EUGENE, Ore. — An East Texas native is headed to the "City of Lights" to compete against the world's best athletes.
Liberty-Eylau alum Jarrion Lawson, 30, qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team on his final attempt at the long jump Monday night at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
Going into his last jump, Lawson was sitting in seventh place. But the track and field veteran's experience and confidence came through, and the Piney Woods product recorded a 8.18 m. (26-10 ft.) jump which put him in a tie for second place and secured him a spot in Paris.
This will be Lawson's second Olympics, having previously qualified for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. That year, he was also awarded The Bowerman, which is given annually to the top male and female collegiate track and field athletes. He earned the honor while attending the University of Arkansas.
The 2024 Games run from Friday, July 26 - Sunday, August 11.