Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 22, 1994 TAG: 9405220070
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Yet the Laurel Park senior was Timesland's only double winner Saturday in the Region III boys' and girls' track meet as she swept to victories in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs.
What's more, she'll be back to defend the state title she won in the 3,200-meter run as a junior when she runs in the Group AA meet this week at Harrisonburg.
Salem's girls joined Hairston as the big news for Timesland. The Spartans swept to the team crown past two-time defending titlist Brookville. In the boys' meet, Appomattox County took team honors.
Timesland girls' performers were strong. Hairston was joined by Salem's Amy Pitts (100-meter hurdles), Rockbridge County's Jennifer Vest (300-hurdles), Salem's 400-meter relay team of Shellie Johnson, Marilyn Huang, Shelva Clemons and Bekka Cobb, and Northside freshman Emily Hollett (long jump) as winners.
The only Timesland winners for boys came from Rockbridge County's Marty Early (triple jump), Staunton River freshman Brian Harlor (3,200) and the Northside 400-relay team of Karim Thompson, Brian Powell, Shawn Sprouse and Donald Shovely.
In both of her victories, Hairston stayed on the heels of the leaders and used a strong kick on the final lap to win going away.
"I think I amaze people some time [because of my height]. It amazes me. My mother and father both ran, so it's in my genes. I turn to God and give him all the thanks for what I do," said Hairston.
When she goes to the state, Hairston may only run the 3,200 as she did last year and try to catch other performers who try and double the distance runs. It paid off last year as she was fresh and ready for high school track's longest race.
Next year, Hairston says she'll go to either Norfolk State, Elizabeth City State, South Carolina State or Christopher Newport for track.
Rockbridge County's Vest won one duel with Pitts and lost the other. It's been that way this year as the Wildcats runner has dominated the longer hurdles' event from the Salem junior.
"I think my time [46.4 seconds] was real good," Vest said of the 300 hurdles. "My goal is the state. I fell in it last year."
For the boys, Early got off his best performance of the year in the triple jump to emerge as Timesland's only field-event winner.
"They've got two dudes in Charlottesville who jump 47 or 48 feet, so I'll have to do that to win the state," said Early, who was fifth last year. "I can do that."
As for team scores, Salem won its first regional track championship since the first year the school opened in 1978. That year, the Spartans took the Group AAA Northwest Region championship, so it's been a long time for coach Tom Roth to return to the top of the mountain.
Memo: see microfilm for complete results.