Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 1, 1993 TAG: 9312010107
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
A seventh-grader at Dublin Middle School, the 12-year-old Neely will be running for national honors later this month. She has qualified for the national Junior Olympics cross country meet on the 1.8-mile course at Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I. on Dec. 11.
"There'll be a lot of people there, about 200 to 300 runners," said Neely. "It will take a lot of practice. They only take the top 25 [for awards]. I might be able to come in 10th through 20th. That's my hope."
Neely started running about four years ago when her father, KEITH NEELY, took up the sport. About that time, Katie Neely entered a race with her father and won her age group by default because there were no other entrants.
Despite the lack of competition though, her effort did not go unnoticed. And that led to other races.
"I would be [finishing] first or second and everyone would be telling me I was doing pretty good when they looked at my time," she said.
At present, Neely runs with the Bearcats Track Club of Bristol. Her training during the week usually involves a couple of miles in the morning before school and even more running - three to five miles.
Neely qualified for the nationals by running well in the regional and state meets, both held during November in Virginia Beach.
And once the nationals are over, Neely has both some short-term and long-term goals. In the short run, she hopes to break the state age group record of 21 minutes, 17 seconds in the 5K (3.1 miles).
Neely thought she had broken or tied the record in Wytheville earlier this year but the course had not been certified. Last month, Neely tied the record at Abingdon.
She has run the fastest 5K for in her age group in Tennessee - 21:32. But because Neely is not a resident of that state, the result of that Bristol race was not recognized as the state record.
Neely also wants to compete in higher levels as she gets old enough.
"I want to run in high school and college," she said. "Hopefully, I'll be good enough to get a scholarship to college. Hopefully I still be running when I get there."
\ VOLLEYBALL CHOICE: Athlete's Choice knocked off regular season winner Jetsetters 9-15, 15-5, 16-14 to win the Radford Fall Co-Ed Tournament title.
For the season, Athlete's Choice (11-2) finished tied with Side Out (11-2) for second, one-game behind Jetsetters (12-1). Athlete's Choice took care of Side Out in the semifinals 15-13, 7-15, 15-7.
The Jetsetters eliminated fourth-place finisher Scoreboard (9-4) in straight sets in the other semifinal, 15-4, 15-7.
\ UPCOMING IN BLACKSBURG: If you want to swim into the new year, the Blacksburg Aquatic Center is the place for you. The indoor pool facility has open swims and swim classes.
Upcoming classes include Water Swimming Classes (registration begins Dec. 10 at 6 a.m.), and Water Aerobics (registration begins Dec. 15 at 6 a.m.)
During December and January, the center will operate Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday 1-6 p.m.
The facility will be closed Dec. 21-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1 for cleaning and holidays.
Also, the pool will close at 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, Jan. 12 and Jan. 21 for swim meets.
For more information about the aquatic center, call TERRI KIRK, the aquatic supervisor, at 961-1852.
If you feel like spiking or setting, be ready early on Dec. 8. Registration for winter volleyball will begin that day at 8 a.m. and will continue on a first-come, first-served basis until all leagues are filled. The cost is $50 per team. There is also a $10 forfeit fee and $5 fee for each nontown resident on the team.
A couple of basketball leagues still have openings. Registration for Men's A and Women's Open Basketball leagues is continuing until each league has six teams. The cost is $220 per team, a $20 forfeit fee and a $10 fee for each nontown resident. Games will be at the Blacksburg Community Center. The men will play on Monday nights, the women on Sunday afternoons.
For more information, call PHIL CONNER, the Community Building Supervisor, at 961-1135, Monday through Thursday afternoons and evenings.
\ UPCOMING IN CHRISTIANSBURG: Friday is your last chance if you want to go racing with Christiansburg. That's the deadline to sign up for trips to the Goodwrench 500 and the TranSouth Financial 400 being sponsored by the parks and Recreation Department.
The Goodwrench 500 is Feb. 27 at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, N.C. The cost is $80.
The TransSouth 400 is March 27 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. The cost is $85.
The price includes race ticket and transportation.
Registration must be done in person. Persons until 21 must be accompanied by a paying adult to make the trip.
The bouncing ball won't bounce if you're not signed up by Dec. 17. That's the deadline for registration for five adult basketball leagues: Men's Slowbreak Open, Men's Slowbreak Open Over 30, Men's Slowbreak Church, Women's Slowbreak Open and Women's Slowbreak Church.
The cost is $230 per team plus a $10 fee for each nontown resident.
There will be a meeting of team managers on Dec. 21.
For more information on these or other programs, call TIM COONEY, the athletic supervisor, at 382-6975.
\ UPCOMING IN RADFORD: Friday is also the last day for youths who want to follow the bouncing ball. Registration for the Rookie (ages 7-8), Midget (ages 9-10) and Junior (ages 11-12) leagues has been extended through the end of the week.
On Saturday, there will be a clinic and the draft for the Junior and Midget leagues at the Recreation Department. The Juniors will begin their clinic at 9 a.m. the Midgets at 11 a.m. Practice in those leagues will begin the week of Dec. 6 with games begining Dec. 18.
The Rookies will start practice the week of Dec. 13 with the first games on Jan. 8.
Volleyball time is just around the corner. Again. There will be an organizational meeting for winter co-ed volleyball on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Recreation Department. Teams must have a representative at the meeting. Games will be played on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings beginning in early January.
For more information about these or other programs, call the Recreation Department at 731-3633.
\ COMMUNITY SPORTS LINE: If you know of any interesting people involved in recreation and community sports, interesting stories, or good efforts that would otherwise go unnoticed - please tell us.
Our telephone number is 1-800-346-1234, Ext. 664.
That's the Roanoke Times Community Sports Line. And its waiting 24 hours a day for your call.
by CNB