Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 22, 1994 TAG: 9405220125
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A young Spartans team ended Brookville's two-year reign atop the team standings in the Region III meet Saturday, beating the Bees 63-57.
It was Salem's first regional girls' track championship since the school took the Group AAA Northwest Region title in 1978, the year the school opened its doors.
Salem has only three seniors, so the future looks bright for Tom Roth, the only girls' track coach in the school's history.
"We have a lot of young folks, and the middle school had a good year," Roth said. "I wouldn't say this is [the beginning of] a dynasty. I'd say girls' track is alive and well at Salem.
"I thought we'd do well, but I'm surprised to win. But our girls had a super day."
Salem's victory can be traced to the hurdles. Amy Pitts and Cynthia Lundstrum finished first and third, respectively, in the 100-meter hurdles. They finished 2-3 behind Rockbridge County's Jennifer Vest in the 300 hurdles.
Pitts and Lundstrum are juniors, and they have helped each other dominate the hurdles in Timesland.
"It helps for us to run together in practice," Pitts said. "Every day we run warmups and go against each, so I think that's brought our times down individually."
The 400 relay team of Shellie Johnson, Marilyn Huang, Shelva Clemons and Bekka Cobb was the other winner for the Spartans. Salem's Shannell Manning also placed in the 100 and 200 dashes.
Timesland had a pair of freshman triumphs - Northside's Emily Hollett in the girls' long jump and Staunton River's Brian Harlor in the boys' 3,200.
Hollett, a multi-event performer, set a school record with a jump of 17 feet, 3 1/2 inches to wipe out the mark set by Patti Fisher, who was one of Timesland's outstanding athletes.
Hollett has come a long way in a short time. She had a personal best of 14-8 two weeks ago, leaped 16-7 to win the Blue Ridge District last week and then came up with another big improvement Saturday.
"I never expected to do this in the region," said Hollett, who also placed in the high and triple jumps. "I've challenged myself. If I can go out and improve as much again next week as the last week, I can win the state."
James Wolfe, Northside's coach, had an explanation for the improvement.
"We finally got her to hit the board at the district," he said. "She won a couple of dual meets and jumped a foot in front of the board."
Harlor was second last week at the Seminole District meet behind Appomattox County's Stephen Totty. This week, he rallied on the last leg to win.
"I had a whole lot left. I was behind the whole time, but that's OK when it's windy like this," said the Golden Eagles runner. "That's the first time I've beaten him [Totty]."
The Northside boys' 400 relay team of Karim Thompson, Brian Powell, Shawn Sprouse and Donald Shovely also won. Other Timesland winners were from Rockbridge County as Jennifer Vest took the girls' 300 hurdles and Marty Early won the triple jump.
by CNB