THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 4, 1995 TAG: 9412310123
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
The Ocean Lakes track team discussed during the fall ways to get involved with the community.
Coach Tom Anderson threw several ideas at his athletes and was surprised at their response.
``They wanted to do everything we talked about,'' Anderson said. ``Even though we're a first-year school, we adopted the theme `New and Improved' because of the ideals we were going to use in track and in the rest of our lives.
``This group has really proven to be a great group of kids.''
The Dolphins proved it over the Christmas holidays.
Last week, 38 members of the team took toys and reading materials to six children who had to spend part of their holiday in Virginia Beach General Hospital.
``We had an abundance of toys and all kinds of stuff,'' Anderson said. ``We stayed with the kids for about 15 minutes and they really appreciated it, I think. It was a good thing for both sides.''
Anderson said that one of his athletes was emotionally moved by the sight of one youngster who had to stay in an oxygen tent.
``She felt so bad for him,'' Anderson said.
But the Dolphins weren't finished.
The team collected nearly 100 canned food items and took them to the Salvation Army in Norfolk.
``When the coaches and players all met, it was suggested to the kids that they were blessed because they were able to go to a nice school and compete in athletics,'' Anderson said. ``I think they all understood what that meant.
``Like I said, this is the kind of group a coach can only hope to have on a team. They're all just very good people.''
They say it is the season to give and share, and it sounds like the Ocean Lakes track team has taken the message to heart.
Some people are so fanatical about supporting their favorite athletic team, that they'll go to any length to prove it.
Bruce Barefoot - a diehard Raiders fan and owner of Footer's Sports Pub - recently lost his head when making a bet on his team's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Barefoot made a bet with Steelers fan Dennis Courtney on the matchup played several weeks ago - the loser would tend bar for several hours during Sunday afternoon football dressed as a woman.
Barefoot lost, of course, and donned ladies makeup and apparel for a recent Sunday afternoon work shift.
``Yes, this is my first time dressing as a woman,'' Barefoot laughed. ``But, hey, it wasn't bad.''
It might not have been bad, but it sure wasn't pretty.
The Virginia Beach Sports Club recently presented its annual fall sports awards during a regular Tuesday lunch meeting at the Pavilion - honoring eight of the Beach District's finest student athletes.
The awards were selected by the Virginia Beach Coaches Association and were presented by master of ceremonies Frank Ward.
Mike Pishioneri of Kempsville was named the outstanding football player; Kirsty Hale of state champion Cox was the top field hockey player; state champ golfer Matt Paulson of Cox won that honor; volleyball awards went to Cox's Forrest Carr for boys and First Colonial's Alijah Pittenger for girls; cross country awards went to Matt Morgan of Kellam for boys and Adrienne Parker of Kempsville for girls; and the tennis award went to First Colonial state champion Mily Kannarkat - the first freshman to ever win the state title.
Several players were accidentally left off the All-Beach District field hockey list provided by the coaches.
Salem's Angela Angeles and Melanie Reeves were honorable mention standouts.
Tallwood's Chrissy Mister, Maricel Eusebio and Erin O'Brien also were omitted. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LEE TOLLIVER
Former Princess Anne baseball standout Jimmy Howerin, left,
obviously approves of Bruce Barefoot's choice of clothing to pay off
a sports bet.
by CNB