ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 17, 1996 TAG: 9605170025
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
A championship three-peat may be the ultimate sporting challenge. Capturing a championship back-to-back-to-back is a feat rarely achieved.
What then about an eight-peat? Sound impossible? In professional sports probably, but not for the Christiansburg High School boys' track team.
The Blue Demons won their ninth consecutive New River District title last weekend and will try for their eighth straight Region IV title Saturday at Tazewell High.
"I don't think it puts pressure on them," Christiansburg coach Randy Bailey said of the team's record. "I think it just creates a positive expectation that they want to do well, too."
Leading the way for Christiansburg will be Larry Carter, the two-time defending regional champion in the long jump, and Justin Mosby, a cross country standout who has already recorded a standout time of 9 minutes, 46 seconds in the 3,200 meters this spring.
Other Blue Demons to watch include Michael Lee and Robby Rakes in the 800, and Stephen Trail, the defending 400 regional champion.
"Stephen is a little bit knicked up right now," Bailey said. "I wouldn't even say he's the favorite. Chester Riggs from Lee County is an excellent athlete and specializes in the 400 and in the jumps."
Bailey said other area athletes to watch include Clay Schwabe, Scott Shepherd and David Williams, a trio of long-distance runners from Blacksburg. Indians' coach Tommy Oliver added high jumper Mars Mashburn and sprinter Steve Hunt to the list of contenders. Hunt is still recovering from an injured hamstring, as is Blacksburg's other standout sprinter, Rodney Alwang.
Graham's Milton Byard is the fastest sprinter in the region, and teammate Tony Easley is strong both in the shot put and discus events.
The Christiansburg girl's team is also the defending Region IV champion and expects to face a tough task in defending its title. The girls' team lost 10 seniors off a squad that finished 14-0 and captured the state title in 1995. Christiansburg finished second in the district this year behind Blacksburg.
"This was a rebuilding year for us," Blue Demon's coach Norma Cox said. "It took them a while, but about three-fourths of the way through the season we started seeing times and distances improve. My goal now for regionals is to get as many athletes as I can qualified for state. "
Cox said Jessica Felton, Christiansburg's lone senior, has a good chance of advancing to the state meet in the shot, as does junior Lisa Dalton in both of the throwing events. Laura Evans and Jenny Lambert are names to watch in the 1,600 and 3,200, as is Laura Dangerfield in the 400. Cox said she also expects Kim Bishop and Marsha Jones to have good showings in the jumping events.
For its part, Blacksburg coach Lee Cross said Shellie Stevens is the Indian's top hopeful in the 100 and 300 hurdles, as is Sarah Hendricks in the 800 and 1600. Katie Hill and Liz Sullivan also run in the 300 hurdles for Blacksburg and Sullivan excels in the high jump as well.
"Anything can happen," Cox said of the upcoming regional meet. "With youth you never can tell. This might be the day for them to go crazy. That makes it pretty unpredictable ... and pretty exciting."
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: LORA GORDON. 3,200 relay team members (from left) Robbyby CNBRakes, Michael Lee and Greg Turpin are among those at Christiansburg
High School who are getting ready for regional track competition.
They and several other team members will be defending titles won
last year. Also on the 3.200 relay team is Dewayne Allen.