Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 3, 1990 TAG: 9007030076
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHUCK MILTEER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The inaugural Virginia CorEast State Games get cranked up Thursday and run through Sunday at more than 30 different locations in and around the Roanoke Valley. In terms of scope, it's the largest athletic event ever held in the region. Even if you wanted to, it would be impossible to take in every event at the games.
Now, if you're a rabid table tennis fan, the decision is easy: camp out at North Cross School's old gymnasium for the weekend and watch the entire competition. But if you have varied interests and are looking for a few good events to take in, the variety can be overwhelming.
Not to worry.
Here's a brief guide to the games, based on insiders' suggestions about events that are likely to be exciting, interesting or unusual.
Thursday
Thursday's schedule is the lightest of the games' four days, but the main events are\ cycling road races in the masters division (ages 30 and up). The races begin at 10 a.m. and finish up about 4 p.m.
Among the participants are two of the top cyclists in the country, Dr. Camilla Buchanan of Williamsburg and James Montgomery of Herndon. Both compete in the 45-49 age bracket.
The start-finish line for the races is at mile marker 113 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The best bet is to park at nearby William Byrd High School in Vinton and walk the quarter mile or so to the parkway overlook near the finish line.
Later in the afternoon, 1988 Olympic, archery gold medalist Jay Barrs will give an exhibition at the site of the games' archery competition at McLelland Street Park in Salem. The time is tentatively set for 3 p.m. But there will be bull's-eyes aplenty all day at the site, where competition begins at 9:30 a.m.
Friday
Competition picks up in most sports, making the choices more difficult. Nonetheless there are a couple of events that look like sure-fire best bets.
At 2 p.m. at Fallon Park pool in Southeast Roanoke, about 120 of the best swimmers competing in the games will convene for an\ all-star swim meet. The meet should finish up around 5:30.
Victory Stadium in Downtown Roanoke is the site for Friday evening's\ opening ceremonies, the only time you'll be able to see all the competitors gathered in one place.
The event begins at 7 p.m. and will be highlighted by the parade of athletes, the finish of the state-wide torch run and lighting of the flame that will burn for the duration of the games. Entertainment will be provided by a state all-star high school band and (about 9:30 p.m.) a concert by '60s pop group Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (see related story on this page).
Other possibilities for stops earlier Friday if you're planning a tour de State Games: The opening of\ soccer competition at the River's Edge Sports Complex in South Roanoke, beginning about 9 a.m. and continuing all day, and\ table tennis competition at North Cross School's old gymnasium in Southwest Roanoke County starting about 11 a.m. and going into the late afternoon. Saturday
The day presents an overload of good events all day and some difficult choices.
You can head out to Bernard's Landing at Smith Mountain Lake for the\ water skiing events in Sailors Cove that begin about 8 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. Skiers will compete in both slalom and trick categories.
Or, if you are (or need to entertain) a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fan, you can head to William Fleming High School in Northwest Roanoke for the\ karate competition. The early events, beginning at 9 a.m., are black-belt kata and weapons.
In kata, the competitors perform precise karate movements against an imaginary opponent. In the weapons competition, the athletes showcase their skill with staff, nunchuks and flat sword. The kumite or free-fighting competition kicks off at 2 p.m., with athletes matched up against opponents.
At Roanoke College's Bast Center, you can take in the exploits of some top-notch badminton players, including Ignatius Rusli of Arlington, one of the United States' best players. Times are still tentative but should be about 9 a.m. to noon.
Future Bill Elliotts or Mario Andrettis - about 30 of them - will compete in the\ soap box derby at the track on Buck Mountain Road in Southwest Roanoke County. The action begins at 7 a.m., with the finals around noon.
The Hollins College swimming center is the site for the\ synchronized swimming competition. The duet events, which should have the largest pool of competitors, are scheduled to begin around 3 p.m., but the hair-gel-and-nose-plug set will be in action from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Later, the highlight of the gymnastics competition should be the team competition beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Cave Spring high School in Southwest Roanoke County. The event will feature an exhibition by U.S. Olympian Hope Spivey and reigning Miss Virginia (and former olympic hopeful) Tami Elliott.
Sunday
World-class shooters will rattle the early morning air in\ skeet shooting competition at the Franklin County Gun Club from 8 to 11 a.m. Roanoker Bruce Michie, an olympic hopeful, is expected to be one of the top entrants.
If you'd rather hear sabers rattle to start off the final day of the games, you can check out the fencing competition at Hollins College, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The finals should begin around noon.
The gold medal game in boys' open basketball competition tips off about 3 p.m. at the Carter Center at North Cross School. The open division features some of the best rising senior players in the state - quite a few are being heavily recruited by colleges.
The fastest sport on eight wheels - hockey ball, better known as roller hockey - will also wind up competition Sunday afternoon. Games in the top division will be going on at the Star City Skating Center, corner of Hershberger and Plantation roads, from about 1:30 to 5 p.m.
All-event passes, which will get you into any event including the opening ceremonies, are $20. They are available at numerous locations, including CMT Sporting Goods, all CorEast Savings Bank branches and the Virginia Amateur Sports offices on the fourth floor of the Shenandoah Building on First Street in Downtown Roanoke. Most outdoor events are free; tickets for other events are available at the door and range from $2 to $5.
Good luck, and let the spectating begin.
by CNB