THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 10, 1996 TAG: 9605090197
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEITH POMPEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
SEVEND MASON KNOWS what people are saying.
He's going to choke at the state track meet.
``A lot of people are ruling me out,'' the Green Run sprinter said. ``They are saying I'll do the same thing that I did last year.''
That's because in 1995, he had one of the fastest times in the state in the 400 meters, but finished seventh at the state meet.
``I must have had a mental block or something,'' said Mason. ``For some reason, I just didn't perform well.''
He's certainly performed well this season.
Mason is ranked first in the area in the 200 (21.6) and 400 (49.2). He's also on the area's fastest 4x100 relay team. Last year Green Run, with Mason running a leg, won the state 4x100 title.
The Stallion senior is confident he'll win all three state titles on June 1 at Todd Stadium.
``Nobody is going to beat me,'' Mason said. ``This is my last chance. If I don't do it now, I'll never get a chance to win three state gold medals.''
According to former Newport News and Menchville coach Charlie Nuttycombe, winning three gold medals would be ``quite an accomplishment.''
``This has only been done in the boys competition three times since 1965,'' said Nuttycombe. ``He has his work cut out for him.
``I wonder if he's strong enough,'' to pull off the triple, since the 400 final is immediately after the 4x100 final.
But Western Branch coach Wade Williams, who saw world-class sprinters attempt this while he was a coach at Clemson, said anything is possible.
``If Mason's physically fit it can be done,'' Williams said. ``But I hope he isn't just popping off at the mouth. He better be working hard at practice.''
That's a given. The 6-foot, 180-pound Mason feels it is his work ethic that has separated him from his opponents this year.
Green Run coach Elisha ``Cadillac'' Harris has installed a special workout for Mason in preparation for the state meet.
During practice, Mason sprints 400 meters, takes a 10-second break and runs another 160 meters. He does this for six sets, with a two-minute rest in between.
``Doing these workouts, Sevend is in a position to dominate,'' Harris said. ``Unlike most sprinters, he's fast and he's strong. He has the speed to get out and the strength to maintain.''
After his performance in the Norfolk Invitational Relay, who's going to argue?
That day, Mason won the 400. Then with only a five-minute rest, he ran on Green Run's second-place 4x100. And one hour later, Mason won the 200.
``That performance showed that he can win all three (at the state meet),'' Harris said.
Now, we will just have to wait and see.
JAVELIN STANDOUT: First Colonial's Brian Kollar took third place in the high school boys javelin at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia on April 28.
His toss of 191 feet, 5 inches qualified the sophomore for the National Scholastic Championship at North Carolina State in June.
SPRINTING STAR: Bayside's Ebony Shelton can't relate to the term sophomore slump.
Shelton won the 100 (12.57) and took second to teammate Lashonda Cutchin in the 200 (25.44) at the Hampton Invitational last Saturday. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MIKE HEFFNER
Green Run High's Sevend Mason is ranked first in the area in the 200
meters (21.6) and 400 (49.2). He's also on the area's fastest 4x100
relay team. It won the state title last year.
by CNB