num. T, Crm$ T (nmtm
Winston-Salem Prep's
Deonica Reid is an
eight-time state
champion.
Reid
from pageBl
high school career," said Reid, who ended
the year as No. 1 in the NC Runners Class
1-A state rankings in her three individual
events and the relay. "There are a lot of
athletes who don't get that opportunity.
Looking back on everything, I'd say that I
had a pretty good high school career."
Reid's output was a key element in the
Phoenix quest to secure its first team title
since bagging back-to-back champi
onships in 2008 and 2009. Prep tallied 64
points to win by eight points over second
place Community School of Davidson
County. Reid delivered 38 points with her
finishes, which accounted for 59 percent of
the team total.
"Being the 1-A team champion is a
great way to finish a career." she said.
"Even if we hadn't won, my feelings
wouldn't have changed any. I'd still be
happy regardless of the outcome. That's
because I know I did my part, and I know
my teammates did their part. We all had a
good day and that's all you can really ask
for."
First-year coach David Lindsay has
developed a deep appreciation for Reid's
ability to motivate and inspire by example
At this year's state meet, Lindsay had to
carry Reid to the trainer's tent when she
collapsed alter crossing the finish line in
the 200-meter dash.
"Deonica pretty much passed out (right
after the 200)," said Lindsay. "Even before
the race started, she knew she was going to
pass out. But she also knew that we needed
the points to help us win the team champi
onship. So, she just went out and won the
race that helped her team to win. Deonica
has so much heart and she's always done
everything that we've asked her to do."
In the weeks leading up to the regional
championships, which is the state qualifier,
Reid personally contacted every team
membeT and shared her expectations.
Reid's willingness to get vocal. Lindsay
explained, set a tone in practices that put
everyone in the right frame of mind to
compete to the best of their ability.
"1 didn't even have to talk to the team
(before regionals)," said Lindsay. "She
took care of it herself. Everybody under
stood what they needed to
do. We went out with a bang
and she had a lot to do with
that. Deonica is a natural
bom leader."
Reid, who has a 3.5
grade-point average, has
signed with Campbell
University. She's excited
about competing at the next
.level in the sprints and the
long jump
"We have new coaches
in the sprints and jumps, so
I'm really looking forward
to the next couple of years,
said Reid, who plans to have
a double major in Homeland
Security and Criminal Justice. "My senior
season of high school was the first time
that I began to get better with technique.
"I've learned how to build up my speed
comtng down the runway, how to approach
the board, and how to jump and get height
and distance. There's a lot of work for me
to do, but I feel like I'll get there with the
coaches I'll have in college."
As Reid gets ready to begin a new
chapter in her athletic career, she has fond
memories from her four years with the
Phoenix. What will she miss the most?
"My teammates," Reid answered. "No
matter what, we were always there for each
other. As team leader, I learned that it's
always helpful to have wmeone to tell you
that things are going to be all right, that
you can make it, that you can succeed.
There's nothing wrong with giving people
encouragement."
In addition to the sprints, Deonica Rtid will compete
in the long jump at Campbell University.
Lamont Wilson rekindled his passion for cycling in his
mid-30s. ?
Cyclist
from pa ft IS I
Wilson rediscovered
his passion for cycling.
He purchased another
bike and joined a group of
recreational Cyclists who
frequently went on 30
mile rides
During that time,
Wilson, who lives in High
Point, learned. all the
nuances of the sport and
eventually ventured into
competitive cycling as an
amateur. "When 1 first
started out. I had so much
trouble keeping up with
others." said Wilson. "But I
got a lot encouragement
from a lot of people who
kept telling me about my
potential. Lee Woodall
(veteran cyclist from
Lexington) has been a
mentor to me. He's pushed
me, encouraged me, and
motivated me."
Today, Wilson, 39,
competes for Team MS -
HerbaLife/Maui Jim of
Winston-Salem In the lat
est USA Cycling rankings.
Wilson is No. 8 in North
Carolina in his age group
(30-39) in Men's Category
3 Cnterium racing.
"I truly enjoy all the
challenges that cycling pro
vides." said Wilson, who
competed in the Winston -
Salem Cycling Classic last
weekend "Sure, there's
plenty of competition from
the other riders, but I'm
always competing against
myself, so I can measure
my level of improvement.
I've learned that when I do
well against me. I'm able to
hold my own against every
body else."
The cnteftum is a bike
race that's held on a short
course, which is typically
less than one mile long.
Races are usually conduct
ed on Wocked-off city
streets. In this evert, riders
complete multiple laps for
a specified period of time
The nature of Criterium
racing places a number of
demands on cyclists.
