THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 28, 1996 TAG: 9606280614
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 39 lines
A torch, some medals and a variety of Olympic-style events are just some of the ingredients making up this weekend's 8th annual Virginia State Games.
An estimated 5,000 participants are expected to compete at various sites in Hampton Roads. The diving events will take place at the University of Richmond.
``With this being an Olympic year, this has people focused on the Olympic style of competing,'' Jeff Sias, director of the State Games, said.
The official kickoff is scheduled for tonight. The opening ceremonies at the 24th Street Park on the Oceanfront begin with the lighting of the torch at 7:30.
Jan Trombly, a member of the Old Dominion women's AIAW national championship basketball team in 1979 and former Olympic handball player, will carry the torch.
Trombly also carried the Olympic torch in Richmond last weekend on its way to the Summer Games in Atlanta.
The State Games is making its second appearance in Hampton Roads. The first five installments were in Richmond before the games came to Hampton Roads in 1994.
The games alternate every other year with Richmond hosting in odd-numbered years and Hampton Roads in even-numbered years.
This weekend's competition ranges from standard sporting contests to off-the-wall recreational events. In addition to basketball, soccer and swimming, medals will be awarded in paintball, boomerang and darts.
Boomerang, coordinated by 1991 world champion John Koehler, will have three days of competition at Red Wing Park. Today, children between the ages of 7-15 will compete while the adults take their turns Saturday and Sunday.
Among the six events Saturday and Sunday at the Pavilion is fencing.
Diane Ferguson of Bethesda, Md., is expected to compete in the foil and sabre divisions. Ferguson advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Fencing Association's national championships this month in Cincinnati. by CNB