Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508310028
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Christiansburg cross country coach's boys team has won four of the last six Group AA titles and six straight New River District and Region III crowns.
Put quite simply, there is something heavenly about Blue Demons cross country.
``We've got a great winning tradition here at Christiansburg,'' Shelton said. ``Every team that comes along wants to continue the tradition. No one wants to be on the team that doesn't win the state title or do well.''
There isn't much chance that this will be an ill-fated team. Christiansburg returns 12 runners from last season's state championship squad.
Sophomore Matt Nolan will lead the Blue Demons' bid to repeat as state champions. As a freshman, Nolan finished fifth in the state after leading the championships at the one-mile mark.
``I asked Matt what he was thinking when he leading the race,`` Shelton said. ``I expected him to say something like, `I was trying to hold on.' But he just looked at me and said, `I was thinking about winning the race.' It was not the line of thinking I was expecting from a freshman.''
Shelton says he is also counting on three seniors to contribute once again to the team's success. Michael Lee, Justin Mosby and Robby Rakes each finished in the Top 20 in last season's state championships.
Here's a look at how the other local cross country teams shape up in 1995.
Blacksburg: The Indians return a strong team and will compete with Christiansburg for top honors in the New River District. Blacksburg finished second behind Christiansburg in both the district and regionals last season and placed third in the Group AA state meet.
``I feel like it will be between us and Christiansburg again this season,'' Blacksburg coach Jack Hencke said. ``Their top four runners may be a little stronger, but they are a little soft at the No. 5 slot ... but then again so are we. Whoever can find the best No. 5 man may have the edge.''
The Indians will be led by seniors Scott Shepherd and David Williams. Both runners placed in the Group AA top five finishers in 1994. Sophomore Matt Chisholm and senior Kevin Corbett round out the top four for Hencke's squad.
Floyd County:Coach Lee Wells has set some lofty goals for his cross country team in '95.
``Our goal this season is to win the state title,'' Wells said. ``After last season's success it wouldn't be fair for us to think otherwise.''
The Buffaloes finished Group A state runners-up last season to champion Woodstock Central. Floyd County returns eight varsity runners to this season's team.
Senior Ben Cooke will lead the way for Wells' powerful team. Cooke turned in a personal record time of 16:11 in finishing second at the Group A meet last season.
Giles:Giles is hopeful of improving on last season's fourth-place finish in the Three Rivers District.
``We are shooting to take the district this season,'' coach Stacy Ramsey said. ``We are still trying to get a full team together, but we are hopeful we can finish really well.''
Ramsey's top runner this season looks to be junior Michael Mertz, who was a competitor at the regional level in '94. Sophomore James Peters, a newcomer to the Giles program, is expected to make an impact this season.
Pulaski County: The Cougars have a new coach and a new outlook in '95. Scott Frye will take over for Lauren Hall as Pulaski's head coach this season and brings with him a confident attitude.
``My goal is to build the program here,'' Frye said. ``I think we can be competitive on a yearly basis.''
Senior Chad Hyder and junior Darryn Simmers return as the Cougars' best runners. Frye says he expects both will rank among the best runners in the Roanoke Valley District.
``Cave Spring and Franklin County always seem to have strong runners, but I think Chad and Darryn have the ability to be right there with them,`` Frye said.
Radford:Senior Steven Murphy and junior Mike Fisher represent Radford's best chance at capturing the Three Rivers District title.
Murphy was a state qualifier for the Bobcats in '94, finishing in the Top 10 in the district and 12th in the region. Fisher is a returning starter for Radford and should fill the No. 2 slot for coach Dan Britten.
``Murphy went all the way to the state meet last season and Fisher has the potential to compete in states this season,`` Britten said. ``Expect both runners to do well in the district.``
Shawsville: Coach Marvin Ballard's Shawnees are going to win the Three Rivers District the old fashioned way. They are going to rebuild and hope for success down the road.
``We have been going through a down cycle with kids who had other interests,'' Ballard said. ``Last season I cut two students that were into smoking. That showed me a lack of discipline on their parts.''
Ballard said that although his team is rebuilding in '95, it's being done with more committed athletes.
Senior Tim Donovan returns as the Shawnees' top runner. Donovan was an All-District performer in '94 and narrowly missed making the Group A state meet.
by CNB