Konawaena track and field standout Lawrence “Rama” Barrett is this week’s West Hawaii Today Athlete of the Week.
Konawaena track and field standout Lawrence “Rama” Barrett is this week’s West Hawaii Today Athlete of the Week.
Barrett, a long distance specialist, did his part to help lead the Wildcats to their first team title in what was estimated to be more than a quarter century. Barrett claimed the 1,500 for his first career gold. After running hopelessly behind Waiakea’s Louie Ondo so many times on the track and in cross- country, victory tasted sweet.
“It was just so perfect,” said Barrett, who also ran a leg of the 1,600 relay. “I really love this team.”
Barrett nearly added to his gold haul in the 800, but teammate Josiah Vallez ran him down to win a photo finish by two one-hundredths of a second.
“My friend, Josiah,” Barrett said. “I didn’t hear him (coming) at all. He’s going to be the next big thing.”
Do you know a local youth athlete that deserves to be named Athlete of the Week? Let us know by emailing sports@westhawaiitoday.com with the suggestion and a few sentences why.