Photos provided
Name: Lawrence "Superstar" Terry
Career: Track and field athlete and coaching
High school: Richland Northeast Class of 2002
College, grad. year- N/A
Hobbies, etc.- Coaching, recruiting, developing and marketing websites
Interesting fact: I have a twin
Career: Professional Track and field coach and owner of a portfolio of websites
How did you get involved in the sport and why?
My older brother and sister were student-athletes at Richland Northeast (RNE) and I wanted to be like them and better. My older brother won a football state championship while at RNE so I wanted one too. I knew Corey Head, our current sprints/relays coach, because he was my sister's coach at RNE and I knew he could get me to a state championship. Toussaint Kennedy was the head coach at RNE and during a conversation he talked me into coming out for track. I was tired of hearing Airese Currie name over the intercom for breaking track records every week so I asked Toussaint what events doesn't Airese do. He stated that he didn't do the hurdles so that is what I did, lol.
Explain your progression through the sport.
We won our first state championship my junior year. This year was also my first year running. Then a majority of our coaching staff left my senior year. I decided to handle our fall conditioning since our head coach was involved with football. No one thought we could win state again as a team so we wanted to prove them wrong. Well, we won again my senior year and I continued to volunteer coach at RNE after my graduation. I trained with another one of my teammates, James Jones, and we both competed unattached a few times. But, coaching was where my heart was. I worked with athletes from multiple schools and age ranges throughout the years. In 2006 I met Slyvannes Hepburn who at the time was coaching a group of professional track and field athletes in Columbia and began to work with him. While working with that group I was able to observe some of the best athletes in the world and learn from their actions. Our group contained NCAA Champions, World Champions, Olympians, and athletes from numerous countries. Me and Slyvannes work well together. I would also focus on the recruiting of athletes for our group. I would research times, watch videos of performances, and contact collegiate athletes to inform them about our camp and location. In 2010 I recruited a young lady from Cal State LA who competed in the heptathlon for Bermuda. While working with her on specific techniques she broke the Bermudian Record in the heptathlon and later won nationals. The U.S. Olympic Committee and USATF selected me as an emerging elite coach in the multis. Bermuda selected me as co-head coach of their national track and field teams that were sent to compete in the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. I am still progressing in this sport and look forward to the future. I had a few athletes qualify for U.S.A. indoor and outdoor championships and one qualify for Olympic Trials.
What memories from competing in high school stand out the most?
I have many memories from competing in high school. The track and field environment itself stands out the most to me. I enjoyed practices and the track meets. We had a lot of fun during both while also winning. I truly miss those times.
Are you still competing in the sport today?
I gave up competing a long time ago. Ran in some meets after high school unattached. I even tried the javelin.
Were you ever injured in high school, how did you handle it if so?
Never had a real injury during my high school career. I had a broken heart when I fell on the last hurdle in the 110-meter hurdles at the state meet my senior year.
What do you see is different today from when you competed?
There are a few differences from when I competed in high school, some pros and some cons. The times ran are a little different. I noticed a lot athletes I competed with in high school are now giving back to the state and are now coaching at different high schools across the state. I feel like coaching overall in the state has excelled.
What challenges do you encounter as a coach?
The same as any other coach I guess. I tell people every student-athlete has a story to tell. We are not just coaches at this level. We are coaches, mentors, big brothers, role models, guidance counselors, and some times father figures. Communication is the main challenge I've noticed over the years. You can have all the knowledge in the world as a coach but if you cannot communicate it effectively to your student-athletes then you have nothing.
What piece of coaching or advice that someone gave you has been the biggest help?
This year we hosted our first invitational at Westwood and I was worried about how the meet would be ran. While at the Optimist Relays in Sumter a few weeks ago one of the Sumter coaches told me not to worry because no matter what you do you can't make everyone happy.
I started the Armed Forces Redhawk Relays here at Westwood High School so that we could not only connect our local community with our military community but to also give our student-athletes access to the resources needed to learn more about the numerous possibilities in joining the any branch of our proud military. I have been able to do a lot within the sport although I wasn't afforded the opportunity to truly continue my career after high school. I believe I had the fastest time in the state my senior year in the 110 and open 400. The only loss I had in the 400 my senior year was to Xavier Carter at Taco Bell and he went on to compete at LSU winning the 100 and 400 at NCAA Nationals. Yeah I wish I could have had the opportunity to keep running in a structured program but can't change the past. I've been able to meet, train with, and oversee practices of one of my heroes Allen Johnson and that is one of my high points in my career. I never imagined that I would ever meet him let alone call him a friend. I will probably continue to coach at Westwood until 2050. That sounds like a good year to retire. I plan on going to Europe this summer to coach and recruit more elite athletes to come and train here in Columbia. Helping athletes of all ages achieve their goals in track and field makes me happy. I recently read the piece you had on Marcus Rowland and I remember seeing him compete in high school. I just helped him and my athlete Fred Townsend get into a meet in Trinidad May 10 so that should be a great experience for both. Wish I could go too but we have state qualifier that weekend.
What are you doing in the present and hope to do in the future?
I am presently coaching at Westwood High School in Blythewood. I believe I have assembled one of the best coaching staffs, period. I am currently helping those seniors who want to continue their track and field careers in college do so. That is something I am most proud of and will continue to do in the future. I hope to develop more high school state champions and hopefully some high school national champions. I currently coach two of the coaches on my staff and hope they make a U.S.A. team in the near future.
Did you always have the goal of becoming a coach?
Can't say I did. I did not plan on being a coach but now I cannot picture myself doing anything else.
What motivates you on a daily basis?
The student-athletes and their futures motivate me on a daily basis. Seeing them excel and succeed on and off the track motivates me and my entire coaching staff.
What is it like for you when you walk on the track and are watching races from the sidelines?
I am normally pacing around talking to myself about what I am seeing. Thinking what we can do to get better.
What do you hope your athletes and athletes in the state get out of the sport?
I hope all athletes in this state gain friendships and other relationships while competing in this sport. A free college education is an added benefit.
Do you have any recommendations for parents?
Support your children on and off the track. Track and field is a good sport for all students. I tell parents that you do not have to be the best athlete to enjoy the sport. I've had students come participate because they were shy and wanted to socialize and gain more friends. Luckily we also have heats and flights in our sport. Little Eugene doesn't have to worry about running against the returning state champion in 100-meters at a meet. Our sport is set up to have student-athletes compete against of athletes in their similar athletic abilities or accomplishments.
How is life for you as a coach?
Truly blessed.
What do you think needs to happen in the track and field in South Carolina?
I want South Carolina to get indoor/winter track and field. I am all about getting as much exposure for our student-athletes as we can and indoor track would help South Carolina athletes achieve that. Other states are already doing this and I feel it is an advantage to those states.
Tell us about your team, what do you see them achieving this season?
Both our boys and girls teams are okay. On the boys side we have some of the top throwers, jumpers, and distance runners in the state. Most of them return next year too which will great since we move up to Class AAAA. My girls team is returning three individual state champions plus we have some young talent doing well. We expect both teams to do their best and nothing less.