THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110495
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 59 lines
For Maury's Peter Herbert, one close shave before the Eastern District swimming championships helped him avoid another close shave in the 100-yard breast stroke.
Last season, Herbert shaved the hair off his arms and legs prior to the meet. He maintains it helped him win two events and swim on a winning relay team.
So Saturday, for the first time this season, Herbert again reached for his razor. It worked better than expected, as he participated in two winning relays, won the 100-yard butterfly and knocked six-tenths of a second off his own school record in winning the 100 breast stroke.
Herbert had clipped six-hundredths of a second off the previous school mark earlier this year. That record had stood for six years.
``Shaving helps a lot,'' the Commodores' sophomore said. ``You're just able to go faster.''
Herbert needed every edge he could get in the 100 breast to hold off Norview's Tony Langston. The two had traded victories all season in the event.
``I got out fast and led pretty much the whole way, but Tony was right there with me in the next lane,'' Herbert said. ``His head was about at my shoulder most of the time, until I pulled away right at the end.''
Herbert's performance, and that of sprint champion Evans Poston, helped the Commodores continue their impressive string of district championship victories. The Maury boys have won every year since 1980.
``Lake Taylor's a pretty big team,'' Herbert said. ``We weren't sure we were going to win.''
The Commodores couldn't maintain their winning ways at last year's inaugural Eastern Region meet, but Herbert vows this year will be different.
``In the 400 relay especially, we're shooting to place high enough to go to states,'' he said.
Better break out that shaving cream again. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Peter Herbert
ALSO STARRED:
Daniel Moore, Western Branch - Scored a reversal and a near-fall
in the final 11 seconds to upset second-ranked 112-pounder Brian
Childress of Great Bridge and help the Bruins gain a tie in the dual
match and claim their first Southeastern District title since 1990.
Jaime Irvine, Cox - A 13.6 points-per-game scorer going in, the
Falcons' junior guard hit eight three-pointers and tied this
season's Beach District single-game high by scoring 35 of his team's
46 points in a victory over Tallwood.
Phillip Watkins, Southampton - Scored a game-high 21 points and
went 10-for-10 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to
lead the Indians over Bruton, then ranked seventh in the state Group
AA poll.
Quez Smith, Salem - Won the long and triple jump events and tied
for third in the high jump during the Beach District indoor track
championships.