THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610250289
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 65 lines
Last spring, Hannah Gerloff suffered a stress fracture while finishing second in the 800 meters at the Southeastern District track meet. She ran in the Eastern Region meet the next weekend anyway.
Four weeks ago, she started feeling sick, but kept playing field hockey. Finally, exhausted and drained, Gerloff was dragged to the doctor's where she was diagnosed with mononucleosis. She missed one week of school.
This week, she is looking to return to the field as Hickory plays for a spot in the Southeastern District tournament.
Clearly, pushing forward is a way of life for the Hickory junior. Fortunately, she will receive a much-needed rest over the winter, courtesy of her mom. She has forced Gerloff to sit out the winter indoor track season to allow her body time to heal.
Gerloff went through that once before. After suffering the stress fracture, she spent six weeks in a cast then an additional two rehabilitating her ankle.
When she was healed, Gerloff finally had a chance to return to her favorite activity - running. Contrary to popular perception, Gerloff said running is anything but boring. However, she didn't mind the chance to do something that added a new twist to the routine. Field hockey became that something.
``It was something to do while running,'' Gerloff said. ``I know most people see running as boring, but I don't. Field hockey was running while doing something else as part of a team.''
It was also a chance to be a part of something special. Gerloff joined the sport in its debut season in Chesapeake.
``It was hard for everyone to learn how to play,'' Gerloff said. ``Ms. (coach Andrea) McCloud has played before, she started off teaching us the basics. Everyone had done other sports, so we knew basically how to play. It's something different. It's new and nobody's seen it before. Playing with that little stick and that little ball, it's pretty fun.''
Playing field hockey helped Gerloff form new friendships quickly. Hickory opened this year and Gerloff was rezoned from Great Bridge.
``It was tough at first, because most of my friends stayed at Great Bridge,'' she said. ``Now it's not hard, though. You found people you didn't know would be there. Everyone on the team is pretty close.''
The closeness developed over the summer when McCloud scheduled conditioning sessions with the players.
``We went about three times a week,'' Gerloff said. ``One Saturday, we all got together and went to the boardwalk to rollerblade.''
The jump on conditioning may have helped, but the Hawks were in the same position as everyone else when it came to finding a place to play and equipment.
The Hawks concentrated heavily on conditioning because they had to - their equipment arrived only two weeks before games atarted.
``We were just running,'' Gerloff said. ``For tryouts, we cut 13 or 14 people, then she had to just see who she thought would be able to play. After the first week, after we got the equipment, it was pretty easy to get the hang of it.''
But tough to face seasoned opponents Nansemond River and Lakeland. The Hawks opened against Lakeland, falling 2-0. Last week, they faced former state playoff contender Nansemond River. Gerloff missed the game because of the mono and the Hawks fell 6-0.
Gerloff views playing the top-flight opponents as a measuring stick for team progress.
``I think it's hard, but it also gives us competition and we can see where we stand,'' she said. ``It makes us work harder as a team. Nansemond River is really skilled. They always know what's going on and where they are.''
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY by CNB