UL's Willis wins triple jump indoor title

[NewsCopy]

Lawrence Willis credit for one thing. The .. UL All-American sure knows how to crash a party.

Completing what was certainly the most interesting story at the U.S. Indoor Track & Field Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., Willis upset the nation's triple jump ladder by winning the title with a leap of 55 feet, 3 inches on the last of his six attempts Saturday.

The rest of the story

[Cajunrunner]

Congrats to Lawrence. He's worked hard, as well as having been an upstanding guy. In a world where it seems too many of our star athletes end up in the arrest records, Lawrence is someone our local young aspiring track & field athletes can look up to.

[cajun4life]

_ Congrats to Lawrence. He's worked hard, as well as having been an upstanding guy. In a world where it seems too many of our star athletes end up in the arrest records, Lawrence is someone our local young aspiring track & field athletes can look up to. _

It is a shame that he can not focus only on track, if he continues to jump as well as he has been he will be an Olympian. I am almost 100% positove that the Lafayette Sherrifs Department has never had an Olympian working for them before, but they have a US Champion working for them now. lol

[billdog74]

Lawrence does all of this with--no sponsorship, no coaching, and usually no recognition for the hard work he has put in. Jumping against athletes that train for a living, have coaches that work with them constantly, receive money and sponsorships from US track and field and other sources, Lawrence finds a way to hold down a full time job and goes to competitions and competes admirably against the "pros". Lawrence is a great representative of UL as a former ALL American track particpant and a credit to our university and our region.

[LFTCajun]

I love to hear stories like his. Maybe a sponsor will take notice.

[Turbine]

I wonder if this still applies?

 . . . Willis needs financial help to complete his dream.

Willis is seeking funds to enable him to compete. . .

"I am asking for any donation amount . . ." Willis said. "No donation is too small."

Checks to Lawrence Willis should be sent to Chief Albert Glaude of the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Department, 316 W. Main St., Lafayette, 70501. Or call Chief Glaude at 236-5613.

[VObserver]

_ I love to hear stories like his. Maybe a sponsor will take notice. _

Lawrence has had some sponsorship offers, but not in sufficient amounts to allow him to train year round and concentrate on his craft. He needs to have enough in sponsorships to pay for coaching, living expenses, travel, entry fees, etc. . It comes to a substantial sum. Both Kenta Bell and Walter Davis are training with coaches year round. Until Lawrence can do likewise, it will still be an upset when he wins.

[Turbine]

A win like this could/should make Lawrence attractive to a name sponsor.

Also 16.86 meters make the US Olympic team for the XXX games to be held in London within reach.

Lawrence is almost a quarter of a meter above the "B" standard and less than a quarter of a meter away from the "A" standard.

This is huge.