Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 8, 1993 TAG: 9305070499
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN DeVIDO SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
No matter, though. Ollendick steps out into the hallway with a grin on her face.
The Blacksburg High School senior is happy these days. She's gotten rid of most of the pressure that goes with being a defending high school state champion.
Last year, Ollendick won the 400 meters and high jump at the AA state meet, but she said those victories created problems for her at the beginning of this season.
"I put pressure on myself," she said. "I had high expectations for myself and I was so worried about doing well that I wasn't doing what I do best - which is running. Now, running my best times and doing my best are more important to me than winning," she said.
Her new attitude seems to have helped her recent performances. She broke two personal records April 28 in a meet against Christiansburg.
She leaped an inch higher than in last year's state championship victory in the high jump, clearing the 5-foot, 8-inch mark, and she ran her best time in the 800 meters, finishing in 2:26.
If all goes well for Ollendick, she'll compete in both the 400 and 800 meters at states.
She's excited about competing in a new event.
"Every coach I've talked to said I'd be a good 800 runner" she said. "When you try something new like the 800, it makes you look forward to competing more."
But the 400/800 combination will be a tough one for Ollendick- especially if she qualifies for the state meet in both events.
"It'll be a hard double," said Blacksburg girls' track coach Cecile Newcomb. "There's only one event in between the 400 and 800 at states, so she'll have an hour at the most to rest."
And Ollendick knows how important rest is after the 400.
"The 400 really takes a lot out of your legs," she said. "But the competition at states will push me."
Ollendick has a 4.0 grade-point average at Blacksburg. She'll take her track shoes next year to the University of Virginia, which offered her a full track scholarship.
A new challenge looms for Ollendick next year at the ACC school: the heptathlon. The heptathlon consists of seven events: the high jump, the long jump, the shot put, the javelin, the 200 meters, 800 meters and 100 hurdles.
"I'm excited to try something new," she said. "I haven't thrown before, so I'll have to have some sort of summer workout, but my versatility should help me out."
Challenges of all kinds await for Ollendick. On Tuesday, she'll try to win her fourth consecutive New River District title in the 400 meters. Next, she'll attempt to repeat as the state's 400 and high jump champion.
Finally, she'll try to succeed at the collegiate level in an event she's never done before.
Enough pressure to make even Cool Hand Luke crack? Certainly.
But if Ollendick has learned anything this year, it's how to deal with the pressure that comes with being successful.
by CNB