Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 26 May 2000 — Page 18

Harrington and Northwest race towards state tourney

By JAMES M. KEOUGH JR. Sports Writer Talk about dominance. It is one thing to race ahead of the competition. It another thing to stay ahead of the competition. But it’s extraordinary to completely lose sight of the competition. The only race Northwest High School senior Kevin Harrington hasn't won in the last two years is the 100-yard dash race in which he was disqualified last season on his way to a state title. “We have the best sprinter on our team in the state of Indiana,” said Northwest High School athletic director Ron Lawson.

“No question about it. “He hasn’t been beaten in two years. Last year, he won the state in the 200 but was disqualified in a 100 meter heat of the regional.” And it appears Harrington’s dominance is infectious. Northwest High School won the Indianapolis Public School Athletic Conference Boys’ Meet (IPSAC) by outdistancing the competition. While Manual, Broad Ripple, Arlington and Arsenal Technical made it interesting by showcasing a few outstanding student athletes, it was the depth of Northwest that made the difference. Junior hurdler Lamar Chapman has emerged as an up-and-coming talent for

Northwest. He is emerging as one of the best in the city in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles. Sophomore Rodney Chapman is also beginning to excel in the 400 meters and high jump. In fact, according to Lawson he did an excellent job in the high jump and is moving on to the regional. He shows excellent potential for the future. However, Northwest’s success in track and field, at least this season, begins and ends with Harrington. “Kevin is definitely a class act. The thing that is great about him is that he is not cocky, but he is just very confident about what he does,” said Lawson. “He is also a good kid. He is a quiet kid. He just goes out and gets the job done. And he is very fast.” Apparently, Harrington has gotten the

attention of several Division I colleges and universities here in the Midwest. According to Lawson, Harrington will have several college choices once his SAT and ACT scores are in. “He wants to go to Indiana University, but Indiana State is after him. Purdue University is after him and Michigan State University wants him too,” said Lawson. The IPS grade policy has had a significant impact on athletics in virtually every IPS program. It seems that several track and field programs around the city particularly have been depleted based on ineligibility surrounding the policy. However, Lawson said the program at Northwest has also been hit, but not at all knocked out.

“Sure, the policy weeded out some kids, but this has happened at virtually every school. Ibelieve the policy was necessary, but it shouldn't apply to everyone,” said Lawson. Lawson believes the IPS grade policy could have an adverse impact on certain segments of the student population that rely on athletics as part of their development. “How about the kids in the special education classes. Many of these students are struggling, in many cases by no fault of their own, to achieve acceptable grades,” added Lawson. "In cases like this, I don’t think it's fair. The policy shouldn’t apply to every situation.”

RCA Dome to host IPS football triple-header

By FREDERICK L. MERKERSON III Staff Writer Thanks to the efforts of community organizations and one of the cities most popular athletes, Indianapolis Public Schools’ football players will play a regular season game in the RCA Dome for the first time in IPS history. Along with Indiana Black Expo and Indiana Sports Corp., Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has planned a fund-rais-ing event that will allow the IPS schools (Broad Ripple, Arlington, Northwest, Arsenal Technical and Emmerich Manual) along with Pike to compete in the inaugural PeyBack Classic. The triple header will pit Northwest against Broad Ripple, Arlington will play Manual, and Tech will face Pike in the dome on Aug. 26. Manning has said in the past that amateur sports are less about winning and more about learning. He said his experiences playing in the Louisiana Superdome as a high school student athlete have provided him with some of his greatest memories. Now he has helped bring high school football to the Colts’ playing domain — the RCA Dome. “It’s the greatest thing to happen for IPS in a long time,” says Ron Lawson, Northwest’s athletic director. “Many of these kids have dreams of playing professional football, but the reality is this is the closest many of them will get to fulfilling that dream.” Since IPS doesn’t play their championship game in the RCA Dome, theirplayers generally don't step on the most prominent turf in the state. Over 330 athletes will now have that chance. “Athletically, other than qualifying for the 2000 state championship, this will be the biggest event

NBA Notes

Walt Disney World Marathon The Arthritis Foundation is recruiting novice and seasoned athletes who share the common goal of participating in a world-re-nowned, nationally-ranked marathon or half-marathon at Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 7,2001, to help

for IPS football players, cheer leaders and their families,” said IPS athletic director Curt Ervin. “Other high schools throughout the state have been able to provide their students the atmosphere of having a football game downtown at the dome. With the help of Peyton, Indiana Sports Corp. and Indiana Black Expo, we can finally give our students this great opportunity and a day they will always remember," he added. Rev. Charles Williams, president of Indiana Black Expo, said that just as consequential as the entire dome experience and Manning’s interest in IPS. is the fact that capital is being put back into the school system. To pay for the cost of renting the dome, sponsors will hold a silent auction on June 25, at 7 p.m. at the Youthlinks Indiana Pathfinder Awards Banquet, which will also be held at the RCA Dome . The money raised through sponsorships and gate admissions at the classic will go to Manning's foundation for future youth activities and to IPS to aid in balancing the cost of athletic equipment and facilities for students. The PeyBack Foundation, established in 1999 by the Colts’ quarterback, promotes future success of disadvantaged teens by assisting programs that provide leadership and growth opportunities for youth who are at risk. The game has generated plenty of excitement for everyone involved, but it is has not been deter- / mined if the classic will be an annual event as future conflict in schedules may occur between IPS schools and planned events at the RCA Dome. “This fall is the only guarantee, but I think everyone will enjoy and take advantage of this experience," said Ervin.

the nearly 43 million Americans with arthritis. Training will begin the week of July 17 and includes weekly group runs and training sessions. If you are interested in joining Indiana's training team, or would like more information, call Miste Baker at (317) 879-0321 or 800-783-2342.

Pacers’ time is now

By JAMES M. KEOUGH JR, jerseys. They had that look in their eye in Philly (PhilaSports Writer The sands of the NBA hourglass is running delphia 76ers) and they had it again tonight,” out for the team that is in the midst of its fifth said Pacers head coach Larry Bird after his 1 If the Indiana Pacers are going to fulfill trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. team pounded the Knicks into submission in championship goals and reach the pinnacle of Perhaps it’s time to play with a sense of game one on Tuesday, excellence in the National Basketball Associa- urgency? “ If we keep playing like we did tonight, I’m tion in the near future, based on their aging Well, with the painful sting of last year’s confident we will come out on top.” nucleus, the time is now. heartbreak to the New York Knicks embedded Right now, the Pacers are playing at the level For most of the Pacers current roster, few in their consciousness, it is not surprising the they will need to maintain if they plan to make find comfort in “We'll get them next year.” Pacers have stormed into this year’s war with their first trip to the NBA Finals. The Pacers For several, there probably won’t be a next the “eye of the tiger.” year, at least donning the Pacers blue and gold “This team is as focused as I have ever seen. See PACERS, Page B7