Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 17, 1995 TAG: 9508170049
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Dominick Millner and Kathy Roberts left their respective marks on the Commonwealth Games of Virginia this summer. On Wednesday, they thanked the people who left marks on them.
Millner and Roberts, who between them set four Games records, were named Citgo National Congress State Games Athletes of the Year for the 1995 Commonwealth Games of Virginia.
As dominating as they were in their respective events - Millner in track and field, Roberts in powerlifting - there have been times when both athletes probably wondered if they could make it in sports.
Millner, who leaves Saturday for his sophomore year at the University of Florida, was ready to quit track as a sophomore at William Fleming High School until coach Rudy Dillard persuaded him otherwise. Roberts, the youngest of 10 children, grew up without a father in Alexandria.
``I was ready to throw it all away,'' said Millner, who had been discouraged by a poor performance during a cross country meet. ``Coach Dillard sat me down and talked to me. If it hadn't been for him, I'd be sitting home watching TV.''
During the Games, which drew a record 8,797 athletes, Millner set records in the long jump (25 feet, 7 inches) and the 200-meter dash (22.2 seconds) and won a gold medal in the 100 meters. Roberts set records in the women's open bench press (270 pounds) and the open combined record.
``I've heard a lot of excuses,'' said Roberts, who also works as a motivational speaker. ``I had faith in myself, and my mother [Vivian] had faith in me.
``Now, I go to schools, high schools, prisons, detention centers to help people believe in themselves.''
Both athletes are now eligible for national Athlete of the Year titles to be given in October.
by CNB