NOTEBOOK: Fanning reaches 5000-meter final in Oregon

From staff reports
Published: July 4, 2008

Tasmin Fanning, a former standout at Western Albemarle High School, advanced to today’s finals in the 5,000-meter run in the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials. Fanning, a rising senior at Virginia Tech, finished in a time of 15:37.73 (11th place) in Monday night’s semifinals after holding down second place for most of her heat.
Kara Goucher posted the top time in the event, finishing in 15:32.22.
Fanning will earn the chance to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team in the final, which will be held at 11:55 tonight.
Fanning became an All-American in the 5,000 meters with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships this month.
She led Western Albemarle to three state cross country and track titles during her high school career.
All Stars take the field
The Virginia High School League Coaches’ Association All-Star games wrap up today, as football takes center stage at Darling Stadium in Hampton.
Local athletes on the East roster include Monticello’s all-state running back Takeem Hedgeman and offensive lineman Jake Miles.
Hedgeman, Central Virginia’s all-time career rushing leader, racked up 2,900 yards during his senior year to help the Mustangs capture the Group AA, Division 3 title. Hedgeman reached the end zone 51 times – a state record. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound speedster is headed to Norfolk State.
Miles, a 6-foot-3, 265-pounder, anchored a line that paved the way for Hedgeman. He was the team’s lone captain this season and was a two-way starter for the Mustangs. Miles will continue playing football at Wofford.
Fluvanna County’s Travis Marks joins the Monticello pair on the East squad. A 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive end, led the Flucos defense with 58 tackles (26 for loss), 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Marks plans to play football at Bridgewater in theh fall.
Monticello coach Brud Bicknell will serve as one of the East coaches, along with Louisa County’s Mark Fischer, whose team reached the state championship game in 2006.
Other area all stars suit up
On Tuesday, Nelson County’s Thomas Brown scored eight points, but the West basketball team rallied to beat the East, 92-90.
Brown, an all-state player, helped the Governors to their first Group A title this year. The 6-foot-2 versatile player is Nelson County’s all-time assists and points leader. Brown finished with over 1,700 points in his career. Joining Brown on the East squad was JacQuan Eldridge.
First-year Nelson County coach Brandon Garrett and Buckingham’s Brian Wilson were coaches for the East.
In the girls game, Waynesboro’s Devon Brown lifted the West to a 97-53 victory with a game-high 17 points. Brown, who will continue her career at Liberty, earned MVP honors.
Western Albemarle’s Laura Wilson, played for the East in its 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18) victory over the West All-Stars in Wednesday’s volleyball game.