THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 6, 1995 TAG: 9501050178
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 110 lines
THE RIVALRY FORMED its foundations years ago, but it never really took shape until last year.
But now that it has, it looks like things between the Kellam and Cox gymnastics teams will continue into this season and beyond.
Everything was in place when competition began last year.
The opposing coaches had competed against each other in high school and college, Kellam had the makings of a state championship team with the influx of four top-notch private school gymnasts, and Cox had the reputation of giant-killer because of its overall consistency through the years.
The elements didn't let us down.
Kellam went unbeaten during the regular season, but Cox edged the Knights in the Beach District tournament by less than a point.
Kellam bounced back the following weekend in regionals, taking Cox by a 2.5 point margin.
The Knights went on to capture the Group AAA state championship in record-setting fashion, while Cox happily settled for third.
There is little reason to think things will change this year, as Kellam returns its four private club performers and shoots for a repeat championship. Only two other schools have ever won back-to-back state titles since the tournament began in 1974.
If scores look higher this year, it is because the Beach District has adopted the scoring system employed in post season tournaments - where a team's top four scores in each event apply to the team score. Last year, only three scores were used.
The system will make it more difficult for teams to hang with Kellam and Cox.
The Knights are led by returning sophomores Brooke Sawyer and Michelle Alexander. Sawyer finished fifth all-around at last year's state meet, followed by Alexander in sixth. They are joined by sophomores Kim Russell and Theresa Polizzi. Leigh Wallace will attempt to fill the shoes of Lisa Binetti, last year's leader and also a strong all-around performer.
The Knights' strong point will again be balance beam, where the team suffered no falls in its opener before the holidays.
``There is some talk of us repeating as state champs,'' coach Debi Strausbaugh said. ``I think it's almost expected of us because of the people we have returning.
``But I'd say we have a good chance. The girls gained a lot of experience in last year's meet and that maturity is really going to help us.''
In the first meet of the season, however, Cox scored higher than the Knights, although the teams didn't compete against each other.
The Falcons don't have the high-caliber private club experience, but they do perform within their limitations consistently.
Erin Schweitzer is the top all-around for Cox. The senior scored 36.65 points in last year's state meet. ``She'll score 9s or close to it in every event,'' coach Melody Hartranft said.
Lana Pinera is a sophomore who also qualified for state last year. The two are joined by all-arounds Britt Moore, Kim Wallfred and freshman Lucy Fisher. Trish Feltz is a junior who has battled back from cancer to compete this season in three events.
``She's making a great comeback and she's really an inspiration,'' Hartranft said.
Kempsville and First Colonial are the only other real challengers to threaten Cox and Kellam.
The Patriots have three quality all-around performers in seniors Marissa Sutor and Eleanor Drew, and freshman Kim Maugeri. Maugeri still competes privately for Ocean Tumblers.
Another freshman all-around, Camille Rodgers, has great potential according to coach Christy Anderson.
State qualifier Laura Snelling is the Chiefs' top all-around performer, and is joined by junior Rachel Peters and freshman Tena Hendricks. Junior Missy Lawson will return as an all-around as soon as her knee recovers from tendinitis. Junior Kristen Grabb is a former all-around who won't compete on bars because of wrist problems. Freshman Courtney Childress will score on floor and bars.
Cheryl Risk is Tallwood's top performer, as the junior all-around qualified for state last year. Freshman Stephanie Parker, sophomore Tiffany Markun and junior Becky Huffman all have private club experience.
The biggest news to hit the district is that Bayside's Liane Williams will advance on the private club level to elite and will not compete in high school gymnastics. Williams, one of the strongest performers the last two seasons, finished third all-around and won individual titles in uneven bars, floor and vault in last year's state championship.
``The Beach will definitely miss her,'' Marlins coach Diane Johnson said.
Senior Robin Midgett returns after a two-year absence and is joined by freshman Jackie Tugman, the team's top all-around.
Freshman Kim Kuchem is Princess Anne's top all-around and will get help from sophomore captain Megan Shanley, a self-taught gymnast who is the sister of former state runner-up Erin Shanley.
Salem will be led by freshman Heather Robertson and sophomore Davinia Roberts - two former private club performers. The team's third and fourth scores will come from a variety of performers.
Green Run will likely struggle, as none of the performers has any private club exprience. Seniors Cara Dickerson and Angie Asmussen and sophomore Nicole Brooks are the most seasoned, while sophomore Michelle Morrison and freshmen Dana Manley and Jamie Sloan are newcomers.
Ocean Lakes will also struggle from a lack of experience. ILLUSTRATION: Leigh Wallace, captain of the Kellam team, will attempt to fill
the shoes of Lisa Binetti, last year's leader.
Staff photos by CHARLIE MEADS
Kellam High's defending state champion gymnastic team is led by
Brooke Sawyer, who finished fifth all-around in last year's state
meet.
by CNB