jeffpatterson
03-04-2008, 09:13 PM
Bethel’s Bullard blazing up track
BY DAN MAHER, MARTY O’BRIEN and LYNN BURKE
Bethel’s Javell Bullard not only bettered his state-wide competitors in the 300- and 500-meter races at Saturday’s Group AAA state track championship in Fairfax, but his 1:04.10 clocking in the 500 gave him the nation’s fastest prep time in that event this indoor season.
Bullard already held the nation’s best time in the 300, after posting a time of 33.97 seconds at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Jan. 25. He won the state championship in a time of 34.59.
In winning the 500 on Saturday, Bullard held off Great Bridge sophomore Taylor Sykes, who ran a 1:04.11 to earn the nation’s second-fastest mark.
During the race, Bullard didn’t realize the blazing pace he and Sykes were setting.
“I was just focused. I didn’t know what was going on,” Bullard said. “My main point was I didn’t want to go out too fast. I just wanted a nice pace that wouldn’t use all my energy.”
Setting the national standard in the 500 couldn’t have been foreseen at the start of the season since Bullard emphasized that distance more as a training tool than a specialization.
Saturday’s state final was only the third time he had run the 500 this season and his winning time Saturday clipped more than two seconds off his previous best effort.
“Coach Eddie (Williams) wanted to cross train me for the 300 by running the 500,” Bullard said. “I did so well at CNU (Showcase meet), he thought that if I went for the 300 and 500 double we might have a chance for top three at states.”
The senior’s national prominence may bring other college suitors his way, but he is currently considering Norfolk State, George Mason, Radford, Texas Christian and Pittsburgh.
ALL-REGION BASKETBALL
Bay Rivers District Player of the Year Jen Falin of Bruton and Kelly Halverson of Poquoson have been selected to the All-Region I girls basketball first team. They are joined on the first team by Player of the Year Bilnita Armstead of James Monroe, Quaneva Avent of Greensville County and Gabriel Tyler of Greensville County.
Bay Rivers District standouts Page Turner of Poquoson, Addie Williams and Lafayette and Anita Ricks of Southampton made the second team. They are joined on the second team by Connie Lewis-Harrison of James Monroe and Shamanda Washington of Prince Edward County.
OFF TO RADFORD
Menchville’s Ellie Staples, a standout for the Monarchs’ field hockey team, will play at Radford next year. Her mother, Lori Staples, said her daughter will receive a partial scholarship.
Staples plays defense. Her club team, the Tidewater Flash, qualified to play in the National Indoor Championships in Virginia Beach this weekend. Last fall, she was named to the Peninsula District first team, the Eastern Region second team and was on the first team for the Daily Press All-Stars.
ADVANCE TICKETS
Bethel and Heritage will sell tickets in advance for the Group AAA state quarterfinal basketball games Thursday and Friday. Tickets are $7 each. Bethel will sell them from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Heritage tickets are on sale from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in athletic director Dwayne Peters’ office.
Heritage’s girls play W.T. Woodson at 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by Bethel’s boys against Langley at 4.
Also, Surry County’s boys will play its Group A Division 1 quarterfinal against Page County Saturday at 7 p.m. at Smithfield. Surry is selling tickets throughout the week at the school until the school office closes on Friday.
OFF TO COLLEGE
Three Surry County players will play football in college next year, and coach Ervin Jones said three more could wind up playing somewhere.
Linebacker Trent Porter already signed with Norfolk State. Jones said defensive back Jermaine Minerve will be a recruited walk-on at James Madison and Kenneth White will play at Randolph-Macon.
BY DAN MAHER, MARTY O’BRIEN and LYNN BURKE
Bethel’s Javell Bullard not only bettered his state-wide competitors in the 300- and 500-meter races at Saturday’s Group AAA state track championship in Fairfax, but his 1:04.10 clocking in the 500 gave him the nation’s fastest prep time in that event this indoor season.
Bullard already held the nation’s best time in the 300, after posting a time of 33.97 seconds at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Jan. 25. He won the state championship in a time of 34.59.
In winning the 500 on Saturday, Bullard held off Great Bridge sophomore Taylor Sykes, who ran a 1:04.11 to earn the nation’s second-fastest mark.
During the race, Bullard didn’t realize the blazing pace he and Sykes were setting.
“I was just focused. I didn’t know what was going on,” Bullard said. “My main point was I didn’t want to go out too fast. I just wanted a nice pace that wouldn’t use all my energy.”
Setting the national standard in the 500 couldn’t have been foreseen at the start of the season since Bullard emphasized that distance more as a training tool than a specialization.
Saturday’s state final was only the third time he had run the 500 this season and his winning time Saturday clipped more than two seconds off his previous best effort.
“Coach Eddie (Williams) wanted to cross train me for the 300 by running the 500,” Bullard said. “I did so well at CNU (Showcase meet), he thought that if I went for the 300 and 500 double we might have a chance for top three at states.”
The senior’s national prominence may bring other college suitors his way, but he is currently considering Norfolk State, George Mason, Radford, Texas Christian and Pittsburgh.
ALL-REGION BASKETBALL
Bay Rivers District Player of the Year Jen Falin of Bruton and Kelly Halverson of Poquoson have been selected to the All-Region I girls basketball first team. They are joined on the first team by Player of the Year Bilnita Armstead of James Monroe, Quaneva Avent of Greensville County and Gabriel Tyler of Greensville County.
Bay Rivers District standouts Page Turner of Poquoson, Addie Williams and Lafayette and Anita Ricks of Southampton made the second team. They are joined on the second team by Connie Lewis-Harrison of James Monroe and Shamanda Washington of Prince Edward County.
OFF TO RADFORD
Menchville’s Ellie Staples, a standout for the Monarchs’ field hockey team, will play at Radford next year. Her mother, Lori Staples, said her daughter will receive a partial scholarship.
Staples plays defense. Her club team, the Tidewater Flash, qualified to play in the National Indoor Championships in Virginia Beach this weekend. Last fall, she was named to the Peninsula District first team, the Eastern Region second team and was on the first team for the Daily Press All-Stars.
ADVANCE TICKETS
Bethel and Heritage will sell tickets in advance for the Group AAA state quarterfinal basketball games Thursday and Friday. Tickets are $7 each. Bethel will sell them from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Heritage tickets are on sale from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in athletic director Dwayne Peters’ office.
Heritage’s girls play W.T. Woodson at 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by Bethel’s boys against Langley at 4.
Also, Surry County’s boys will play its Group A Division 1 quarterfinal against Page County Saturday at 7 p.m. at Smithfield. Surry is selling tickets throughout the week at the school until the school office closes on Friday.
OFF TO COLLEGE
Three Surry County players will play football in college next year, and coach Ervin Jones said three more could wind up playing somewhere.
Linebacker Trent Porter already signed with Norfolk State. Jones said defensive back Jermaine Minerve will be a recruited walk-on at James Madison and Kenneth White will play at Randolph-Macon.