ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 12, 1996 TAG: 9610150018
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
After years of little change, many things will be different about today's Metro Cross Country meet.
First, the site will change for the first time in eight years. It will be held at the Elizabeth Campus of Roanoke College, which is located on the Lynchburg Turnpike in Salem.
Second, there will be a new girls' champion after four years of domination by Glenvar's Trish Nervo.
Blacksburg's boys might take their first team title if they can overcome injuries that have decimated the team this fall. Meanwhile, Christiansburg is favored to outduel Salem, Cave Spring and Blacksburg in the girls' race.
There also may be a new boys' champion. Defending champion Matt Nolan is back, but Cave Spring's Ben Dowdy has been the hot runner this fall. Dowdy was third in the Metro a year ago, but he's already beaten the Christiansburg star this year.
Staunton River's Brian Harlor, second last year, should be a factor. Other contenders include Lord Botetourt's Will Wyche, Glenvar's John Nervo and Northside's Tommy Maguire. All three finished in the top 10 a year ago.
As for the girls' race, Christiansburg's Laura Evans and Roanoke Catholic's Maeve O'Meara finished second and third behind Nervo last year. However, it is Rockbridge County's Kelly Repair who has had the best fall so far and ranks as the favorite. She didn't run in the Metro last fall.
Other contenders in the girls' race include Lord Botetourt's Heather Chaffin, Glenvar's Bonnie Willett and Salem's Erin Alba and Jenna Hipp. Chaffin and Willett finished fith and sixth, respectively, in last year's Metro.
A developmental race will be held at 1:30 p.m. The girls' varsity race will be at 2 and the boys' at 2:45. The day closes with junior varsity competition at 3:30.
Christiansburg is the defending Group AA boys champion. The Blue Demons are rebuilding around Nolan, a two-time All-Timesland performer.
Blacksburg coach Jack Hencke hopes his boys' team will be a factor. Matt Chisholm, the No.2 runner for the Indians, is still trying to recover from a badly sprained ankle and will run in today's junior varsity meet trying to get ready for district and regional competition.
Clay Schwabe, the Indians' No.1 runner, is taking the SAT and may not arrive in time for the varsity competition. If he's late, he'll run in the junior varsity meet.
John Patterson, who runs in either the third or fourth position, is just now coming back from an accident in which a car hit three Indian runners last month. Charlie Cade is still hospitalized and Rafael Gray is still trying to recover.
LENGTH: Medium: 54 linesby CNB