Spartan adds two events to repertoire

By BOB PUTNAM
Published March 8, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - For the past four months, Jazmyn Shorter has confined most of her sprinting to the fast break on Lakewood's girls basketball team.

She returned to the track three weeks ago and has resumed her role as the fastest girl in the county.

Shorter, the reigning Class 3A state champion in the 400 meters, is undefeated in her signature event.

And she's making it look easy.

At the Steak 'n Shake meet in Tampa, Shorter ran on a sore left ankle, but still won the 400 in 56.80 seconds. Her time was .45 seconds better than Orlando Oak Ridge's Odeika Bent, whom Shorter beat to win the state title last year.

"My biggest thing is trying to win the 400 again," Shorter said.

But this season, Shorter's ambitions have inflated to the point where doing well in one event is not enough.

She plans to run - and win - the 100 and 200 at the West Coast Invitational and Pinellas County Athletic Conference and district meets.

And she is off to a good start. Shorter swept all three events in a dual meet against Boca Ciega on Tuesday.

She understands competing in so many events will be a test of not just her physical gifts, but her mental focus.

That's why she plans to drop the 100 by the time she reaches regionals so she can concentrate on the 200 and 400.

"I want to place in the 200," said Shorter, who signed with Kentucky. "And if I win, that would be even better."

Bob Putnam can be reached at putnam@sptimes.com or 727 445-4169.

[Last modified March 8, 2007, 00:12:43]