THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996 TAG: 9603060135
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Notes on a frayed white cuff. . . .
Norcom girls track coach Vincent Pugh says Brandi Smith might be the hardest working athlete in the area.
``She participated in seven events in 10 days in two sports,'' said Pugh. ``And I don't mean, just participated. She excelled.''
On Monday, Feb. 12 Smith competed in every field event in the Southeastern District indoor track meet. She placed second in the long jump, second in the high jump and fourth in the shot.
That night she played all four quarters of a basketball game against Churchland. The next night Smith played basketball for the Greyhounds against Western Branch.
On Wednesday, Feb. 14 she won the triple jump in the district indoor track meet with a record 36-9 1/2 leap. She also ran a leg on the winning 800-meter relay team and a leg on the third-place 1,600-meter relay unit, helping Norcom win its first girls indoor track title.
On Feb. 19 Smith played basketball in the Southeastern District tournament against Western Branch. The next day she won the Eastern Regional triple jump and was third in the long jump.
On Wednesday, Feb. 21 Brandi ran the first leg on the Greyhounds' 800-meter relay team, which was third and had a national qualifying time of 1:45.3.
``Several colleges have shown interest in her as a triple jumper and as a muilti-event performer,'' said Pugh. ``She already has qualified for freshman eligibility with a 2.9 grade point average and 970 on her SAT.''
Larry Smith turned in an outstanding coaching job this year in steering his Portsmouth Christian team to the Metro Conference regular-season championship.
The Patriots went on to a runner-up finish in the Virginia Independent School Division II Championship, bowing to Carlisle in the final three seconds, 84-82.
Portsmouth Christian finished the year with the best record in school history - 26-4. Smith, who coached at Greenbrier Christian prior to taking over at Portsmouth Christian, has an overall coaching record of 165-85.
The Portsmouth Christian squad included four seniors but leading scorer Brian Rustay, the MVP in the Metro Conference, will be among seven returning players.
After Deep Creek lost to Menchville in the quarterfinals of the Eastern Region boys basketball tournament, Hornets coach Benny Polk predicted the Peninsula District championship team would win the regional.
``Menchville was the best team we played this year,'' said Polk.
If you want to be among the first to meet the Norfolk Tides, you can attend the ``Meet the Tides'' banquet held by the Tidewatchers Boosters Club on Wednesday, April 3.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children (aged 10 and under). The dinner will start at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Hits at the Park Restaurant in Harbor Park. Reservations must be made by Monday, March 25.
Melissa Suter, the Southeastern District's all-around gymnast champ, has her foot in a cast for three weeks after her recent injury.
The Deep Creek star naturally has a purple cast. Hornet purple.
The State Major Little League tournament has been awarded to Portsmouth this year.
It will be held at the Olive Branch complex July 26 through August 3.
No other state events in Little League will be here in 1996. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Larry Smith's team made history at Portsmouth Christian.
by CNB