Rio Grande News
Coaches and administrators look on as Gallia Academy's Casey Lawrence signs to run track at Rio Grande
Thu, May. 31, 2012 - [Men's Track & Field]
Rio Grande Sports Information
GALLIPOLIS, Ohio - University of Rio Grande head track & field coach Bob Willey has announced the signing of Gallia Academy High School's Casey Lawrence for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Lawrence was an all-Southeastern Ohio Athletic League honoree in the 4x100 relay during his career with the Blue Devils. "I'm very excited to be able to further my running at the next level," Lawrence said. "Getting the chance to continue my career in college has been a dream of mine since I began running in junior high."
Lawrence, who will major in chemistry, pointed to Rio Grande's close proximity to home as a big reason for choosing to run for the RedStorm.
"Casey's a very versatile athlete. He ran cross country in high school and was also involved in a lot of different events in track & field," Willey said. "Our plan once he gets here is to train him as a decathlete. He's excited about that and so are we. He's a strong runner and he does many events well, which makes him a great candidate for the decathlon."
And will Lawrence be a part of the Rio cross country squad as well?
"He asked about that, but the answer is no," said Willey. "We want to start him conditioning for the decathlon when he arrives in the fall and he was thrilled with that. He could get through 5K, but the 8K, I think, would be a little more for him."
Lawrence agreed.
"I need to work on my stamina, but I think can add depth in any event," he said. "My goal is just to help the team become better as a whole."
Lawrence is the son of Andy and Daphne Lawrence of Gallipolis.
GALLIPOLIS, Ohio - University of Rio Grande head track & field coach Bob Willey has announced the signing of Gallia Academy High School's Casey Lawrence for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Lawrence was an all-Southeastern Ohio Athletic League honoree in the 4x100 relay during his career with the Blue Devils. "I'm very excited to be able to further my running at the next level," Lawrence said. "Getting the chance to continue my career in college has been a dream of mine since I began running in junior high."
Lawrence, who will major in chemistry, pointed to Rio Grande's close proximity to home as a big reason for choosing to run for the RedStorm.
"Casey's a very versatile athlete. He ran cross country in high school and was also involved in a lot of different events in track & field," Willey said. "Our plan once he gets here is to train him as a decathlete. He's excited about that and so are we. He's a strong runner and he does many events well, which makes him a great candidate for the decathlon."
And will Lawrence be a part of the Rio cross country squad as well?
"He asked about that, but the answer is no," said Willey. "We want to start him conditioning for the decathlon when he arrives in the fall and he was thrilled with that. He could get through 5K, but the 8K, I think, would be a little more for him."
Lawrence agreed.
"I need to work on my stamina, but I think can add depth in any event," he said. "My goal is just to help the team become better as a whole."
Lawrence is the son of Andy and Daphne Lawrence of Gallipolis.
