THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 8, 1996 TAG: 9610080490
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 43 lines
In the fledgling world of Chesapeake field hockey, Oscar Smith's Joetta Thorpe is becoming the Southeastern District's clutch performer.
The Tigers have won just two games this season, both by 1-0 scores, and it was Thorpe who scored the goals. Her second goal came last week in an overtime victory against Western Branch that lifted Oscar Smith's record in the district to 2-2.
``I just go out there and hustle,'' Thorpe said. ``I try to hustle the whole game. I just try to cheer up the whole team if we make a mistake.''
After dragging her feet about joining the team, the sophomore now rates field hockey alongside her traditional sport of basketball. In the beginning, all she knew was that field hockey was played in the Beach District.
``I didn't have a clue,'' she said. ``It was totally different from anything. I thought the players would have to wear big uniforms.''
In the long run, Thorpe would have preferred the clunky outfits she envisioned.
``The most difficult thing is having to wear skirts on the field,'' she said. ``It's not like I never wore one before, but it's totally different having to wear one and play.''
The skills Thorpe learned quickly. After coach Patty Walsh talked Thorpe into joining the team, she played her at defense. Now, Thorpe has settled into the forward slot.
``It was a chore at first to get her to come out because she didn't know anything about it,'' Walsh said. ``Once out there, because she is such an athlete, she took to it like a fish to water. She has great speed and athletic ability. She's probably the fastest out there on all the teams. She just glides like a deer.''
As she streaks down the field, Thorpe tunnels her vision to the cage and prepares her scoring strike.
``There's a lot of pressure,'' Thorpe said. ``Everybody counts on me. I just think about hitting the ball between the lines. It's not hard to focus. Ms. Walsh is always in my head, `Focus. Focus.' So I do.'' ILLUSTRATION: Joetta Thorpe by CNB