Razorback signee named athlete of the year

FAYETTEVILLE - In recognition of his outstanding senior season at Texarkana Liberty-Eylau High School, future Razorback Jarrion Lawson was recently named the 2012 National High School Boys Track and Field Player of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA). Lawson is the No. 1-ranked prep long jumper and triple jumper in the nation.

Most recently, Lawson set two class records and established nation-leading marks in both events on his way to a pair of state titles at the 2012 UIL Texas 3A State Championships in May. He got out to a mark of 25-8 in the long jump, surpassing the 16-year-old Class 3A record of 25-2.5. In the triple jump, Lawson posted a jump of 51-10.25 which was more than a foot past the previous class mark.

For his performance at the Texas State Championships, Lawson was named the 3A Most Outstanding Athlete for the second-consecutive year and helped his team to a third-place finish. In addition to this prowess on the track, he was also a member of the Leopards' basketball and football teams. Academically, Lawson is ranked No. 11 in his senior class at Liberty-Eylau.

The Texarkana, Texas, native is a member of the Razorbacks' 2012-13 signing class that currently includes Kemoy Campbell (Manchester, Jamaica/South Plains College), Stefan Fennell (Kingston, Jamaica/Kingston College), Eric Janise (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands HS), Stanley Kenebei (Nakura, Kenya/Iowa Central CC), Ken LaGassey (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands HS) and Cale Wallace (Houston, Texas/Cypress-Ranch HS).

The NHSCA is a non-profit service organization founded in 1989 to provide support and leadership programs for the nation's 500,000 high school coaches. The organization selects National Coaches and Senior Athletes of the Year in 22 boys and girls sports. The NHSCA offices are located in Easton, Pa.

For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.