Tracking the post UL career of Lawrence Willis

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Why not have Acadian Amb. sponsor him---Cool lil Cajun flag and all!!!!!

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Lawrence Willis has never been big on self-promotion, but that should not be confused with lack of confidence or ability. The soft-spoken former UL Ragin' Cajun All-American reminded track and field watchers how good he can be when he finished second in the triple jump at the USA Outdoors meet in 2007. That earned Willis a spot on the U.S. team for the World Championships, despite operating virtually on his own after a year away from the sport. "I prayed to do good, and it was amazing," Willis said. "My prayers were unfolding before my eyes. It was like I was in shock. Then, I went an inch past my personal best, to 55-8." The rest of the story Bruce Brown • bbrown@theadvertiser.com • June 27, 2008

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If anyone can take a year off from international competition, return a year later as his own coach and compete at the world championships and then be one of the contenders for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team the next year, it might be Lawrence Willis. The former UL Ragin’ Cajun All-American coached himself to a career-best 55-8 in the triple jump in 2007, stunning the track world and earning respect among fellow jumpers. “I talk to Lawrence a lot,” said 2005 world champion Walter Davis, a Beau Chene High product and NCAA champion at LSU. “The situation he’s in is difficult. “He doesn’t have a jumps coach to watch his technique. He’s a sheriff, and he works, and with the hours he puts in he doesn’t have somebody to critique him. If he could do that, he would be on the team this year. I applaud him for that.” The rest of the story Bruce Brown • bbrown@theadvertiser.com • June 27, 2008

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Willis Jumps Today

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Willis advanced thanks to his third jump of the evening, after fouling the first and getting a legal distance on his second. There is still work to do if Willis is to make the team, though. His distance ranks eighth out of the 12 qualifiers for Sunday's finals. The top three make the U.S. team for the Olympic Games, which begin Aug. 8. The rest of the story

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. . . former UL All-American and Iota High product Lawrence Willis, who placed seventh in the competition with a 54-6.50 achieved on his third attempt. Willis entered the Trials with a career best of 55-8. The rest of the story Bruce Brown • bbrown@theadvertiser.com • July 7, 2008