THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 18, 1997 TAG: 9702180086
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Athlete of the Week
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 45 lines
Friends who have seen Doug Casper dunk a basketball frequently comment on his great ``ups.''
His ``outs'' aren't bad, either.
Casper, a junior at Western Branch, long jumped a personal best of 23-3 last week to outduel state champ Jessie Grant of Indian River in the Southeastern District indoor meet.
Casper also ran the anchor leg on Western Branch's victorious 800-meter relay team and placed third in the 200 as the Bruins edged Deep Creek for first in the team competition.
Casper made up 10 yards on the relay leg.
``Something just got in me,'' he said. ``I refused to lose.''
As satisfying as that was, however, there was no question which was the bigger thrill for him.
``Winning the long jump,'' he said. ``I proved you can beat the best if you try.''
It's never quite that simple, of course, and Casper could only hold his breath as Grant took off on is last attempt.
Grant's leap would have measured more than 24 feet - if he hadn't scratched.
Western Branch coach Wade Williams says Casper has the potential to go 24 feet this spring.
``I only get him for 45 minutes to an hour a day before basketball practice,'' Williams said. ``He needs a good four to six weeks of solid jump conditioning.''
He'll start that as soon as basketball is over.
``I still have a lot to learn,'' he said. ``It's mostly natural now.''
As good as Casper is becoming in the long jump his best events outdoors could be the 100 and 200.
And don't be surprised if Casper surfaces next fall as a scholarship football candidate. He started two games at cornerback last year and intercepted one pass.
``Nothing he does surprises me,'' Williams said. ``He is a talent.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo