THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603240218
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEITH POMPEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Peeking at Green Run's boys track and field team this indoor season, one might have wondered, where were its sprinters?
Of the three returners from last year's 400-meter relay team, only Sevend Mason ran indoors. Cedric Warren opted to take time off and decide which college to choose for football. And Plaxico Burress played basketball.
That was then.
The trio reunited Saturday and, along with Jerry Wilson, won the 4x100 in 43.04 seconds at the 53rd annual Hampton Relays at Hampton University.
``This win feels real good because we got a rep to uphold,'' Warren said. Green Run's 4X100 relay teams have won three of the last four state championships.
``We lost someone from last year's team. But by winning today we let our competition know that when you step on the track you better mean business.''
Hampton, which finished second at 43.19, was serious. The Crabbers had a 15-meter lead after a sloppy first exchange between Wilson and Burress.
But Burress kept his composure and closed the gap to 10 meters. And by the time Mason, the third leg, handed the baton to Warren, Hampton was in trouble. Warren finished hard and raised his hands in victory.
``The first leg doesn't have to be fast,'' Burress said. ``Our next three legs will get the job done.''
``Our job is to win states,'' said Warren, who also ran on Green Run's winning sprint relay team. ``There isn't a group of four faster guys in the state than us.''
While Green Run's boys 4x100 relay team had confidence, Maury's girls shuttle hurdle relay team was scared.
After Vida Reed missed the team bus, half-miler Jennifer Warren had to join Samaiyah Islam, Thomasena Snowdan and Christina Smash.
``I was nervous,'' Jennifer Warren said. ``I hadn't run the hurdles in a longtime. And as soon as I walked into the meet, it was the first call for the relay.''
The junior's nerves quickly wore off as the Commodores won with a time of 1:11.30.
Maury also won the 4x200 in 1:53.20.
The comeback performance of the day went to Indian River's Jessie Grant. The junior long jumper received a hairline fracture in his left foot three weeks ago and wasn't able to practice.
But the Southeastern District indoor champion didn't miss a beat, winning with a leap of 20-8.
``Coming into the meet I didn't think I was going to win,'' Grant said. ``I lost a little confidence since I hadn't practiced in a while.
``Then I became really confident after my first jump.''
In the girls field events, Great Bridge's Charndra Lewis and Kalish Brown had good showings.
Lewis won the discus (101-06) and took second in the shot put (36-09). Brown, a senior competing in her first track meet since the eighth grade, won the high jump (5-0).
But Great Bridge coach J.P. Banks saw the meet as only a warmup.
``This is really a takeoff meet,'' Banks said. ``We come here to look at our younger talent. It gives you a chance to see who has promise.''
Green Run swept the pole vault as Jason Gustofson took first place (12-0) and teammate James Marsh finished second (12-0). Third went to Green Run's Cody McNabb (10-6).
Melwood Waters of Norview finished second in the discus (123-10). ILLUSTRATION: Photo
L.TODD SPENCER
Green Run's Cedric Warren races out of the blocks Saturday to start
the Sprint Relay at the Hampton Relays.
by CNB