THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610230199
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 68 lines
Brent and Randy Nieter are lucky as fathers and sons go.
The two get to spend a lot of time together, running, training and talking.
Of course, the two are unlucky for the same reasons. Randy Nieter, the cross country coach at Atlantic Shores, is experiencing the trials of coaching his own son, who is a senior at the school.
``It's a great joy to be able to spend time with him,'' Randy Nieter said. ``I've enjoyed being able to spend time with Brent. In some ways, it's extra pressure on him and in some ways it's more pressure on myself.''
The elder Nieter is a lifelong runner. A former competitor at Grace College in Indiana, he still stays in condition and now runs marathons.
Once Brent reached an age to run, he was heavily encouraged by his father to begin competing. Initially resistant, he quickly took cross country and began competing on the Atlantic Shores varsity in ninth grade.
``My parents kind of forced me into it,'' Brent said. ``They thought I would be good at it. I really like it now.''
Brent started out running the 3.1-mile course in the 22-minute range. Now he is hugging his goal of 17 minutes flat. Last week, he ran a personal best 17:29 in adverse wind conditions.
His improvement has allowed him to move from trailing his dad on the course to passing him early. Brent says he feels no pressure from the father/coach relationship. The pressure he feels comes from within.
``Sometimes, I put more pressure on myself because I really want to do something and I'm disappointed in myself if I don't,'' he said.
The disappointments have been few. Running as an independent, the Atlantic Shores team has run a variety of invitationals this season and is preparing for the state meet Friday. Brent won the Cape Henry Invitational, finished a close second in the Norfolk Christian meet and has four top-10 finishes. He is expected to do well in the final two regular-season meets.
This year, Brent plans to train year-round, something he has not done in the past.
``I should, but I haven't,'' he said. ``I usually start in the middle of the summer.''
And immediately wishes he had never stopped.
``It usually takes about two weeks for me to start feeling like I can run sort of OK,'' he said. ``You really have to push yourself. You have to start with two-mile runs.''
Sometimes in the summer, his dad still runs with him. The two get along well and enjoy the jaunts. At practice and at home, Randy is always giving Brent advice. His best words of wisdom to date?
``Don't give up,'' Brent said. ``When I started, I really didn't want to do it, but he told me not to give up. In ninth grade, all the cross country was varsity, everyone was running. I just went ahead and tried.''
He hasn't stopped trying since. Both Nieters are confident Brent can break the 17-minute mark either during the season or in the upcoming Foot Locker event in North Carolina. To do that, he'll have to discipline himself to finish strong.
``I have a tendency to slow down towards the end of the race and the other people are picking it up,'' he said. ``That actually pushes me. That's my worst fear - having people catch me at the end.''
Brent is trying to overcome the problem by sticking to the stride his body knows works and not panicking. In the end, it makes his run more competitive and the event more enjoyable. And keeps him on track.
``I really enjoy doing it,'' Brent said. ``It's fun for me. I enjoy the challenge and trying to push myself further.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Brent Nieter, Atlantic Shores
Coached by his father, Randy
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB