Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 1, 1995 TAG: 9502010037
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
But don't tell that to four distance runners from the New River Valley.
The quartet went to North Carolina for the Charlotte Marathon in early January. The result: four qualifiers for the upcoming Boston Marathon.
The quickest time was turned in by MAARTEN VAN GEIDER of Blacksburg. He finished 16th overall in the men's division, covering the 26 miles, 385 yards in 2 hours, 48 minutes and 25 seconds.
DOC WEISS of Staffordsville finished in less than three hours, as well: 2:59:20. He placed 46th overall in the men's division and second in the 45-49 age group.
KEITH NEELY of Christiansburg also was in the top 100 in the men's division: 96th. He was 13th in the 40-44 age group with a time of 3:10:32.
But the best finish belonged to Christiansburg's TRISH MENKART, who was sixth in the women's division with a 3:27:15.
It was the first marathon either Neely or Menkart had run.
WINTER WALK-ABOUTS: The Blacksburg YMCA continues its series of weekend hikes with four treks in February.
Hikers should meet in the parking lot of the YMCA Building at 403 Washington St., bringing water, a jacket, sturdy shoes and snacks for Saturday trips. And they should be ready to help with carpool chores either by driving or helping pay for gasoline. Trips are scheduled to end by 5 p.m.
February hikes are:
Sunday at 1:30 p.m.: Indian Run Walk - an easy walk on a bridle path through meadows and woods near Blacksburg. Call SU CLAUSON-WICKER at 552-6331 for more information.
Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m.: Bald Knob - a trip from Mountain Lake Hotel to rocky overlooks at the highest elevation in the area (4,363 feet). Call MICHAEL BEAGHEN at 552-0872 for more information.
Feb. 19 at 1:30 p.m.: Bottom Creek - a journey to the second-longest waterfall in Virginia on Nature Conservancy land. Call DON MICHELSEN at 951-1484 for more information.
Feb. 25 at 9 a.m.: Dragons Tooth - a hike and climb from the south to this well-known spot on the Appalachian Trail. Hikers should pack a lunch. Call BARRY ANDERSON at 639-1018 for more information.
ROUNDBALL ROUNDUP:The Warriors have taken control in the Pulaski Girls 15-and-under League, but there's a tight battle for the top spot in the Girls 11-and-under League.
As the season neared the halfway point, the Warriors (5-0) won an important showdown with the second-place Hornets (3-3), 55-32, in the GIrls 15-and-under League.
Returning league MVP MELISSA BLEVINS has picked right up where she left off for the Warriors. She leads the league in scoring at 19.4 ppg. Against the Hornets, Blevins scored 30 points - just one shy of the league record.
MANDY MOORE (12) and LEANNA BLEVINS (8) sparked the Warriors' inside game.
The Hornets got 17 points from TRACY STOWERS and 12 from LEE WILLIAMS.
Meanwhile, in the Girls 11-and-under League, three teams have suffered just one loss - the Lady Braves (4-1), the Terminators (3-1), and the Raiders (3-1).
In head-to-head battles, the Terminators jumped out to an eight-point lead and held on to beat the Lady Braves, 23-20. LINDSEY RATCLIFF led the Terminators with 15 points.
The Lady Braves knocked the Raiders from the unbeaten ranks, 30-26, as SABRINA RADCLIFFE and RIKA MCKINNEY each scored 10 points.
The Terminators' lone loss came from Big Blue (3-2), 21-19 behind 18 points from JUDY LAWSON.
ERIN JOHNSTON of the Raiders leads the league in scoring at 16.8 ppg.
Sue's Gang stayed in front in the Blacksburg Women's League. SHANNON WILKEY scored 18 point to lead Sue's (3-0) past Leigh Ann's Bunch 41-24.
After two weeks, only two teams are unbeaten in the Blacksburg Men's A League. In a battle of firsts, First National Bank (2-0) downed First Baptist 75-37 as RICKY PEOPLES scored 18 points. The Hoopsters (2-0) also stayed perfect, getting 24 points from CHIP WALTON to top Kroger 91-49.
Walton leads the league in scoring at 25.5 ppg, just a half-point ahead of PIERRE PEOPLES of Hardees, who is at 25 ppg.
Travel Squad stayed atop the Blacksburg Men's B League with a 79-28 win over the Eagles. MARC WALLACE led T-Squad (5-0) with 23 points.
In a battle for second place, Shelor's (4-1) edged Federal Mogul (3-2), 64-61. MIKE BURNOP hit a three-pointer with two seconds to lift Shelor's to the victory.
Wallace leads the league in scoring at 26.2 ppg. JEROME PRESTON of Shelor's is second at 23.4 ppg.
RACING AROUND: Preparations continue for trips to NASCAR Winston Cup races this spring through the Christiansburg Parks and Recreation Department.
The cost includes race ticket and transportation. People under 18 are allowed to register for the trips if accompanied by a paying adult.
The deadline for the trip to the Hanes 500 at Martinsville Speedway is Feb. 10. The race is April 23. The cost is $65.
Registration begins Feb. 6 and continues through March 10 for the trip to the First Union 400 at North Wilkesboro, N.C., on April 9. The cost is $50.
For more information, call ART PRICE, the director of Parks and Recreation, or CHUCK MUNCY, supervisor of athletics, at 382-2349.
SPORTS CLUBBING IT: The next two speakers at the Wednesday meetings of the Blacksburg Sports Club are Virginia Tech coaches BOBBY HUSSEY and JOHN BALLEIN.
Hussey, a men's basketball assistant, will talk to the club today about the season so far.
Ballein, a football assistant, will talk about the Hokies' recruiting effort this year.
The meetings begin at noon at the Custom Catering Center on Patrick Henry Drive in Blacksburg. A hot buffet luncheon is served for $6.50. A garden salad bar is available for $5. Payment can be made at the luncheon.
For more information, call DARREL CLOWES, club president, at 951-3011 or 231-8343.
RACQUET WITH A CAUSE: The Ninth Annual Leukemia Society Racquetball Tournament at Virginia Tech is Feb. 10-12.
In singles, there are Open, A, B, C and Novice divisions for men and women. In doubles, there are Open/A, B/C and Mixed divisions.
The entry fee is $15 for the first event, $10 for a second event. Mixed doubles is free as a third event.
Matches will be held at the War Memorial Hall at Virginia Tech. AARA rules will be followed. Match winners are required to referee the next available match.
The entry deadline is Feb. 6. Entries, payable to the Virginia Tech Racquetball Club, should be sent to ROB GORDON, 750 Hunters Mill Road, #9900J, Blacksburg, Va. 24060. For more information, call Gordon at 953-3830.
by CNB