THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 30, 1995 TAG: 9504300208
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
The Nansemond River boys track team flaunted its superior depth and cruised to victory in the Group AA-A division of the fourth annual Suffolk Invitational Saturday at the Warriors' Arrowhead Stadium.
Wilvern Flythe led the way by placing first in the 300 meter hurdles and running legs on the Warriors' victorious 400- and 1600-meter relay teams. Clarence Skinner took the 100 and Jamar Goodman added victories in the shot and discus.
``You don't want to get beat in your own backyard,'' Goodman said.
Western Branch, which capped Saturday's long day at the races by breezing to the 1600 relay title, led a Southeastern District sweep of the Group AAA division. The Bruins were followed in the team race by Norcom and Deep Creek.
A fourth Southeastern District school, Churchland, produced the meet's most outstanding male performer. Greg Boothe, finishing off a week during which he was named The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star's athlete of the week, ran a 10.62 into a roughly 25-mile-an-hour headwind to take the 100 run. Boothe also dominated the 200, winning in 21.62.
Western Branch's Clayton Porter, who turned in a 23-6 long jump Wednesday - nine inches farther than the previous area best - added a 23-0 leap Saturday to take the long jump title.
Cox's Jason Gustafson equaled the meet and area best standard with a 13-0 pole vault in an event dominated by the Falcons. Cox vaulters took the top three places and four of the first six.
Norcom's girls team captured the Group AAA division, while Naruna's William Campbell took the Group AA-A crown.
Greyhounds Nina Melton, Melanie Owes, LaWanda Williams and Missy Banks - all of whom weigh at least 150 pounds - blazed their way to victory in the Invitational's ``Big Girl'' 400 relay. Banks, who ran the anchor leg, made up a more than 15-meter deficit down the backstretch to win going away.
``The whole time I was thinking, ``Push it, push it,'' said Banks, a sophomore who placed fourth in the nation in the shot put during the indoor season and also won that event Saturday.
The ``Big Boys'' relay champion (minimum 200 pounds) also came from Norcom, as George Davis, John Skinner, Michael Ponds and 245-pound LeVar Bowers emerged victorious.
``You've seen our football team,'' Norcom coach Vincent Pugh said. ``It's no fluke. Our big boys can run.''
In baseball:
Greenbrier Christian 11, Cape Henry 6: Ross Robertson went 4 for 4 with three RBIs to lead the Gators (16-4). Eddie Gosman pitched six innings, striking out seven and walking three for his third win.
In boys lacrosse:
Norfolk Academy 15, West 3: Mike Moro netted four goals, while Drew McKnight, Chamie Burroughs and Ben Kottke added three each to lead the Bulldogs (6-2). McKnight also had five assists.
In tennis:
Norfolk Academy 5, Woodberry Forest 4: Allen Johnson (No. 5) won in straight sets to remain unbeaten and Ravi Manickavasagar (No. 4) won at love for the Bulldogs (13-0).
TEXAS SUIT: A suspended football coach, who gained national attention last fall for his cable television call of the dramatic final moments of a high school game, has filed a $5 million libel and slander suit against the school's track coach.
Mike Zoffuto, athletic director and head football coach at Lake Highlands High School, filed the suit Wednesday. He is known for the animated commentary he and two other amateur sportscasters gave during the telecast of a playoff game between Tyler John Tyler and Plano East.
In the game's final 2 1/2 minutes, 34 points were scored. Plano East came from far behind to go ahead with only seconds remaining, but Tyler John Tyler ran a kickoff back for a touchdown to reclaim the lead and win the game.
``God bless those kids. I'm sick. I want to throw up,'' Zoffuto said after the 97-yard kickoff return.
The suit alleges that track coach William ``Buzz'' Andrews falsely accused him of embezzling, taking kickbacks from vendors, and misusing public funds. Zoffuto alleged that Andrews' accusations led the district to investigate him.
Zoffuto was suspended with pay from the school Tuesday. by CNB