HILLSBORO, Kan. – Most people that know the name Rolland "Bay" Lawrence know of him because of his football prowess, making up a key part of the Atlanta Falcons "Grits Blitz" in the late 70s and earning All-Pro honors in 1977. What some people do not know about Lawrence, is that he not only played football and graduated from Tabor College, but he also garnered several accolades as a member of the Bluejay Track and Field team as well.
 
Lawrence earned his flowers as a sprinter and jumper, setting records in events of both disciplines, two of which still stand today.
 
In 1972, Bay recorded an impressive time of 9.8 seconds in the men's 100m race at that years KCAC Track and Field Championships Meet in McPherson, tying Ron Klaassen and John Buller in the record book, who ran the time in 1968 and 1970 respectively.
 
Perhaps the most impressive feat Lawrence recorded while a member of the track program was in the javelin throw. Lawrence's record of 229'6" from the 1973 Sterling Meet still stands today and is 30 feet longer than the modern-day record of 199'1" set in 2019.
 
Those that know Lawrence well wouldn't be at all surprised that his athletic talent exceeded the gridiron, and these records show that.
 
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Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).