THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509200178
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
LAKELAND CROSS COUNTRY coach David Wessel can't wait for the end of the Bay Rivers District season. That's when he says his boys team will be strongest.
``We may be the most talented in the state as far as pure athletes,'' he said. ``But training and running is hard work and we're not in great shape right now. By the end of the year, if we train hard, we can take it.''
York is expected to challenge for the title, while Nansemond River coach Tanya Lawrence expects the Warriors to be improved.
Here's a look at the area's boys teams:
LAKELAND
Coach: David Wessel, second year
Last year's record: 8-2 overall, 6-1 district
Returning starters: Andy Franklin, So.; Leonard Wiggins, Jr.; Shonte Lassiter, Jr.; Aaron Dowaliby, Sr.; Herbert Beamon, Sr.
Top newcomers: James Pruden, Sr.; Jerome Harris, Sr., Julio Sanchez, Sr.
Outlook: The Cavaliers should be strong despite losing several key runners to graduation. ``The new athletes we have now are better than the ones we lost,'' Wessel said. Several of Wessel's top athletes also play on the Lakeland basketball team, including Pruden. ``You don't find many athletes like him,'' Wessel said. ``I look for him to be right up there with the best in the district.''
Franklin was named All-District and All-Region last year, while Beamon was All-District two years ago before he went to Texas.
NANSEMOND RIVER
Coach: Tanya Lawrence, first year
Last year's record: finished fourth
Returning starters: Grayson Craun, Sr.; William Navaro, Sr.
Top newcomers: David Merrell, Fr.; Daniel Canada, So.; Thomas Merrell, Jr.
Outlook: The Warriors should easily improve upon last year's finish. Last season, Craun became the first boys cross country runner from Nansemond River to qualify for regional competition.
Lawrence said Nansemond River is young and she's unsure how they stack up against the rest of the Bay Rivers. ``Besides (Craun and Navaro), everyone else is basically a freshman or sophomore and it's their first time running,'' she said. ``It's a growing team and we hope we can place in the top three (in the district.''
SMITHFIELD
Coach: Anthony Eaton, first year
Last year's record: 1-6 overall, 1-5 district
Returning starters: Charlie Serig, Jr.; Tim Wenk, Jr.
Top newcomers: Kevin Gray, Jr.; Sam Sinozich, Jr.
Outlook: Eaton is confident that the Packers will turn things around in his first year. ``Definitely,'' was his answer when asked if this year will be better than last season. ``We look very good so far, but the kids will have to work hard and want to be winners.''
Serig heads a young team. He's the team captain and qualified for the state meet last season. Although Smithfield isn't usually a district contender, Eaton said, ``We're going to try to change that.''
SOUTHAMPTON
Coach: Lonnie Revis, second year
Last year's record: 1-6 overall, 0-4 Bay Rivers
Returning starters: Neil Hancock, Sr.; Tim Edwards, Jr.; Aaron Woodard, Sr.; Christy Ferguson, Jr.
Top newcomers: Jeff Watkins, So.; Phillip Watkins, So.; Robbie Blanford, So.
Outlook: Revis says he has ``good feelings and high hopes'' for this year's team. ``All our returning lettermen have been running constantly and the new runners who haven't competed (in cross country) are adjusting well,'' he said. ``We're going to improve and have a good year.''
The Indians gave Revis proof last week when they lost, 25-30, to Sussex, a team that blew out Southampton last season.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
As usual, York is the overwhelming favorite in the Bay Rivers District girls cross country race.
``They're the best team in the state,'' said Lakeland coach David Wessel. ``No one can touch them in the area, they're unbelievable.''
No area teams are expected to knock off York. Nansemond River is inexperienced with two returnees, while Lakeland has only two runners.
A look at both area teams in the Bay Rivers girls race:
NANSEMOND RIVER
Coach: Tanya Lawrence, first year
Last year's record: finished fourth
Returning starters: Kelly Savage, So.; Anna Stevens, So.
Top newcomers: Nicki Davies, Fr.; Misti Lucero, Fr.; Angilina Boybal, Fr.
Outlook: The Warriors are young, but Lawrence is excited about their chances. ``We've got a pretty good chance of finishing one or two,'' she said.
One thing that could hurt Nansemond River is depth. ``With five runners, it doesn't leave us much leeway for injuries,'' Lawrence said. ``If we get any injuries, we can't compete as a team.''
LAKELAND
Coach: David Wessel, second year
Last year's record: 5-2
Returning starters: Janet Chapman, So.
Top newcomers: Jennifer Bungubung, Sr.
Outlook: Chapman was named All-District and All-Region as a freshman last year. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Lakeland High senior James Pruden, above, and sophomore Andy
Franklin, right, should be two of the Cavaliers top runners this
season.
by CNB