THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 10, 1995 TAG: 9509100190
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
Kempsville's Adrienne Parker said she came to the Catholic Cross Country Invitational to find out where she stood.
Unfortunately for the rest of the area's runners, it looks as though Parker still stands alone.
Parker, the 1994 Eastern Region champion, tuned up for a successful defense Saturday with a 28-second victory in the girls division of the 17th annual cross country race at Mount Trashmore.
In the boys event, Tim Foerster of Richmond's Thomas Jefferson caught and passed Tallwood's Billy Edwards in the final half-mile en route to a 10-second victory. Foerster's effort also helped the Vikings to their second consecutive team title. Thomas Jefferson's girls team, the defending Central Region champs, also captured a team title.
Parker, who placed eighth in the state meet a year ago, seized her customary early lead Saturday and ran unchallenged throughout. Bayside's Carolyn Zanelli, last year's winner, stayed close through the first half-mile, but it wasn't long before all Zanelli and 171 runners could see ahead was the ever-diminishing sight of Parker's blonde ponytail.
``I was feeling good out there,'' the Kempsville junior said.
But while Parker proved she's still the queen of area runners, Saturday's Invitational provided a glimpse of a likely heir to her throne. Tallwood freshman Pam Edwards, Billy's sister, gamely pursued the Chiefs' star over the final two miles before settling for second.
``She did a tremendous job,'' Tallwood coach George Versprille said of Edwards, the city mile and half-mile champ last year at Brandon Middle School.
In the boys race, Foerster avoided the trap which hampered several top runners - going out too fast to shed the pretenders in the 220-runner field - by staying patient. In 12th place after one mile, Foerster gradually worked his way towards the front-running Edwards before exposing the Tallwood senior's weakness - lack of a great kick - in the final 800 yards.
Still, Edwards, mindful of the purpose of this early season race, wasn't disappointed.
``I'm pretty pleased, actually,'' he said. ``This is good preparation. I know I can do a whole lot better later in the season.'' by CNB