Parker Proves Too Hot To Handle At Metros

Fans at the Metro Conference Championships witnessed a battle for the ages between Daniel Parker of Boone and UGA signee Mike Swope of Winter Park. Through surges and unrelenting splits Parker couldn't seem to shake Swope throughout either the 1600 or the 3200 races; however, neither could Swope quite match up to the strength and endurance that Parker showed. The 1600 was a superb battle with Parker and Swope hitting splits of 61/63, 2:06/2:07, 3:18/3:20, and 4:19.94/4:21.95, respectively. But the real show was the 3200 meter race.

"I am excited and anxious about it," Swope told me crouched in the hall at Showalter Field during the interim between the 1600 and 3200, "I feel good..but a little drained after the 1600."

Any signs of being drained were not apparent once the race started as the pace went out fast and stayed that way the entire race. The two were solo from the get-go and never looked back as Parker hustled to a 4:36 first mile, with Swope less than three steps behind. Parker proceeded to clock laps of :72, :71, :71 but still felt the breathe on his neck from Swope who refused to let him go. But going into the final lap the Boone High School junior looked surprisingly relaxed and proved he had something left to fend off Swope who had nothing but victory on his mind. Parker closed with a 65 second final lap, one second faster than Swope could convince his legs to move. Final times put the two fourth and fifth in the state this season with times of 9:15.70 and 9:16.70.

"He's a great runner," Swope said about his opponent, "he has really taken his running to a new level, and he deserves all the credit in the world...but I'm still hoping to get him next week!"

Metro Conference score: Parker 4, Swope 0. The two will once again face off in the 3200m race next week at the 4A District 4 Championships.