Tarpon's Dixon shrugs off bum knee

By JOEY KNIGHT
Published April 19, 2007

TAMPA - As recently as Tuesday, Shea Dixon still was navigating the hallways of Tarpon Springs High on crutches. On Wednesday, she navigated the rubberized track of Jefferson High on adrenaline.

A week after having her left knee drained due to a torn meniscus, the Spongers junior won the 100 meters, placed second in the long jump and ran the anchor leg for the third-place 4x100 relay at the Class 3A, District 9 meet.

The effort qualified Dixon for next week's Region 2 meet in Sarasota in all three events, should an MRI exam scheduled for Friday prove favorable. Dixon said her medical clearance to compete extended no further than Wednesday's meet.

Coach Jaime Adkins' prognosis: "She'll run anyway."

"Track is my life," said Dixon, who competed with a circular heat patch on the knee, kept in place by a bandage. "Even though I'm hurt I still go out there and give it my all. It's a passion."

Dixon's performance highlighted an otherwise lackluster showing by Pinellas County in the eight-school meet, won by the Plant boys and Hillsborough girls. The Spongers girls had the best local showing with a third-place finish 79 points.

Kailand Cosgrove (3,200 meters) and Maryah Finch (800) were Tarpon Springs' other individual winners. Dunedin senior Dee Charleston won the long jump with an effort of 17 feet, 4 inches - 7 inches farther than Dixon.

Joey Knight can be reached at jknight @sptimes.com or (813) 226-3350.

[Last modified April 19, 2007, 01:29:06]