Vere, Clarendon — Albert Lawrence, a sprint relay silver medallist at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles was honoured by Vere Technical High School at the 6th staging of the Ben Francis Invitational meet held at the Jamalco Sports Complex last month.

Lawrence a past student of Vere Technical won the high schools’ Boys Athletics Championships Class 1 boys 100m in 1980 clocking 10.74 seconds. He made the Jamaica team to the Moscow Olympics in 1980, becoming the first male Olympian from Vere Technical High.

Four years later he teamed up with Donald Quarrie, Raymond Stewart, and Gregory Meghoo to take the sprint relay Silver in Los Angeles.

A native of Lyssons, St Thomas, Lawrence attended Morant Bay Primary, Lyssons All-Age, Seaforth Secondary then Vere Technical.

He later attended Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.

Lawrence told the Jamaica Observer Central that he felt honoured to be recognised by his school. He recalled happy memories attending Vere and competing for the school.

“It was great. For one winning that 100 metres (Boys Champs 1980) except that in ’79 I should have won that race and somehow I took my eyes off the finish line and George Walcott of Calabar sneaked up on the inside and got me right there. I went to my coach Alrick Waite and told him I’m not going to lose in the following year.

“That was an exciting year for me (1980) also a sad year. I lost my mom during the Olympic trials which was so sad, I wish she was there to see everything but on the other hand it was an exciting year for me making the Olympic team at that age (19) — getting out of Vere Technical going straight to the Olympics. It was a great feeling to do that with other great athletes. In 1984 it was very, very exciting running with Gregory Megoo, Raymond Stewart and Donald Quarrie. They didn’t give Jamaica any chance and at the same time they saw us as a threat and was pushing us all over and placing us in lane one every race that we ran but that didn’t stop us. We decided we still have to run our race and go take care of business and we surprised a lot of countries,” he said.

“I feel excited and it’s joys and tears and it is just a wonderful, wonderful feeling as Vere Technical is always doing great things not only in sports but also academically. It’s good to bring back their past students and honour them, a lot of the past students are giving back to the school and doing their very best and there is a legacy that goes on” he said.

Lawrence’s Alma Mater Abilene Christian University has been among contributors to the Vere Technical track and field programme donating hurdles, spikes and other equipment to the school.

Lawrence had the opportunity to witness impressive performances at the Ben Francis Invitational meet including Edwin Allen High’s Romario James winning the Class 3 boys 400m and 1500m in 58.75 seconds and 5 minutes 12.08 seconds respectively; and Fiona Barnes of Vere winning the Class One Girls High Jump with 1.55m and Triple Jump Open with 11.30m.

— Everard Owen