ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 10, 1996 TAG: 9605100018
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PEARISBURG
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
Megan Noble has been running track for four years for Giles coach Rusty Kelley, but, if it wasn't for her motivation, dedication and a little pestering, she might never have had the opportunity to try what has quickly become her best event.
"I've been running track since eighth grade, but I wanted to run hurdles and coach wouldn't let me at first because he thought I was too short," said Noble, a junior who is 5 feet 3. "But I kept asking and asking and finally, in the ninth grade, he needed some more hurdlers so he let me give them a try."
Kelley may continue to toast his good fortune. Noble proved she has the strength - if not the height - to excel in hurdling events, making it all the way to the state finals in the 100 meter hurdles last season before finishing in eighth place. In addition to running the 100 and 300 hurdles, Noble also competes in both the long and the triple jump, and placed 13th in the state in the triple in '95.
Her parents say they are looking forward to making a return trip to watch their daughter in this year's state meet, assuming she makes it. They don't tempt fate, though.
"You bet we'll be there," said Nancy Noble, Megan's mother. "But we don't make our reservations until after regionals. ... We don't want to jinx it."
Noble is focusing on more than just a return trip to the state meet. There are a few other milestones she hopes to reach along the way as well.
"Our school has a record for the triple jump, and I've gotten close to breaking it but I scratched," Noble said. "The record is 35 feet, 1 inch and I had almost gotten 35 when I scratched. We also have a top-five in the history of our school in the 300 hurdles I'd like to be in. I need 51.8, and I run it in 52-flat most of the time, so I'm real close."
Kelley said hard work has propelled Noble to her current level.
"She's real competitive, plus she's an extremely hard worker," Kelley said. "She's real serious about what she does, in particular she wants to do things the right way. She's real conscious of the right way to perform whether it's jumping or hurdling, in practice or at a meet."
Noble is the team's second leading scorer behind senior Keeli Whetzel, who competes in the sprints and jumping events.
"Keeli and Megan are very close as far as what they bring to our team and what they do to prepare themselves," Kelley said. "Both of them are very hard workers, usually the last two to leave practice."
Noble's work ethic is just as apparent in her academic life as it is on the track. She carries a 4.12 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and is involved in several clubs at Giles. She also participates in an honor program called Serve, Earn & Learn. Through the program, Noble spends numerous hours doing volunteer work. Among the more tangible rewards is a $500 college scholarship.
"She's tremendously motivated in everything she does," Nancy Noble said. "She's just a terrific kid. We're real proud to be her parents."
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: GENE DALTON/Staff. Megan Noble made it all the way toby CNBthe state finals in the 100 meter hurdles last season before
finishing in eighth place.