Marion Lawrence Shields (March 5, 1895 – February 19, 1976) was an American middle-distance runner who specialized in the 1500 meters.[2] Around the time of the First World War he was a student at Mercersburg Academy and trained under the Scots American coach Jimmy Curran. Thereafter he attended Penn State. At the 1920 Summer Olympics he won a bronze medal in the 1500 m. He was also part of the gold medal-winning American team in the 3000 m race but he was not awarded a medal due to being one of the two weakest links of the team.[3][4] Four years later Shields attempted to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris, but failed.[5]

Lawrence Shields
Lawrence Shields in 1919
Personal information
BornMarch 5, 1895
West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
DiedFebruary 19, 1976 (aged 80)
Rochester, Minnesota, United States[1]
Alma materPennsylvania State University
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight64 kg (141 lb)
SpouseRuth Pike Noyes[1]
Sport
SportAthletics
Event1500 m
ClubMeadowbrook Club, Philadelphia
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)1500 m – 4:03.0 (1920)
Mile – 4:18.4 (1922)
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1920 Antwerp 1500 m

In 1923 Shields began a 37-year-long career at Phillips Andover Academy as a biology teacher, coach, alumni director and member of the board of trustees. Shields fought with the U.S. Navy in World War I and II, retiring in the rank of Commodore in the Pacific.[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b M. Lawrence Shields, Sarasota Herald Tribune, February 21, 1976
  2. ^ "Lawrence Shields". Olympedia. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b Larry Shields. sports-reference.com
  4. ^ Has It a Place?, Democrat Chronicle, March 4, 1947
  5. ^ Shields, Old Mile Star, Will Try For Olympics, Binghamton Press, May 6, 1924

External links edit