Lawrence Shields

Marion Lawrence "Larry" Shields (March 5, 1895 – February 19, 1976) was an American middle-distance runner who specialized in the 1500 meters. 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.[2][3] Four years later Shields attempted to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris, but failed.[4]

Lawrence Shields

Lawrence Shields in 1919
Personal information
Born	March 5, 1895 West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
Died	February 19, 1976 (aged 80) Rochester, Minnesota, United States[1]
Alma mater	Pennsylvania State University
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight	64 kg (141 lb)
Spouse(s)	Ruth Pike Noyes[1]
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	1500 m
Club	Meadowbrook 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 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.[2]