MISSISSIPPI ST. DIPS INTO CAPE'S TRACK TALLENT

For 1998 Cape Central graduate Kristen Tallent, her running career all started when her dreams of playing high school basketball ended.

"Basketball was my first love," said a giggling Tallent. "I thought I was going to be a basketball star, but it just didn't work out.

"I guess I was a pretty good shooter, but I got cut my sophomore year so my parent's encouraged me to put my energies toward running."

Mom and dad knew what they were talking about.

Over the last two years, Tallent became the premier 400-meter runner in the area and Thursday accepted a track scholarship to Mississippi State University in Starkville.

"It was between Tulsa and Mississippi State," Tallent said of her collegiate choices. "I actually just decided today (Thursday) for sure. I just wanted to kind of get away for a while and its a little warmer down there, too. I'm not much for cold weather."

The competition she'll face in the Southeastern Conference was also appealing to Tallent.

"I've always wanted to run in the SEC because women's track is really the thing down there," Tallent said. "The SEC is very, very competitive. I think running against athletes of that ability will help me push myself that much harder to stay up there."

Although she mainly ran the 400 meters at Cape Central, Tallent will be doubling her running distance by specializing in the 800 meters at Mississippi State and also running cross country in the fall.

"(Mississippi State's) coach said since I have good 400 speed I should be able to move up to the 800," Tallent said.

Besides, Tallent ran a leg on Central's school-record 4x800 team that also placed seventh at the Class 4A state meet this year.

"I ran the 4x800 but I never really trained for the 800," said Tallent. "I think I'll be fine. I'm still going to have to keep up with the speed work. (Our) coach wants fast workouts."

Over her high school career, Tallent didn't have many problems providing fast times once she hit the track. After missing the cut in basketball her sophomore year, Tallent joined up with the track team for her first season and ran on the state-championship 4x400 team.

Last year as a junior, she helped the 4x400 team to a fourth-place state finish and took seventh individually in the 400 meters.

After winning the 4A sectional entering this year's state meet, Tallent was hoping to add another all-state medal to her collection. But some unforeseen adversity spoiled Tallent's plans.

"I dehydrated during my 400," Tallent said with a laugh. "I had high hopes, but I ended up with an IV."

Despite suffering through a few athletic disappointments in high school, Tallent is certainly setting her goals high -- both athletically and academically -- as she enters her first year of college. She plans to major in broadcasting and then attend law school. After school, she would like to be a sports agent or work for the government.

On the track, Tallent's set the lofty goal of becoming an All-American.

"I hope to get a good education first of all and then maximize my running ability," said Tallent. "I want to try to accomplish All-American (status) and hopefully I can make it to that level. I think it can be accomplished."