THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 9, 1995 TAG: 9506070199
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 103 lines
NORCOM TRACK COACH Joe Langston watched the throw that won the state discus championship for the Greyhounds' LeVar Bowers and called it ``the prettiest ugly throw I have ever seen.''
It came on Bowers' final attempt, soaring 160 feet, 8 inches, after he had failed to reach 150 in his earlier tries during the annual Group AAA state track meet at Todd Stadium Saturday.
``That was really one ugly throw,'' laughed Langston. ``It was on a line drive and it hit right on the line, barely inbounds.
``I was scared to look and scared not to look. But I think I was feeling more pressure than LeVar. I was the one who was worried. He wasn't worried at all.''
Bowers had predicted his victory a day earlier.
When Deep Creek's Deon Dyer heaved the shot for a winning distance of 57-feet, 1 1/2-inches, somebody said, ``well, at least we're (Eastern Region) going to have one state champion.''
Responded Bowers: ``That's not the only one we're going to have. We're going to have another tomorrow.''
The confident Bowers, a 6-4, 235-pounder, overcame a frustrating start on Saturday to fulfill his promise.
Upon his arrival for certification, he was told that he would be unable to use his regular discus. It had a small dent from hitting a fence when he won the Southeastern District championship two weeks earlier. It was approved for use at the Eastern Region meet last week, where he registered another victory.
Finally, state officials relented and allowed Bowers to use the disc.
Then came another problem - a steady morning rain.
``My track shoes were too slick for the wet surface in the circle and I was slipping,'' Bowers said.
Bowers switched to tennis shoes.
Then, on his final toss, Bowers bettered a 160-3 by William Fleming's John St. Claire by five inches.
Dyer won on his next-to-last throw. He had complained about the heat (about 90 degrees) and being unable to keep his shot dry.
``I finally got it the way I wanted,'' said Dyer, a junior.
``It feels good to know that hard work pays off,'' he added.
A month ago, Deep Creek coach Richard Richard Cox wasn't sure if Dyer would even make it to the state meet.
Cox had no doubts about Dyer's ability - the 245-pounder won the state indoor title in February.
But the coach was wondering whether Dyer would stick with track long enough to compete for an outdoor title.
``I thought I might lose him,'' Cox said.
Dyer had been going nonstop since the start of football practice in August. The pressures of school and recruiting were getting to him, Cox said. And he also was wondering whether his time might be better spent preparing for football next fall.
Dyer stuck it out, however, and came off his two best performances of the year heading into the state meet. Two weeks ago, at the Southeastern District meet, Dyer unloaded a throw of 57-6, a personal best. He nearly duplicated it last week, winning the Eastern Region meet with a toss of 57-5 3/4.
His winning state throw was just inches less.
Cox said that there were rumblings that Dyer's throw at the district meet at Churchland may have been a fluke. The shot put throwing area at Churchland has been reconfigured and appears to slope downhill.
``I guess he made believers out of them,'' Cox said.
``The last month he's given us 100 percent,'' added Cox. ``He's really put his mind to it.''
In addition to the field events titles won by Bowers and Dyer, the Southeastern District had one other champion.
Western Branch's Tony Smith was the winner in the boys 300-meter hurdles, reeling off a 37.58 time. Churchland's Jarman Mayes was third at 38.20.
Smith was just 1.08 seconds off the 11-year-old record set by Patrick Mann of Gar-Field.
Smith stumbled over the third hurdle. ``Once I got back on stride I was fine,'' Smith said.
Three other Southeastern entries claimed runnerup laurels. Great Bridge's Melvin Bates had a 49.45 time in the 400-meter dash, barely losing to Shawn Ricks of Menchville (48.28). Churchland's Greg Boothe was second to 100-meter winner Ian Winston of Hayfield. Winston, the defending champ, had a 10.74 time. Boothe finished at 11:00. The Western Branch boys 1,600 relay unit placed second behind Hampton's title unit. Hampton had a 3:15.54 time and the Bruins finished at 3:18.20.
``There goes my undefeated season,'' said Boothe. ``But he's a great competitor and I knew I was in for a tough race.''
Norcom's Missy Banks placed third in the girls shot, also conducted between showers. Banks had a 38-2 toss despite an injured wrist.
Alease Tate of Gar-Field was the winner at 42-9 1/2.
``She favored the injury a little,'' said Norcom coach Vincent Pugh. ``But remember, she's only a sophomore and she's going to be a state champion, I assure you.'' MEMO: Contributing to this story was staff writer Ed Miller.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by PAUL AIKEN
Missy Banks of Norcom High School finished third in the shot put
competition. Banks had a 38-2 toss despite an injured wrist.
Western Branch's Tony Smith was the winner in the boys 300-meter
hurdles, reeling off a 37.58 time.
by CNB