finish in the NCAA Indoor Championships and a third place outing at the 2004 NCAA Outdoor Championships. He also won the 2004 Sun Belt Conference Indoor and Outdoor triple jump championships.

LOUISIANA SI