LaVergne High School Graduate to Compete in Paris Olympics

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Photo: Rutherford County Schools

Former LaVergne High School track standout John Sherman III will be competing in the Paris Olympics.

A current student-athlete at Middle Tennessee State University, Sherman was chosen Team Liberia’s 4×100 meter relay team.

The team recently set the Liberian national record for this relay in Cameroon at the African Games.

“It means a great deal to me to be able to represent my late father and late grandfather by competing for their home country,” Sherman said. “Where I come from, it’s an incredible honor to compete at a national level. It’s humbling.”

Sherman’s grandfather, Liberia’s former minister of commerce, also ran track.

“It feels like I’m carrying on the legacy that he built,” Sherman said. “He was an amazing athlete who played many sports.”

Liberia track coach Sayon Cooper competed at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. He reached out to Sherman about running for Liberia after seeing footage of him running at MTSU.

A 2023 graduate of La Vergne High, Sherman was state runner-up in the 100- and 200-meter races during senior year at LaVergne High School, where he holds the school’s records for both.

The Olympics began July 26. Team Liberia’s first run will be on Aug. 8.

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