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© St. Petersburg Times, published April 19, 2002
The decision was easy.
Despite qualifying for the Class A state weightlifting meet in DeLand, Crystal River throwers Matt Hinman and Robbie Thompson opted to compete in the Class 2A, District 7 track and field meet at Citrus. Both events are today.
"We had been doing (track) longer, and in weightlifting, we barely (qualified for state)," Thompson said.
The seniors each compete in the discus and shot put. Both are stronger in the latter.
Hinman was second in the Gulf Coast Conference in the shot put, and Thompson was third. Each hopes for their first state berth.
"They're the top two seeds in the district," Pirates coach Norris Lightsey said. "This is their last chance, so they're making a big push. They've been working real hard."
Getting past districts might not be tough, but advancing to state will be. Hinman's best shot is 49 feet, 9 inches. Thompson's best is 49-4. A throw of at least 50 feet usually is needed to qualify.
"We've gotten close," Hinman said. "It's been teasing us the whole time. I think we can do it."
Thompson is a three-time regional qualifier and a four-year letterwinner. Before his junior season, he convinced Hinman, a football teammate, to join the track squad. They've been friends and foes since.
"A lot of times we help each other," Thompson said. "We both know what we're doing. I'm glad I've got a friend out here."
Hinman wins some and Thompson wins some. But no matter who comes out on top, the other usually is close behind. "It's always neck and neck," Thompson said.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Seven Rivers Christian girls had a day to remember in Tuesday's Class A, District 7 meet in Orlando. The Warriors were fourth in the eight-team field with three events remaining, but won the 800 meters (Rachel Ebert), 1,600 (Taylor Cooke) and 4x400 relay (Cassidy Rash, Rachel Capra, Bethany Woods and Karissa Gandee) to finish with 119 points, two more than second-place Daytona Beach Father Lopez. Seven Rivers' 12-person roster consists only of athletes in grades 6-9. Ebert, a ninth-grader, won three events (800, discus, 4x800) and qualified for regionals in the 1,600 and long jump. Cooke, a seventh-grader, was first in the 1,600, 3,200 and 4x800. Freshman Alice Zeiss took the shot put title. Rash, a sixth-grader, was second in the 400. The Seven Rivers boys placed third. Senior Shawn Allen was first in the high jump and 4x400. Junior Chris Roth won the 100 and qualified for regionals in the 200, 4x400 and high jump.
PLUS TWO: Allen's list of pursuers has grown by two. Florida, Georgia and Georgia Tech began showing interest in Allen last month after he cleared 6-11. Now, Florida State and North Carolina have started to call. FSU, Georgia Tech and UF have invited Allen to take official visits. His first trip will come later this month when he visits FSU. Allen is a lifelong Seminoles fan. His father and brother played golf at FSU.
WHEN/WHERE: Today, 4 p.m., Citrus.
ADMISSION: $4.
TEAMS: Citrus, Crystal River, Dunnellon, Ocala West Port, Williston.
BOYS TO WATCH: Citrus -- Norman Bauer (discus), Mike Brown (high jump), C.J. Bryant (distance), Jamaal Galloway (triple jump, long jump), James Lopiccolo (distance), Tony Lyons (distance), Justin Macdonald (distance). Crystal River -- Chris Bunch (400), Matt Hinman (throws), Robbie Thompson (throws), George Neill (hurdles).
GIRLS TO WATCH: Citrus -- Katie Armstrong (discus), Danialle Coates (hurdles), Melissa Davis (hurdles), Myesha Hollis (jumps, sprints), Denise Jay (800), Amber Presnick (400), Katie Steelfox (pole vault). Crystal River -- Iesha Natteal (sprints), Lisandra Vazquez (pole vault).
UP NEXT: The first four individual place-winners or relay teams in each event advance to regionals.