THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 15, 1996 TAG: 9607150121
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 53 lines
For one glorious month this year, Chandra Sturrup was the holder of a title that few sprinters can ever hope to claim:
Fastest in the world.
Sure, it was just a paper title. And it lasted only until the U.S. Olympic Trials, when several runners eclipsed it.
But when Sturrup, a former Norfolk State star, ran 11.13 seconds in the 100 meters in California on May 21, no one in the world had run as fast in 1996.
Sturrup followed that performance by running a wind-aided mark of 11.09 at a meet in France. She's run just once since, due to a hamstring injury. But now she is healthy and primed to run in the Olympics, where she'll represent the Bahamas.
``I'm very high on Chandra,'' said Norfolk State coach Steve Riddick, who has been training Sturrup. ``They're going to have their hands full with her. Everybody else has pressure on them. She's going to be able to kick back and relax.''
Sturrup graduated from Norfolk State last year with a degree in business. Since then, when it comes to her track career, she's been all business.
``Training, training and more training,'' Sturrup said when asked what she'd been doing since she left Norfolk State.
The hard work has paid off. The 24-year-old Sturrup capped the indoor season by finishing fourth at the U.S. Indoor Championships. She moved outdoors and found herself on top of the world.
``That was a nice feeling,'' she said. ``It really did a lot for my confidence.''
Sturrup credits Riddick, who was once one of the world's best sprinters himself, for much of her success. Riddick has taught her tactics that have helped her become a better racer, she said.
``I've learned that you can't run 100 meters all out,'' Sturrup said. ``The main part is to have a good finish.''
At NSU, Sturrup was known for her blazing starts, not for her finishes. A less-than-stellar finish was rarely a problem, however.
``I was usually so far ahead, it didn't matter.''
Sturrup feasted on Division II competition. She holds the Division II records at both 100 (11.20) and 200 meters (22.95).
Sturrup will the run the 100 and 200 in Atlanta, and will also run a leg on the Bahamas' 400-meter relay team. Her best chance for a medal is in the 100.
``I really think Chandra can go under 11 seconds,'' Riddick said.
If she wants a medal, she'll have to. At the U.S. trials alone, five runners broke 11 seconds.
Sturrup knows what's ahead. She also knows that after her performances in May, she won't have the luxury of sneaking up on the field.
``Normally in the 100 meters, I'm the first person out of the blocks, and they have to catch me,'' Sturrup said.
Let them catch her, if they can. by CNB