The Virginian-Pilot 
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, April 27, 1995               TAG: 9504260149
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN              PAGE: 21   EDITION: FINAL 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   45 lines

23 TEAMS TO COMPETE, INCLUDING MOST OF BAY RIVERS

A record 23 teams, including the majority of the Bay Rivers District, will converge Saturday on Arrowhead Stadium at Nansemond River High for the fourth annual Suffolk Invitational.

Teams in the Group AAA field include Hampton - the first Peninsula District school to compete in the Invitational - Booker T. Washington, Princess Anne, Oscar Smith, Deep Creek, Thomas Jefferson (Richmond), Western Branch, Maury, First Colonial, Wilson, Norcom, Churchland and Cox.

Lakeland and Nansemond River will headline the Group AA-A field, along with York, Greensville County, Matoaca, Poquoson, William Campbell, Arcadia, Franklin and Bruton.

Southampton made a prior commitment to a meet at Surry County.

Teams will be allowed to enter two runners in each event, making the Invitational a prime event to meet state qualifying times, said Nansemond River coach Arnice Monroe.

Under normal circumstances, Lakeland's boys team might be considered the favorite for overall title honors. The Cavaliers have finished first in four invitational meets and are 3-0 in district action. But the Cavaliers' ranks will be depleted by the absence of several of its top runners, who will be competing in the Penn Relays.

``Don't count us out,'' Lakeland coach James Dabney said. ``We'll still have a pretty good team.''

Lakeland's girls to watch include the versatile Hope Knight (shot, discus, 300 hurdles and 100 relay) and distance specialist Christina DuBois (mile, two-mile).

Nansemond River will counter with talented Christy Saunders (800, mile, two-mile) and a solid cast that also includes Monica Southall (100, 200), Kelly Sollens (shot, discus) and LaTasha Riddick (400, 400 relay).

Nansemond River's boys effort will be highlighted by Rob Patrick (800, mile, two-mile), James Worrell (400, 400 relay), Damion Giles (400, 400 relay) and Herman Kee (110 and 300 hurdles), among others.

Competition begins at 9 a.m. Admission is $2.

- Paul White by CNB