Because of the shortness of
the course and tight spaces,
the ability to handle the
bike in close quarters is
crucial in avoiding colli
sion and injury. Equally
important is the ability to
maintain top speed or close
to top speed while maneu
vering around sharp turns.
At last week's cycling
classic, Wilson raced
against 60 riders on a .7
mile course for 50 minutes
The course, which featured
tight turns and a punishing
stretch of incline, presented
its share of challenges.
"Cycling is a lot like
what I remember about
high school wrestling." said
Wilson. "As a wrestler, you
go all out for six minutes
It's no different in criterium
racing. You're thoroughly
tested from start to finish
"It's hard. Sometimes I
ask myself why I continue
to do this But the very next
week comes and I'm back
out there again. For me,
there are two mam goals:
finish each race without
getting lapped and finish
with the pack."
For those folks who
know little or nothing about
cycling, it's just as
demanding as other sports
such as running, swimming
and gymnastics.
Conditioning is crucial for
success and so is diet and
rest. During the season.
Wilson races two to three
times a month at various
venues in North Carolina
with an occasional visit to
South Carolina and
Virginia.
Now that Wilson has
fully reconnected with the
sport he fell in love with as
a youngster, he has no
plans to turn in his bike and
racing gear anytime soon.
"For me. racing goes
beyond recreation," he
explained. "You can't beat
the camaraderie.
Being a cyclist is like
being part of a community.
"Plus, it's a good way
to stay active and stay
healthy. I know several
cyclists who are in their
late '50s. So, 1 want to keep
doing this for as long as
I'm able."
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Wilson of High Point (middle) competed in the Winston-Salem Cycling Classic last weekend.
Cycling NCC
/rem pa ge W
across the country that will come to
Winston-Salem to tram
The center, which is a SO 1(c) (3) non
profit will begin a campaign in October to
generate approximately $5 million for ren
ovation of the training site, and ongoing
support Rauck said funding for the
Cycling Center is also being sought from
sources outside of the Winston-Salem area.
"Projections are that the building reno
vation will cost between $6 [million] and
$8 million."Rauck said. "The cost range is
partly dependent on whether the historic
tax credit will be available "
The historic tax CTedit makes it possi
ble to preserve and reuse old buildings at a
cheaper cost after taxes.
Rauck and other cycling enthusiast in
the area are also pursing additional
Olympic designation for the center to
become a Community Olympic
Development Program.
"Getting the CODP designation would
be a wonderful addition to the National
Cycling Center," Rauck said. "CODP cen-b
ters exist to look for young talent and tram
athletes who may later become
Olympians."
The announcement of the Cycling
Center couldn't have been made at a better
time.
Winston-Salem also was selected to
htxu the 2016 and 2017 Volkswagen USA
Cycling Professional Road & TT National
Championships
Rauck said Winston-Salem is well on
its way to becoming one of the nation's y,
best cities for cyclists.
"With the National Cycling Center and
next spring's world-class competitions.
Wms too-Salem will become the premier
cycling city in America," Rauck said.
TVi-City
from page HI
who has earned a full ride to Hampton
University, enjoys running for Tri-City
because it gives him a chance to focus
more on his individual events unlike track
practice at his high school. He feels like
practice and meets with Tri-City are more
exciting and competitive.
"Out here, it's all business"
Washington-Saunders said. "When I come
to Tri-City practice, I know that I have to
bring it every day."
According to first-year volunteer
Sandria Woods, children of all ages can get
something out of running for Tri-City. like
the value of hard work and discipline
"Track can be very humbling." Woods
said. "When you're out here running in 85
degree weather, it's easy to just give up or
quit. But when you learn to fight through
that pain is when you really find out how
strong you are."
Although it is her first year volunteer
ing, Woods' son Tazhae Woods has been
running for three years. Sandria Woods
said she has seen the difference in heT son
since he began running.
"He had a few issues in school, but
with the help of Tri-City and our coaches
and volunteers, I have seen a major
improvement in his behavior in school and
home"
On Saturday May, 23 Tri-City Relays
hosted the 12th Annual Johnson-Riley
Invitational at the High Point Spottspkx in
High Point Results from the meet can be
found at www.ptgrouponline.com
For more information on Tri-City
Relayi Track Club visit
wwwjricityrelays com
Ptato bf Mis Mixefle for foe Winston-Salem Chronicle
Young athletes practice their takeoff during a recent Trinity practice at WSSU.
Tri-City welcomes all children ages 5 to 18.