Giants split longtime coach’s final regular-season home meet

By Corine Gatti

Published: May 5, 2008

Mondays — no one likes them, and the Waynesboro track team was not exempt. Fatigue settled on the faces of runners as they battled the energy-draining sun during the Little Giants’ meet against Fluvanna.
Both teams had mixed expressions on their faces with the sun’s heavy rays hanging overhead. Many just sat in groups, or found shelter from the never ending abuse from the heat. The result form the afternoon were mixed for both squads.
Both Fluvanna and the Giants struggled on the track. The Little Giant girls dominating a anemic Flucos squad, 34-6, and the Little Giant boys fell 63-58. Waynesboro track and field coach Ed Driskill, hosted his the last regular-season home meet of his long career, knew that his team was feeling the affect of the season. Before the 4x400 relay, Driskill causally stopped by his bench where a few players were seated and cooling down from the last race.
“Have we recovered yet?” asked the veteran coach
They smiled, responded “Yes,” and scattered to get ready for the next race.
“It’s tough to come back after a weekend and play,” Driskill said. “We did good today, but we have to work more on our speed.”
Edward Ennis has been working on his splits and his speed. The junior finished second in the 800-meter at 2.17 and topped the 1,600-meter at 4.55.
“He has done a good job, he has been working really hard on his speed and his third lap,” Driskill said. “I think I am going to give him more conditioning by running the 4x400.”
“I just have worked hard to get better,” Ennis said. “But it feels good to do as well as I have today, it feels great to win.”
Giant Tim Brown finished first in the 200 meter and was frustrated after he finished second in the 100 meter and the triple jump. Teammate Will Walter won the triple and finished third in the long jump.
“I’m a little tired, you know, it’s Monday. I did alright, but it could be better,” Brown said.
Driskill was sympathetic with his players not only because of the season winding down, but the prize that is up for grabs next week when Waynesboro will host the Southern Valley District meet next Friday at 2 p.m.
“We are going to continue to work on our speed in order to get ready for the meet,” Driskill said.