SOUTH POINT – Porcha Ball has some work to do before she becomes a freshman at South Point High School.

Monday, July 30, 2001

SOUTH POINT – Porcha Ball has some work to do before she becomes a freshman at South Point High School.

The 14-year-old sprinter begins running today and continues through Aug. 4 in the American Athletic Union (AAU) nationals at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va.

Ball qualified in the AAU regional meet at the University of Louisville in the 100 and 200 meter dashes as well as on a 4×400 relay.

"I’m nervous," Ball said. "When I went to the regional I knew a little of the competition, but the nationals are a whole other thing."

Her 12.77 time in the 100 was good for a second place finish while her 26.89 time placed her fourth in the 200. The 400 relay ran a 4:26 time which was fourth best. The top four finishers advanced.

Ball set school records last spring in the 100 and 200 meter dashes at South Point Middle School.

She runs with the Capital City Strikes track club based in Charleston, W.Va.