THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 12, 1994 TAG: 9406120276
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940612 LENGTH: NEWPORT NEWS
What he got was a lonely four-minute run around Christopher Newport University's track.
{REST} He cruised to a win in the men's 1,500 meters on Saturday with a time of 4:14.4. Dave Kannewurf was second at 4:20.3.
``This was my first race of the summer,'' Doan said. ``I do a lot of road races just because there are more of them. I wanted to do this for a little change of pace.''
Doan never bargained on having the field - men and women combined - total seven runners. Because of the low number of entrys, the men and women ran most of the events together.
``I figured there would be at least 15 or 20 runners in this race,'' Doan said. ``We had a total of five out there. It is hard to even make that a time trial. It is really hard to get motivated when there is no one here.''
That seemed to be the case throughout the day. Most events had five to eight competitors. Once that was broken down into age groups, most runners managed a medal.
For at least one runner the small field gave a much needed boost to his confidence.
Tyrone Melvin hadn't competed in more than a year and he hadn't run the 400 since high school. Saturday, the Norfolk State University runner turned in a time of 52.09 to win the 400 in the men's 19-29 age group.
``I was a little scared,'' Melvin said. ``I was dreaming about running all last night. I told my father I was going to come out here and try to win it.''
Melvin had taken time off from track to concentrate on school, but never stopped running. His younger brothers Kevin and Kenny just graduated from Bethel High School and he spent the spring training with them.
Melvin, who has two years of eligibility remaining at Norfolk State, was converted to an 800 runner when he joined the Spartans.
``The 400 is my love. That was my best event in high school,'' Melvin said. ``But I'm not thinking about the past anymore. Now I'm just thinking about the future and being the best 400 runner that I can.''
by CNB