FRANKLIN FIELD, Philadelphia
COMPETING in her final year at high school, Clarendon College’s Marla Kay Lampart, who won the Championship of America shot put event at the Penn Relays on Thursday with a heave of 14.41m, was not surprised by the victory.
Lampart, who had problems earlier in the season with an elbow injury, was not at her best but was still able to come out on top.
“It feels great to come to the Penn Relays and be able to come away with a gold medal. This means a lot to me, knowing that it was my final time competing for my school, and to leave on a winning note makes it even more special,” she shared.
“I knew that I had an injury coming into the meet, but I did not let that distract me as I put that behind me and stayed focused,” she said.
Lampart could have left high school in 2025 when she got a full scholarship offer to attend the University of Georgia, but has no regrets about not taking up the offer then.
“No, I have no regrets because staying back at school and fine-tuning my skills will help me to be a better athlete going into the college system,” she said.
The 18-year-old had high praise for some of the people behind her success over the years at Clarendon College.
“I would like to thank my manager, Mr Ludlow Watts, my coach, and other staff, along with my parents, for their support in helping me to achieve my goals,” she said.
