Will Nedrick’s record go?

Courtney Lawrence is the latest in a growing line of fine throwers from Petersfield High School and could join the likes of Daniel Cope, Sanjay Lawrence, and Kevin Nedrick, as an ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championship winner today. Lawrence qualified easily for the Class One shot put final and has set the stage for glory.

Third last year, Lawrence needed just one throw –18.08 metres – to secure a place in the final. He was well clear of discus winner Kai Chang of Calabar High School, who produced a distance of 17.45 metres yesterday morning. Machel Woolery, the Petersfield coach, says Lawrence is ready to throw far.

“He has a legacy to protect, and he understands what is expected of him”, Woolery said, in reference to Champs success by Lawrence’s predecessors. “I expect him, if all goes well, to challenge Nedrick’s record, so let’s see what happens.”

Two years ago, Nedrick won the gold medal with a national junior record of 20.65 metres. Lawrence’s best throws tape out to 18.86 metres at Manchester High School in January and 18.64 at the McKenley/Wint Classic in the same month. In the latter meet, he sustained his only loss of the season. The McKenley/Wint winner was Chang’s Calabar colleague Kobe Graham at 18.88m.

“Well, he’s ready physically,” Woolery observed. “We’ll try to get him ready mentally so we expect him to go.”

The final is scheduled for 4:50 p.m.