THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 9, 1995 TAG: 9507070107
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
DONALD TURNER was busy during his senior year at Nansemond River. In the fall, the first team All-State defensive back helped lead the football team to the Group AA semifinals. In the winter, Turner was a member of the state champion basketball team. And in the spring he batted .340 and stole 27 bases for the Warrior baseball team.
``It was getting tiring,'' Turner admitted. ``I was ready to take a month off and get some rest at the end of the year.''
Turner's summer rest will be interrupted July 13 at 7:30 p.m. when he plays in the Virginia High School Coaches' Association football all-star game at Darling Stadium in Hampton.
Turner said he'll gladly take a break from his summer to play against Virginia's best football players.
``I've had a countdown to it everyday this summer,'' he said. ``I've been telling everybody in the neighborhood to come out to watch it.''
Don't think for a second that Turner will be out of shape for the game. His summer rest is different from others.
``I run and lift weights every Monday, Wednesday and Friday,'' said Turner, who is preparing to head to Hampton University in the fall. ``I'm working pretty hard (this summer).''
Turner's hard work has paid off in the past, according to Warrior baseball coach Phil Braswell.
``He is a phenomenal athlete,'' Braswell said of the Group AA football player of the year. ``There's no doubt he was the No. 1 athlete in the school.''
Braswell's belief was reinforced at the Nansemond River athletic banquet when Turner was given the Warrior Award, recognizing him as the school's best athlete.
``Before we announced it was him, the entire congregation shouted out his name,'' Braswell said.
``That was a big honor for me,'' Turner said. ``It was a reward for my hard work.''
Turner, who led the football team with 865 yards rushing, said he has been working hard the past few weeks in order to get ready for the state all-star game.
``I know I have to prove myself because I'll be going against bigger boys,'' said the 5-foot-9 Turner. ``But I've been going against guys taller than me all my life.''
Turner wants to prove himself, but he also want to enjoy being in the all-star game.
``I'm just going to go out there and play hard like any other game,'' he said. ``There won't be any pressure because I approach every game as fun.'' ILLUSTRATION: Donald Turner will play at Darling Stadium in Hampton on July
13.
by CNB