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.