THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 29, 1996 TAG: 9603270143
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY KEITH POMPEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 120 lines
THE GREAT BRIDGE boys track team hasn't won a regular-season track meet for the past two seasons, but don't let that fool you.
The Wildcats are the two-time defending Southeastern District meet champions.
``The most important thing is preparing for the big meets and the district, regional and state level,'' Great Bridge coach Steve Sawyer said.
Despite losing Melvin Bates and Mike Donnelly, the Wildcats are picked to win another district title this year.
Bates, who finished second in the 400 meters at last year's state meet, is a freshman at Norfolk State. Donnelly, a standout distance runner, transferred to W.T. Woodson in Fairfax.
The team still has seniors Jason Buckley, Eric Adams and Tobias Nolen and junior Brian Hunter. With a time of 1:55, Buckley is one of the state's top 800-meter men. Adams is the defending district champ at 3200 meters. Hunter took fourth in the state in the pole vault and third in the high jump. And Nolen is the Eastern Region indoor champ in the shot put.
In the Eastern District, Norview coach Alan Williams says his defending champion Pilots ``are the team to beat.''
Green Run coach Elisha ``Cadillac'' Harris saw his team win the 1995 Beach District championship, and he feels the Stallions can repeat.
Norfolk Academy returns 13 members from last year's TCIS championship team. And after coming off a solid indoor season, the Bulldogs could repeat as outdoor conference champions.
Here's a capsule look at the Southeastern District with each team's finish in last year's district meet:
GREAT BRIDGE
Coach: Steve Sawyer
1995 finish: First in district
Key performers: Buckley (Sr., 800); Hunter (Jr., pole vault, high jump, 400); Adams (Sr., 3200); Nolen (Sr., shot put).
Outlook: Success on the state level will depend on Buckley, Hunter, Adams and Nolen. But success on the district level depends upon the performance of the new athletes.
CHURCHLAND
Coach: Clarence Brown
1995 finish: Fifth in district
Key performers: Jamin Elliott (Jr., triple jump and long jump, high jump, 100 and 200); Robbie Williams (Jr., 3200); Keary Young (Sr., 400); Dion Langley (Sr., 100, long jump); Corey Torrence (Jr., 110 HH, 300 IH); Sheldon Barnes (Sr., shot put, discus); Kasim Barnes (Fr., 400, 800).
Outlook: Multi-event star Elliott is the Truckers' top returning letterman. Track & Field News ranked the junior sixth in the nation in the triple jump.
DEEP CREEK
Coach: Richard Cox
1995 finish: Third in district
Key performers: Angelo Sykes (Sr., 100, 200); Willie Hinton (Sr., 800, 400); Derrick Perkins (Sr., 800, 400); Kendall Watson (Sr., 100, 200); David Elliott (Jr., pole vault)
Outlook: The Hornets are very young and inexperienced but with hard work anything is possible. Cox said this year's middle distance group is the best he ever worked with. And his freshman class is the best in school history.
NORCOM
Coach: Robert Jackson
1995 finish: Fourth in district
Key performers: Michael Ponds (Sr., triple jump); Darin Satterwhite (Jr., 100, 200); Anthony Hawkins (Sr., 400); William Stanley (Jr., shot put, discus); Arkurie Williams (Jr., 100 HH, 300 IH); Demario Hurdles (So., 400); Darius Mason (Jr., 800); George Davis (Sr., shot put, discus); Gerod Ruffin (Sr., 400); Carl McCroy (Sr., 100, 200).
Outlook: The Greyhounds should be strong in the middle distance. Experience from indoor track should carry over to outdoor. Williams should be a contender in the 300 meter hurdles.
INDIAN RIVER
Coach: Freddie Spellman
1995 finish: Seventh in district
Key performers: Willie Griffin (So., 100, 200); Kenny Bly (Fr., 110 HH, 300 IH and 400); Bryant Hall (Fr., 110 HH, 300 IH and 400); Michael Hayes (So., 1600 and 3200); Jesse Grant (Jr., 100, 200, long jump and triple jump)
Outlook: The Braves are very young and inexperienced. Their goal this season is to build a foundation for the future.
OSCAR SMITH
Coach: Matthew Puryear
1995 finish: Sixth in district
Key performers: Antonio Wilson (Jr., 400); Evan Guyton (Jr., 800); Thywanston Swain (Jr., shot put and discus); Rodney Worsely (Sr., 100, 200 and 400); Byron Harvin (Sr., 110 HH and 300 IH).
Outlook: This should be an interesting year for the Tigers. Look for Wilson and Swain to stand out. The juniors had a good showing at the Group AAA state indoor meet. Swain took second in the shot and Wilson placed third in the 500.
WESTERN BRANCH
Coach: Wade Wilson
1995 finish: Second in district
Key performers: Malik Cook (100, 200); Clayton Porter (long jump, triple jump); Mustafa Cook (100, 200); Kenny Mosely (110 HH, 300 IH); Darren Walton (100, 200); Jason Parker (100, 200); Billy McGlaughan (1600, 3200).
Outlook: With a turnout of over 50 candidates, the Bruins should have some depth. Western Branch will be strong in the sprints, hurdles, long and triple jump, relays and hold its own in the distance events.
WILSON
Coach: Ken Dugan
1995 finish: Eighth in district
Key performers: Perez Bottoms (Sr., 800); Kenya Edwards (Sr., 1600); Stephen White (Sr., triple jump); Mike Porter (Sr., 1600, 3200); Stevie Veal (Jr., 100, 200); Ray Williams (Fr., 100, 200, long jump); David Pope (110 HH, 300 IH, long jump)
Outlook: The Presidents are made up of mostly underclassmen with little or no experience. However, several members have the potential of qualifying for the state meet. ILLUSTRATION: SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT BOYS TRACK
Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Jamin Elliott is a multi-event track star at Churchland High. Track
& Field News ranked the junior sixth in the nation in the triple
jump.
by CNB