ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 11, 1996 TAG: 9604110021
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Track and field at Christiansburg High may never be more glorious than it is right now.
This will be the last year for the New River District and the Blue Demons' membership in Group AA Region IV.
To that, the other members (save Blacksburg, which is joining Christiansburg in defecting to the Blue Ridge District and Region IV) may be saying a silent ``and good riddance.''
Christiansburg has won the region in boys track seven of the past nine years including the last six straight. It has also won its district every year but one since 1986.
Those enemies who are seeking good news from the Christiansburg camp are in for more disappointment.
``When our seniors were freshman, I was concerned about the numbers in the class,'' Christiansburg coach Randy Bailey said. ``Now I can say that I couldn't have handpicked a better group.''
The potential firepower may be without peer in the region and possibly beyond. Among those who will running or leaping their way toward the state meet are two-time all state long jumper Larry Carter; defending regional 400-meters champion Stephen Trail; 800 ace Michael Lee, who has a personal best of 2 minutes, 2 seconds; Robby Rakes, who has already toured the 800 at 2:05 this year; Timesland cross-country runner of the year Justin Mosby, who has run a 9:51 3,200; and Greg Turpin, who can run anything from the 800 to the 3,200.
``In terms of quality and depth, this is as good a class as we've had,'' Bailey said.
Other boys teams:
At Blacksburg, the Indians will try to challenge the Blue Demons with a team that is at its strongest in the middle and long distances.
David Williams, Scott Shepherd, Clay Schwabe and Kevin Corbert can all run the 1,600 and 3,200.
As for the sprints and middle distances, Coach Tommy Oliver will turn it over to Steven Hunt and Rodney Alwang in the 100, 200, and 400 relay. Mike Burroughs will challenge in the 400 and 800.
Roger Eakin shows promise in the shot put. Mars Mashburn will high jump.
Pulaski County is short in numbers. Eight are out for the team this spring.
The Cougars are well represented in the weight events with shot putter Matt Price and discus thrower Josh Jakupczyk. Another strong point will be the middle distances with Daryn Simmers, J.L. McKinney and David Fields.
Andy Kennedy will be running the 3,200.
At Radford, the Bobcats will battle in the tough Three Rivers District with a team strong on the field events and middle distances.
Eddie Waldron will be a multiple threat in the triple jump, and 300 hurdles and will also long jump and run on a highly promising 1,600 relay team that also includes Eliot Barton, Ben Fleisher and Tony Hash. Barton and Hash will also run the 400. Josh Benson and Stephen Murphy (the state champion wrestler) are available for the 800 and 1,600.
Giles has the team to beat in Region C.
Every athlete who scored as the Spartans won the region last year is back. Among the luminaries are point machine Kevin Slusser in the hurdles, jumps, shot, discus, and occasionally the relays; defending regional 800 champion Brian Lambert; weight men John King (discus), Jeremy Saunders, and Brandon Steele; Reggie Hoston in the sprints and jumps; sprinter Scott Sparks; and high jumpers and hurdlers Shane Bramblett and Michael Mertz.
More sprinting depth comes with Tony Workman and Shaun Vaught.
The Spartans will be a formidable foe for anybody.
Floyd County has the best distance runner in the region if not the state in Ben Cooke, who is looking for his second state title in the 1,600 to go with the one he already has in the bag this year in cross-country. If that is enough to keep Cooke busy, he can amuse himself by chasing his first 3,200 crown. He was state runner-up last year.
Others who can score for the Buffaloes include triple jumper Benjie Osborne, middle distance man Andrew Weeks, and 1,600 runner Aaron Ott. Osborne was third in the state last year, Weeks was seventh in the state in the 800 as was Ott in the 1,600.
Nick Wohn is ticketed for the sprints. Matt Bishop has looked good in the 300 hurdles as have Craig Reed in the high jump and sophomore Chris Mannon in the shot.
Narrows' biggest problem is shaking Joe Shipbaugh, Mike Perdue, Brian Blankenship and Robbie Stafford free from baseball practice long enough to work on their track skills. Each is a good enough athlete to contribute significantly in track.
Much is being counted on from weight throwing junior Chris Martin. Dalton Smith will be busy with the long jump, high jump, 100, and 400 relay.
Auburn will not fill a full team but it does have 10 who will compete as individuals.
The mainstays include Brian Wright, who was seventh in the state in the high jump, Kenny Wojciechowski in the shot and discus, and Chuck Nickerson in the hurdles.
Shawsville is short on numbers too, but according to its coach, Dwayne Gauck, the Shawnees are long on spirit and willingness to work.
Athletes to keep an eye on include Tim Donathon (800), Jeremy Flight (1,600 and 3,200), Brian Caswell (sprints); Jett Marrs (sprints); Darren Simmons (sprints); and Jeremy Clark (high jump).
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: RAY COX/Staff. Christiansburg boys track team (fromby CNBleft): Robby Rakes, Michael Lee, Justin Mosby, Larry Carter, Stephen
Trail and Greg Turpin. color.