It wasn't easy convincing Richardson's Cetarracca Rockwell that she was better suited to compete in the 800 meters than the 400. That convincing came about a year ago, when Rockwell ran a 2:13.74 to place second in the Class 5A Region II meet.

That was nearly six seconds better than her district meet time.

"That was when I realized I could be awesome in the 800," Rockwell said. "Before that, I always wanted to run the 400."

As is traditionally the case with good 800 runners, Rockwell, a junior, possesses that rare blend of speed and endurance. She followed up her 2:13.74 at the regional meet by running a 2:14.35 to place fifth in Class 5A at the state meet.

This season, rain caused the cancellation of several of Richardson's regular-season meets but Rockwell flashed the 800 form at the regional meet by running a personal best 2:13.39. She qualified for state again in the event, placing second to Harker Heights' Aliese Hyde, who won in 2:12.36.

At the state meet, she knows it may take her personal best to win.

"The 800 takes a whole bunch of stamina and then the last 200 is just speed and heart," she said. "I know it may take a 2:11 to win, but I'm going out to compete to get first place."

C. Anthony Mosser