Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 30, 1994 TAG: 9411300030
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
So it seemed fitting the team should capture its first tournament championship in the first Roanoke Fall Classic Soccer Tournament.
DREW CONNER and SETH ENGEBRITSON led the Rovers to the victory. Conner scored the only goal in a shootout between New River and the Richmond Strikers after the match finished tied 1-1. Goalie Engebritson stopped all five Strikers' shots.
TYLER CORVIN scored in the second half off a pass from JUSTIN LAWSON to tie the match. Richmond had scored late in the first half.
In the semifinals, the Rovers shut out Williamsburg U10, 2-0. STEPHEN BONAFEDE put in the rebound of a shot by RYAN NAFF in the first half and WILL MATHEWS blasted home a pass from Conner in the second. JAKE CARVER and ELI SEVCIK-TIMBERG anchored the defense for New River.
In the preliminaries, New River downed the Richmond Spirit 1-0 and tied the Atlee Arsenal of Hanover County 1-1.
Against the Richmond Spirit, NEIL MUTISPAUGH took a corner kick from ANDY NIGRO, dribbled in the box and scored. ZACH PACE made several tackles to hold Richmond scoreless.
Against Atlee, Mutispaugh scored from 25 yards out to tie the match. The defense of AUSTIN ROSE and RYAN JOHNSON frustrated the Arsenal after its early goal.
LOCAL RUNNER MAKES GOOD: Former Christiansburg High runner BEVERLEY STEPP finished in the top 150 at the NAIA national cross country meet Nov. 19 in Kenosha, Wis.
Running for Bluefield, W.Va., State, Stepp covered the 5K course in 20 minutes, 17 seconds, coming in 147th in a field of about 420 runners.
"I thought it went well, it was my best time of the year," said Stepp, who became the first women's runner from Bluefield State to reach the national meet. "The competition was great. There were some really awesome runners there. I just ran as fast as I could."
Stepp is a business administration major, concentrating in marketing and management. She didn't plan to run after a high school career that saw her finish as the No. 3 runner for the always powerful Demons. But Stepp liked what she saw at Bluefield and liked the approach of coach JIM McGEHEE.
"Everything worked out and I got better as the season went along," said Stepp. "I didn't feel a whole lot of pressure. And I had fun doing it."
CYCLING SCHEDULE If you don't have anything to do on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve or any weekend during December, the New River Valley Bicycle Club has a ride for you.
A bicycle helmet is required for all rides. Lights are required for night rides. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult and have a waiver statement signed by a parent for each ride.
The club meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of every month in the community room of the Blacksburg Branch Library. The next meeting is Dec. 27.
The ride schedule for December is:
Saturday: Radcliffe River Ride, a 30-mile jaunt to the river. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Virginia Tech Chapel in Blacksburg. Call SCOTT RADCLIFFE at 552-7012 for more information.
Sunday: Dairy Farm Tour, a 25-mile trek through southern Montgomery County. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Christiansburg Armory. Call PAUL SMITH at 951-7825 for more information.
Dec. 10: Spanos Rides Again, a 40-mile trip to Shawsville and Elliston. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Tech Chapel. Call J.T. SPANOS at 951-4354 for more information.
Dec. 17 day: Crush Your Front Wheel at Claytor Lake, a 35-mile flat ride around the lake. Meet at noon at the Radford High School tennis courts. Call STEVE FELDMAN at 382-9125 for more information.
Dec. 17 night: Monthly Moonlight Madness Ride, a trip under the full moon to the Waffle House. Meet at 10:59:30 p.m. at the Ellett Valley Food Time. Call TIM MYERS at 951-5285 for more information.
Dec. 18: Luster's Gate Loop, an easy 15-mile ride on the newly improved roads in Ellett Valley. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Tech Chapel. Call PAUL SMITH at 951-7825 for more information.
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Social Ride, a leisurely ride for those who can find time in their busy schedules. The route will be decided by the riders. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Tech Chapel.
Dec. 30: A "True" Waffle Ride, a ride to the house of DOW SCOTT to get waffles without having to ride at night. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Tech Chapel. Call Scott at 552-4607 for more information or to RSVP.
Dec. 31: Wolf Creek Ride, a 40-mile journey to Rocky Gap and back. Meet at Wolf Creek Park in Narrows at 1 p.m. Call PAUL SMITH at 951-7825 for more information.
SWIMMING ALONG: One hundred miles is a long way to swim. Just ask PAUL SMEAL and TERESA MARTINEZ. The two became the first swimmers to reach that plateau in the Swim and Stay Fit program at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center.
Smeal and Martinez each received a T-shirt for their efforts.
The program operates on a yearly basis and is open to anyone over the age of 15. The cost is $5. Certificates are issued as swimmers complete each 10 miles. A lapel pin is given at 50 miles, a T-shirt at 100.
For more information, call BEVERLY BIANCUR, the aquatic supervisor at the center, at 961-1853.
HELP WANTED: The Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Department is seeking youth basketball coaches. Help is needed at all levels for programs at Auburn and Shawsville high schools. To volunteer or for more information, call TIM COONEY at 382-6978.
LITTLEST HIGHLANDERS: There is now a club for youngsters who like to root for Radford University women's basketball team.
Coach LUBY LICHONCZAK has announced the formation of the "Little Highlander Club," for youths ages 5-13. For a $10 fee, club members will receive a pass to all home women's basketball games, an RU basketball T-shirt, a pizza party with the team, basketball clinics, a membership card and other special benefits to be announced.
One parent or guardian accompanying the club member to games will also receive free admission, the other will get in for $2.
For more information about the club, call assistant women's basketball coach TRICIA CULLOP at 831-5123.
COMING SOON: Friday is the last day for teams to sign up for high school basketball in Christiansburg. The cost is $70 per team and players cannot be playing for the high school. For more information, call the recreation department at 382-2349.
Sunday at 1 p.m. is the Southwestern Virginia Bassmasters Casting Kids Competition in the food court of New River Valley Mall. The event is free and open to youths ages 7-14.
by CNB