Bulldog achieved her goals

By JAMAL THALJI

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 9, 2000

ZEPHYRHILLS -- Pam Moses has nothing to hide about her success.

She just sets a goal.

Then she does it.

How quaint. How simple. How effective.

This past year, she accomplished pretty much everything she wanted to.

She graduated June 2 as co-valedictorian of the Class of 2000 at Zephyrhills. As an honor student, she compiled a 4.369 grade point average. She applied to and was accepted by the University of Florida, where she will study zoology. She lettered in cheerleading.

But for the purposes of this sports page, it is Moses' track accomplishments that take center stage.

At this season's Class 2A state meet, Moses captured the silver medal in the 800 meters in 2 minutes, 21.17 seconds and took the bronze in the high jump with a 5-foot leap.

In a season where female athletes ruled the county track scene, Moses was one of the most impressive.

Which is why she is the Times Pasco County Female Track Athlete of the Year.

Bulldogs coach Robin Wilks, who resigned after the season, said Moses' work ethic shined in a season that found her near the top of the results in every event she entered.

Somehow, someway, Moses always ends up where she needs to be.

"It's because she consistently progresses to where she needs to be," Wilks said.

"Pam worked so hard throughout the season. Pam is one of those people who sets a goal in the beginning of the season, and she'll work until she reaches that goal or gets as close to that goal as she can."

For example, Moses wanted to go to state in two events, and she did. Moses wanted to place in those two events, and she did.

"Yeah, (the season was) all I expected it to be," Moses said. "My biggest goal was to go to state in the 800 and high jump because I had never been in the high jump before."

She could have left Gainesville with two state titles, too.

Moses led throughout the 800 but was overcome in the last few strides by Riviera Beach Suncoast's Dalia Clarke, who won by less than a second.

Moses could have won gold in the high jump, too, if she had matched her season high of 5-4.

But the high jump is the only regret she has.

She cannot find fault with her 800 performance. Indeed, she ran her best time ever to win the silver. Moses knew letting Clarke draft behind her during the race could cost her at the finish line, but she ran aggressively the whole way anyway.

"In the end, I had a feeling something like that would happen," she said. "As it happened, (when Clarke passed me), I told myself I won't give up. I just pushed myself.

"I don't think I could have done any better."

Moses' feelings about the end of the season are bittersweet, though, considering Wilks resigned as Zephyrhills' girls track and cross country coach. Wilks left because of lack of interest in the programs.

"I kind of feel sad that the kids at my school aren't more into track," Moses said. "And they're not motivated in all the sports at my school. I'm disappointed in the kids at my school.

"I kind of feel special and disappointed in a way that she's leaving after my season is over."

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.