THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 30, 1994 TAG: 9410280305
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: John Gordon
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
It's been a great season for Nansemond River's field hockey team, but a disappointing one for Lakeland High.
Coach Sue Ardelji's Cavaliers had virtually the same team back from last year and fielded a stronger squad. But the Lady Cavs lost a few games by only one goal and four of them were with less than three minutes to play.
Going into last Thursday's finale at Poquoson, they were 2-8-1 overall and 2-7 in the Bay Rivers District. And Lakeland failed to qualify for the district tourney that took only the top four schools.
``We felt competitive,'' Ardelji said. ``Our record just doesn't show it.''
However, with five juniors who have played together for three seasons now, Lakeland may be a contender next season. Those juniors are Sheila Byrum, Charity Gent, Jenny Frierdich, Lisa Pearce and Ardelji's daughter, Keri.
Lakeland will lose senior Angie Byrum who was the team's leading scorer, but there are two sophomores - Jennifer Jones and Jessica Zuniga - who will be back along with freshman Crystal McCully.
``Gent plays both forward and halfback, Frierdich did a terrific job as goalie, and McCully is going to be powerful,'' said Ardelji.
One of the advantages that Lakeland has is its field. It is only 50 by 90 feet whereas most fields are 60 by 100.
``A smaller field is allowed,'' the coach said, ``but throws some people.''
Maybe next season, it will throw more opponents, and the Cavaliers will play better on the larger visitors' fields.
LATIMER WINS RACE: A couple of 34-year-old runners showed 91 others how to do it at the fourth annual 5K run and walk for the Suffolk Women's Shelter in Smithfield last Sunday.
Smithfield's Dennis Latimer won the men's division in 17:38, and Laura Healy, of Virginia Beach, covered the course in 20:57. The only Suffolk winner was Stella Payne in the 40-49 age bracket.
The 93 entries were eight more than last year's race and proceeds go for Suffolk's shelter for abused women. The event is held annually during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness month.
GOLF TOURNEY POSTPONED: The Marvin C. ``Chip'' Winslow Memorial Golf Tournament, slated for Suffolk Golf Course last Friday, has been postponed until the spring.
Sponsored by Nansemond-Suffolk Academy in memory of a former student golfer, the tourney is a fund-raiser for N-SA. However, there were not enough players entered to have the event this fall.
Officials refunded the $50 entry fees and are planning to have the fifth annual tournament next spring.
COACHES MEETING SET: A coaches meeting for Suffolk's youth basketball league is scheduled for Birdsong Recreation Center on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. The league is slated to start Jan. 14. by CNB