THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996 TAG: 9605220194
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: 68 lines
MOST HIGH SCHOOL athletes are lucky to get one or two shots at a state championship. But at this weekend's state track meet, Southampton senior Rodney Darden will compete in the high jump for the fourth straight year.
Darden, who hasn't place in three state meets, said he feels more confident this year.
``Most of the guys that beat me were juniors and seniors, so most of them will be gone,'' he said. ``I just want to try to get up on the podium this year and get a place. That's all I want.''
The state meet starts Saturday at James Madison University in Harrisonburg.
Darden's jump of 6-feet, 4-inches won him a Region I title at Christopher Newport University over teammate Rico Ivey, who jumped 6-2.
``I had a bad week at districts,'' Darden said. ``I knocked the bar down there and wanted to win (a region title).''
Ivey won the triple jump with a leap of 46-feet, 3-inches, which topped his season-best by almost five inches.
``I just decided I had to jump farther today,'' said Ivey, who also placed second in the long jump to Park View's Shawn Talley.
If you heard a sigh of relief fill the air after the region track meet, it came from the Lakeland boys.
``If we would've lost this, it would have been a job trying to get them ready for state,'' said coach Greg Rountree after the Cavaliers won their second straight region title, beating Poquoson by 13 points and Nansemond River by 25. ``Winning this helped us a whole lot.''
Lakeland, which finished fourth in the Bay Rivers District meet, rebounded with the help of LaRon Claude and Andy Franklin, who missed the district meet because of injuries. Claude, who turned an ankle and hadn't competed in two weeks, finished fifth in the 110-meter hurdles, while Franklin (ear infection) got sixth in the 1600 and 3200 runs.
Claude came up limping after the 110 hurdles and said he didn't want to ruin his chances of competing at the state meet. ``I just wanted to build my confidence back up,'' he said. ``Now I'm ready for states.''
The Lakeland boys also got the usual performances from sprinter Melvin Faulk and distance runner James Pruden. Faulk, after breaking two records at the district meet, won the 200 rather easily, but got a scare in the 100.
``Oh yeah, it was tight, too close for me,'' said Faulk, who beat Smithfield's Chris Parker by .13 seconds. ``It takes a while for me to build up speed, and I dug a hole for myself at the start. I knew the last 10 or 20 (meters) I really had to push.''
Pruden recorded career bests in the 800 (2:05.20 for third place) and 1600 (4:34.80 for second place).
``I just wanted to do what ever it takes for us to win region,'' Pruden said. ``When people get hurt, you've got to step up if you want to win.''
Claude and Franklin are expected to be at full strength for the state meet. Phoenix Long, the other injured Cavalier, pulled a hamstring and may go to the state meet as an alternate. The top six finishers in the region meet earned an invitation to JMU.
While the Bruton girls dominated, winning eight of 16 events, Lakeland and Nansemond River got glimpses of what the future looks like. Lakeland freshman Lateacia Manley took second place in the 100 and 300 hurdles behind Rhonda Ellis of Bruton. And the Nansemond River 400 relay team of Morita Neal, Shanta Hewitt, Laketa Mayfield and Demetria Beamon - all freshmen - won a region title. Beamon also placed second in the 200.
Warriors junior Monica Southall qualified for the state meet in three events. She was second in the long jump, third in the 100 and fourth in the triple jump. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Southampton senior Rodney Darden will compete in the high jump at
the state meet Saturday. by CNB