Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 23, 1995 TAG: 9502230049
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The Virginia Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association Invitational will take place Friday and Saturday at Radford University's Dedmon Center.
Though there are not enough swim teams in the state for the Virginia High School League to sanction the event as an official state championship, there will be 39 teams and more than 400 swimmers participating.
Despite the fact that Blacksburg and Pulaski are the only two New River Valley schools that field swim teams, there will be no shortage of local contestants.
Whit Hughston and Jacqui McGlaughlin, both appearing in their fourth VISCA Invitational, lead the Blacksburg team. In addition to participating in two relay events, Hughston will enter the 200-yard individual medley and the 500 freestyle. Hughston was third in last year's 500.
``Individually, I would like to finish in the top three in both events,'' said Hughston, who holds the school record in the 200 individual medley.
McGlaughlin could finish in the top eight in both of her individual events, the 50 and 100 freestyle, according to Blacksburg coach James Wolfle. In McGlaughlin's last meet, the Southwest Virginia Championships, she finished second in the 50 freestyle. In the team competitions, the Blacksburg boys finished second, and the girls came in third.
``As a team, I want our relays to do well, because that is an indicator of how well everybody has gelled,'' Wolfle said. ``Individually, I would like for everybody to swim faster than they have at any time this year.''
Leading the Pulaski County team will be freshman Graham Gravley, who will compete in the 200 and 500 freestyle events.
``I hope to make it to the top eight,'' Gravley said. ``Nobody knows how it will end up. I just hope to do my best.''
His coach said Gravley could finish better than eighth.
``I feel like he will be in the top three in the 500,'' said Pulaski coach Maggie Manning. ``That would be good for anyone, but particularly a freshman.''
Also expected to score points for the Cougars are Aaron Workman and Shawn Dunaway. Workman will swim the 50 and 100 freestyle, while Dunaway, who is making his first appearance in this event, will compete in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke.
``I went last year, and it was a lot of fun,'' Workman said. ``Hopefully, I will finish in the top eight.''
The Cougars also should threaten in the 200 medley relay, an event which Gravley, Workman and Dunaway will swim with Nick Altizer. Their team holds the Roanoke Valley District record in the event.
Manning will watch the girls' events with great interest. Her daughter, Karen Manning, will try to improve her ninth-place finish in last year's 500 freestyle.
The preliminaries will begin Friday at 11 a.m., and the finals will start Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The only event not held at the Dedmon Center will be the diving competition, which will take place at Virginia Tech's War Memorial Gymnasium. Admission is free.
by CNB