ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605200143
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
The phrase "qualifying heat" took on a new meaning at the Region C track meet at Glenvar High School Saturday, as high humidity and temperatures surpassing 90 degrees contributed to a general discomfort for all.
But there were several performers who seemed almost oblivious to the warmth - or perhaps they used perspiration as a source of inspiration - as two new region champions were crowned and four meet records were set.
Floyd County, bolstered by 1-2 finishes from Ben Cooke and Aaron Ott in the 3,200-meter run late in the day, overtook defending champion Giles in the boys' competition. Cooke and Ott scored 18 team points in the 3,200, a critical difference in the final points standings as the Buffaloes outscored Giles 73-64.
Covington, which won several field events and led the boys' team competition until the final races, finished third with 52 points. Lebanon and James River placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
Paced by a dominant performance from Nikki Davis, who won the shot put, discus, finished second in the 300 hurdles and was on the winning 1,600 relay team, Patrick Henry-Glade Spring knocked off defending champion Giles 78-63 in the girls' competition. Chilhowie, Floyd County, and James River placed third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.
Meet records were established by Glenvar senior Trish Nervo (5:07 in the 1,600-meter run, besting her own mark from last year by five seconds), Auburn senior Crystal Moles in the 800 (even though she had run that distance just four times previously), Shawsville freshman Megan Forster in the 400, and James River junior Melissa Baker in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles.
``I run my best in hot weather,'' said Baker, who won three events - the 300 hurdles, 100 and 200 - and placed fifth in the long jump. ``I think the heat warms up my muscles or something.''
Glenvar's Nervo found the heat to be an obstacle, even though she won the 1,600 by 20 seconds and the 3,200 by 39 seconds. Her time of 11:32 in the 3,200 was 12 seconds slower than her meet-record performance of a year ago.
``It's too hot to run,'' said Dicky Myers, Nervo's coach. ``Temperature like this can make a difference of 30 seconds in the two-mile run. We've been training in cool weather. It was in the 50s three days ago.''
Cooke and Ott provided perhaps the most interesting drama of the day in the boys' 3,200. ``We knew we were behind by five points [before the event],'' Cooke said.
``Everyone was telling us we needed to finish 1-2,'' Ott said. They accomplished their goal, and clinched the meet, in spite of a strong kick from James Bryson of Galax.
Ott immediately collapsed in the infield after crossing the finish line, but was not injured. ``I gave it all I had. The heat really got to me,'' Ott said.
``That collapse was trademark Ott,'' Cooke grinned.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB