With a grandfather named Tarzan and a family tree of muscular athletes, no wonder Christianna Moss is power personified.

The 17-year-old junior already holds Patrick Henry High's discus and shot put records and is a Central Region contender in both events.

Only 5-3 and generally the shortest girl in the throwing competitions, she sailed the discus 133-8 last week to win the Southern Classic against an elite, state-wide field at Sports Backers Stadium.

"Christianna is very strong and also a hard worker," Patrick Henry coach Scott Brown said. "She's going to keep throwing farther and farther."

Moss won the Colonial District discus title as a freshman (112-2½) and sophomore (120-2) and captured the district indoor shot crown (32-8) this past winter. She made it three district titles in a row Wednesday with a 111-2 effort.

Don't forget B.J.: Moss shares in-house honors with twin brother, B.J., who ranks with the district's top sprinters and long jumpers and is a defensive back in football.

The Moss family has ties to Highland Springs High. Bartholomew Moss, the twins' father, starred in football and wrestling with the Springers and was the region runner-up in the discus as a junior.

"Bart's was as tough an athlete as I've ever coached," Highland Springs activities director and former football/wrestling coach Rudy Ward. "He broke his leg wrestling his senior year, but he came back to place at regionals. He would have very likely won states if he hadn't been hurt."

Bart's three brothers, Percy, Orlando and Emmanuel, also played football. Emmanuel was an all-state running back and The Times-Dispatch football player of year in 1982.

Grandfather Tarzan Moss is a former baseball standout from North Carolina.

"Yes, my real name is Tarzan - has been for 74 years," he said with a laugh from his home in eastern Henrico.

All-around girl: Christianna, who will be a senior class officer, is a member of the National Honor Society. Her classes include precalculus, environmental science and a pharmacy tech course.

"I'd like to win a scholarship and compete at a Division I school," she said. "And right now, I'm learning toward pharmacy as a major."

Big night: Moss was seeded fifth, out of nine discus competitors, at the Southern Classic. She launched her personal-record 133-8 on her fifth of six efforts - into a chilly 20 mph north wind.

"I was worried about the wind at first, and I thought it turned over my first couple throws," she said. "I tried not to let it bother me."

There's no time to relax. Coming up are the Central Region (May 21-22 at Sports Backers) and state (May 30-31 in Newport News) meets.

"I just hope to keep winning," she said, "and to keep setting personal records."