The Cavalier daily :: Wednesday, April 25, 1973 :: University of Virginia Library

Powered by a rifle-quick
start that propelled him yards
ahead of the pack, Kent
Merritt blazed to a 9.3 100
yard dash victory yesterday in
the State Track Meet at
Lannigan Field.

The performance earned
one of the only two blue
ribbons won by Virginia,
whose 36 points was enough
for fourth place– 52 behind
overwhelming winner William
and Mary.

Following the Indians were
Norfolk State (67) whose
sprinters dominated the dash
events, and Virginia Tech,
whose last-minute rally in the
pole vault fell short at 64.

Merritt's time was
unprecedented in University
athletics. The former school
mark, 9.4 seconds, was set in
1908 by Olympian James
Rector and was then an
unofficial world record. The
third-year man's effort was also
the fastest 100 yards run in
state history.

"It was probably my start
that won it for me," said
Merritt, "and my second one
was so much better than my
first," referring to a poor start
that was nullified after another
runner jumped the starter's
gun.

"I was ahead from the
beginning but he (Norfolk
State's Steve Riddick) was
coming fast. I knew the finish
was going to be close so I
leaned forward at the line."

Although Riddick was
clocked at 9.4 by meet
officials, Merritt's winning
margin was almost
imperceptible to the unaided
eye. The two runners were
side by side in the final five lines.
Riddick unexplainably
remained upright while Merritt
bent to the wire, winning by the
width of his chest.

Not noticeably affected by
a toe injury incurred in last
week's Duke-Richmond
triangular meet, Merritt
explained his performance by
pointing to Riddick. "It's the
competition," he said. "It gets
my adrenalin flowing."

"This is an indication,"
Merritt added, "that I'm not
too far behind the world class
sprinters." His time qualifies
him for the NCAA nationals in
early June.

Virginia's other first place
was Tom Freshwater who
triple-jumped to 49'10", a
state meet record. The
first-year man from
Springfield, Va. leaped a foot
and a half farther than the old
mark, set in 1972 by Cavalier
Keith Witherspoon.

The afternoon was far from
roses for several Virginia track
stars. Co-captain Phil Meyer,
holder of most University
records for long distance
events, was unable to challenge
the early lead set by four
William and Mary three-milers
and finished a disappointing
sixth, 150 yards behind titlist
Bill Louv.

"It wasn't his tendonitis,"
said Meyer's coach Lou
Onesty, referring to the heel
injury that has bothered his
star throughout the season.
"The heat hampered his wind.
He hasn't been able to work
out in top condition for the
past couple of weeks."

Even Merritt had his
troubles. Sprinting against
Riddick again in the 220 yard
dash,—he suffered a poor
opening turn and trailed the
remainder of the race, finishing
fourth, .9 second behind
Riddick.

"I'm gonna get out of the
220," said Merritt afterwards.

All totaled,Virginia captured
15 medals, two firsts, one
second, four thirds, three
fourths and five fifths.
Champion William and Mary
took 24 including the top
position in seven events.