THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140095
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
SOURCE: BY KEITH POMPEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Heading into the Beach District indoor track and field championships, Aprelle Watkins was considered a longshot in her events.
The Princess Anne sophomore was seeded ninth in the long jump and fourth in the triple jump. Salem's Maro Mitchell was seeded first in both events.
``Maro will win districts,'' said Salem coach Shrecee Purham before the meet. ``She knows what it takes to win.''
With a season-best triple jump of 36 feet, 1 inch coming into the district meet, Mitchell was nearly 2 feet better than the local competition. In addition to her four district victories, the Salem senior also won the prestigious East Coast Invitational in Princeton, N.J., and the Viking Relays in Richmond.
But Watkins scored upsets in both events, snapping Mitchell's six-meet unbeaten streak.
For her effort, Watkins was named The Virginian-Pilot's female Athlete of the Week.
``It feels real good to win because Maro has won a lot this season,'' said Watkins. ``It's time for somebody else to get the glory. So I'll try to continue winning.''
Princess Anne coach Fred Wilkinson agrees.
``This meet was an indication of how good Aprelle could be,'' Wilkinson said. ``I don't think she really realizes how good she is. She always acts so surprised when she does well. With a little maturity, she will understand that she can become one of the best.''
Last week's performance might be an indication of her maturity. Watkins came out of nowhere and outjumped her previous best by 2 feet in the both the long (16-8 1/4) and the triple jumps (34-8 3/4).
But after beating Mitchell, she wasn't satisfied. Watkins took fifth place in the 55-meter dash, giving her 22 of Princess Anne's 44 points.
``People like Aprelle don't come along every so often,'' said Wilkinson. ``Basically good athletes are born not made. Aprelle is an athlete that can do it all.''
But with the Eastern Regionals coming up Monday at Cox, will Watkins get overlooked again?
``I don't think so,'' said Watkins. ``I will get more respect now.
``Plus, Maro knows that I am as good as her.'' ILLUSTRATION: Aprelle Watkins
by CNB