Lawrence inspires Naggo Head defence at INSPORTS National Primary Champs

Youre Lawrence is one of the many reasons why seven-time champions Naggo Head Primary were so dominant at this year's Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) National Primary Schools Athletic Championships, which ended on Saturday at the National Stadium.

Naggo Head, which is located in Portmore, amassed a whopping 228 points, way ahead of their Portmore rivals Southborough (117), third-place Rousseau (103), St Richard's (88 points) and Black River (84), which rounded out the top five.

The grade-five student led from the front as he took the sprint double in fine style. He went into the 100m final under intense pressure as he faced Kensington Primary's Dominique Brown, who is the record holder with 12.53 seconds, after lowering the old standard of 12.72 seconds, which was set by Roje Francis, running for St Francis Primary, in 2009.

Lawrence went into the final with the second-fastest time, 12.71 seconds, which he did in the semi-finals.

However, in the final, he flew out of the blocks like a man possessed, and with a sea of orange and green-clad athletes, parents and supporters cheering wildly, Lawrence stayed in front to deliver the win in 12.62 seconds.

Dominique Brown took silver in 12.83, while Samuel Brown of Harbour View placed third in 13.18.

Lawrence's run in the 200m was also impressive. Having broken the record (25.32 seconds) in the semi-finals, he came off the curve with his signature long strides and by then it was all over by the shouting.

He won in 26.08 seconds, with Spanish Town's Milton Luckain second in 27.59 and third place going to George Headley's Jevon Nelson, 27.61.

DEDICATED to training

"I have worked really hard for this all season and I wish to thank my parents, Judith Clarke and Everton Clarke, for their support and all the coaches, including Mr Floyd Coke," said Lawrence.

"He is dedicated to his training and it has paid off for him; and I love how he balanced his training with schoolwork. He is averaging over 90 percent in school and I think that's great," his stepfather, Everton Clarke, said.

Mrs Clarke revealed that athleticism "runs in his blood".

"I was a former athlete at St Annes High and his brother was also an athlete. Youre is not only a good athlete, he is a team player and a sportsman. When his main competitor, Kensington Primary's Dominique (Brown), went out injured in the 200m final, he went to him to find out if he was okay," she said.

Lawrence, who plans to be a professional athlete in the near future, is inspired by Kingston College's ace sprinter, Jhevaughn Matherson, and Racers Track Club and Jamaica's World 100m gold medallist, Yohan Blake.