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Complete Forecast for  May 17 2008

By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer

LONGVIEW — Vanessa Aldridge appreciates being ahead, whether leading the pack on the track or thinking about a future destination.

Aldridge accelerated her way to a first-place finish in the 100-meter dash and second-place in the 200 at regionals, guaranteeing the sophomore phenom from Pine Tree a return trip to the UIL state track and field championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium on The University of Texas at Austin campus.

In the process, she reserved the chance to run at the place she hopes to soon attend a second straight May.

“My dream college has been the Longhorns since I moved out here” said Aldridge, who relocated to Longview from Phoenix two years ago. “I like their colors and they have a really good track team. I just want to be able to do that.”

After capturing bronze in the 100 at last year’s state meet while only a freshman, Aldridge doubled her entries. She competes on Friday in the 100 at 7:05 p.m. Less than two hours later she runs in the 200 at 8:25 p.m.

“She put pressure on herself to do well,” said Pine Tree coach Robin Herber, who called Aldridge more mature this year. “At regionals she said she was going to state in two events. She was very determined this year. She’s so explosive. To be down there as one of the eighth-fastest, that’s good in itself.”

As a ninth-grader, Aldridge admittedly battled nerves. Nevertheless, she hung tight in race that went down in history with Killeen’s Tiffany Townsend setting the Class 4A and state record in a time of 11.21.

“It was a lot of competition, a lot of people watching,” Aldridge said of last year’s experience. “It was a big stadium. I was calm at first and when I saw all the people fill the stadium it made me nervous.”

Leaving a mark in a memorable race assured Aldridge her day could be soon.

“That was great. I wanted to get first but afterward I was like ‘Hey, I got a medal as a freshman,’” she said. “That’s pretty good. Now it makes me want to get better so I can get the new record.”

One hurdle Aldridge appears to have cleared is anxiety. The pressure affects Aldridge now far less than a year ago, helping her finish in the top two of every 100 and 200 race this season.

“This Vanessa gets a better start,” she said, comparing herself to 2007. “I don’t recall getting nervous like I used to. I’m getting older, more confident.”

Shortly after moving to Texas, Aldridge advanced to the National Junior Olympics in the 100 and long jump as a member of the East Texas Track Club. She placed sixth in the long jump on the big stage in Baltimore.

On the East Texas radar, Aldridge holds the second-best mark in the 100 (11.96), 200 (24.87) and long jump (19 feet, 3? inches), another event she figures to have a chance at making state down the line.

“Seeing other competition elsewhere, and getting beat, it makes you realize other people want is as much as you,” said Aldridge, who last year earned the honor as Co-Underclassman of the Year on the Tyler Morning Telegraph All-East Texas Team. “You can’t be lolly-gagging around. You have to take it serious.”

In the 100, Aldridge holds the third-fastest qualifying time behind Houston Wheatley’s Dominique Duncan (11.79) and Fort Worth Dunbar’s Victoria Jordan (11.89). In the 200, she comes in sixth, with Fort Worth Dunbar’s Ashley Collier (23.71) and Duncan (23.88) leading the way with the lone two sub-24’s.

When talking about the upcoming race, Aldridge acted as if she already had been thinking of a plan.

“I have to stretch real good before I run the 100 and not rush and make sure I stay focused,” said Aldridge, who last year clocked an 11.93 at state to trail Townsend and Duncan. “As soon as I hear the gun I have to drive, drive and get out; don’t stand straight up, drive and pick up my speed.

“In the 200 I pretty much have to do the same. I want to sprint the curve and get to a whole other gear by the time I come out the curve.”

And try to beat everyone down the final line.

“I just need to do what I need to do,” she said, “and everything will be fine.”