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Photos by KYLE GREEN The Roanoke Times

Christiansburg's Chris Dobbins clears the last hurdle on his way to a victory in the 110 hurdles at the Region 4 District Championships on Saturday.

Chris Dobbins ran the 110 hurdles in 14.67. The time was the fastest time in Timesland this year and the third-best time among state Group AA competitors. It also broke the school record of 14.76.

Dobbins, who had already qualified for the region meet, was looking for a district title. But he got a little anxious and was disqualified for a false start.

"I was heartbroken when I false-started," said Dobbins, a Christiansburg junior. "I had the fastest time coming and coach had told me get a fast start. Guess I got out too quick."

His coach, Shane Guynn, had a different piece of advice during the regional meet.

"I told him he is the fastest one out there, just don't false start," Guynn said.

Well Dobbins didn't false start, and when he crossed the finish line, the clock read 14.67. The time was the fastest time in Timesland this year and the third-best time among state Group AA competitors. It also broke the school record of 14.76 set by Isaiah Morris.

"I really wasn't expecting to run that fast," Dobbins said. "I thought I could beat my time in the qualifying round, but I really wasn't expecting that."

Dobbins' championship run along with the points he scored in the high jump, triple jump, long jump and 4x100 relay helped Christiansburg do something they haven't done since 1996: win a regional championship.

The Blue Demons captured the Region IV meet over county and district rival Blacksburg and now have their eyes set on the state meet, where they haven't captured a title since 1958.

"The state tournament meet is a wild card meet," Guynn said. "Some people rise to the occasion, while some crumble."

"Our goal is to be a top-five team this weekend. We have the potential to score some big points, but there are some good teams this year. It is an interesting game when you get up there."

The wild card for Christiansburg this weekend at Harrisonburg High School could be Dobbins and his ability in the five events he has entered.

Not too bad for an athlete using track to stay in shape for his first love: basketball.

"Basketball is what I have been doing my whole life," said Dobbins, who also played on the football team last year. "But if something comes my way in track, I might have to look into that -- but not yet. Right now I just want to continue to improve and get better next year."

Even his jump coach at Christiansburg, Von Lewis, knows basketball is in his mind and blood.

"If he wants to do track he can do track, but right now he is a basketball kid running track and using track to help basketball," Lewis said.

"But now with his track accomplishments he needs to think of himself as a track athlete as well."

The newfound success on the track has made Dobbins think about the sport a little more.

Lewis says he has already seen a difference, even though the coaches don't want to influence his sport of choice.

"His success, I hope it will and I think it will make a difference in how he works on things on the track," Lewis said. "Now he is starting to think about what part of the race is his weakest part and that is his starts.

Right now he is so fast he can make it up.

"We don't want him to put too much pressure on himself, so we haven't talked too much about his future in track. Right now we want him to go up there, relax and have fun. If he does what he needs to do, he'll be all right. His best race is ahead of him."

Dobbins is just excited to compete against the state's best.

"Nothing against my competition thus far, but what excites me about this weekend is running against people with faster times," Dobbins said. "Maybe that will help me have an all-state performance.

"It would mean the world to me to win just to see the hard work and dedication pay off in a moment like that, it would mean a lot."

But in the bigger picture, Dobbins wants his team to do well.

"We as a team need to stay focused and not let everything get to you, we need to just have fun and let everything come to us," Dobbins said.

"We have a pretty good squad and I think we can sneak up on some teams and place in the top five."