THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 2, 1995 TAG: 9506010194
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
SET IN 1980, the meet record in the girls 1,600 meter run is one of the oldest in the Eastern Region book.
But to Kempsville's Adrienne Parker and Kate Sullivan, who were toddlers at the time, the record-holder is no hazy figure from the past.
``It's coach,'' Parker said.
``Coach'' is Kendall Tata, the former Kempsville star, current Kempsville coach and mentor to the best Kempsville distance runners since, well, Kendall Tata.
At the Beach District meet two weeks ago, Parker won the 1,600 in 5:05, and Sullivan was second in 5:09, a one-two showing that Tata believes is unprecedented in district history.
``I've never heard of any other team that had two girls under 5:10,'' she said.
There's certainly been no team with two sophomores under 5:10. In many ways, Parker and Sullivan are just getting started.
Parker won the Eastern Region 1,600-meter title as a freshman last year, while splitting her time between softball and track.
Sullivan did the same, until an ankle injury ended her track season.
This year, Parker decided early to concentrate on track, and talked Sullivan into hanging up her softball glove as well.
So instead of chasing pitches, Sullivan has spent the spring chasing Parker.
``I've got the entire back of her completely memorized,'' Sullivan says.
Parker's back is getting closer all the time. Sullivan started the season running 6:09. She's trimmed a minute from her time trying to reel in Parker.
Sullivan's not alone in chasing Parker. The rest of the region has been after her as well. Parker won the Eastern Region 1,600-meter title last year, in 5:11, and successfully defended her title Saturday, winning in 5:07.6.
Tata's Eastern Region meet record is 5:04.2. Her school record is 4:57.
Breaking the record ``is something we talk about all the time,'' Tata said.
Parker might have had a shot at Tata's regional record Saturday had she not been cut off in the first turn, and nearly tripped by another runner.
Parker and/or Sullivan may erase Tata's records before they graduate from Kempsville, which would be fine with Tata.
``It's more important that they continue to compete, and continue to love track,'' Tata said.
SALEM STAR: Sherlane Armstrong was expected to with the triple jump at Saturday's Eastern Region meet, but the Salem senior surprised with her showings in the 100 (second) and 200 meters (third), helping Salem to a third place finish.
``I always have a problem getting out of the blocks,'' Armstrong said.
Armstrong got out well Saturday, however, finishing the 100 in 12.57 and the 200 in 25.47.
Armstrong was also fourth in the long jump. She had hoped to break 40 feet in her specialty, the triple jump, but had a head wind pushing her back.
Armstrong has one more chance to reach 40 feet, a mark she's been angling for all year.
``She's led this team,'' coach Shrecee Purham said. ``I'm going to be totally crushed when she leaves.''
TWO IN A ROW: Green Run's run 4x100 relay team will be running for its second straight state title Saturday at Todd Stadium.
The Stallions warmed up by winning the Eastern Region meet in 41.9, three-tenths of a second faster than second-place Western Branch.
The regional champion team featured Sevend Mason on the third leg, in place of Plaxico Burress, who ran third at the district meet. The other legs - Glenwood Ferbee on lead off, Will Brooks second and Cedric Warren anchoring - remained the same.
``That's out best team,'' Warren said. ``Coach didn't run us together at districts because he wanted to spread the points around.''
Ferebee and Warren are holdovers from last year's state championship quartet, which also featured Spencer Tracy and Donald Samuels. With a little fine tuning, Warren said this group can win a state title as well.
They'll find out Saturday. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by PAUL AIKEN
Kempsville teammates Kate Sullivan, left, and Adrienne Parker are
greeted by Western Branch's Meredith Turnage after the running of
the 1,600 meters Saturday in the Eastern Region meet. Parker
successfully defended her region title in 5:07.6 with Turnage third
and Sullivan fourth.
Green Run's Sevend Mason, left, prepares to pass the baton to
teammate Cedric Warren, the anchorman on the team's 400-meter relay.
The Stallions, seen here dueling Western Branch's Darren Walton and
Dre Bly, won the event and will vie for a second consecutive state
title.
by CNB