THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 28, 1995 TAG: 9512230221
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, COMPASS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Maury, which finished 9-0 in the district last season, is the obvious pick for first in the Eastern District boys swim race. But, like the rest of the league, the Commodores were hit hard by graduation.
Of the five schools, only Granby returns a solid cast of veterans - only one of whom is a senior.
The Comets, who have 10 back from last year's 4-4 team, promise to be stronger and will be led by Aaron Vigenski (second place in 500, third in backstroke) and Maksim Smeljov (third in freestyle, fourth in IM).
The Commodores, who only return six, will count on the new talent to lead the way as well as defending district champion Kevin Kresovich.
A look at how the Eastern District boys teams will fare:
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Coach: Amy Barrineau (1st year).
Top returnees: Bang Nguyen, freestyle, Jr.; Michael Maze, butterfly, Sr.
Top newcomers: Ronald Barnett, IM, Fr.; Brian Riddick, freestyle, Sr.
Outlook: The Bookers have a strong nucleus of swimmers, but are rebuilding. They'll try to find some continuity to compete.
GRANBY Coach: Debra Bayles (3rd year)
Top returnees:Maksim Smeljov, IM, freestyle, Jr.; Aaron Vigenski, backstroke, freestyle, Jr.
Top newcomers: Edmundo Martinez, backstroke, Fr.; Raymond Hammott, breaststroke, Fr.; Alex Blythe, freestyle, So.
Outlook: The key to the Comets' season will be depth and experience of the second and third year swimmers. After two seasons off, Alex Sunkins and Joe Bryant return to help bolster the Comets.
LAKE TAYLOR Coach: Scott Evans (10th year).
Top returnees: Theo Weaver, IM/ freestyle, Sr.; Teremie Baylon, freestyle, So.; James Wagoner, freestyle/butterfly, Jr.; Mark Beddingfield, freestyle/breaststroke, So.; Karl Walker, IM/butterfly, Jr.
Top newcomers: Brad Bailey, freestyle/breaststroke, So.; Chris Cornwell, freestyle/butterfly, Fr.; Phillip David, backstroke/IM, Fr.; Nick Dorsey, freestyle/backstroke, So.; Jason Frizzell, freestyle/backstroke, Jr.; John Harkins, freestyle/breaststroke, Fr.; Lars Obendorf, freestyle/breaststroke, Jr.
Outlook: It'll be a rebuilding year for the Titans who graduated 75 percent of the swim team. The veterans and the newcomers will have to make an impact early.
MAURY Coach: Lee Markley (4th year).
Top returnees: Kevin Krekovich, freestyle/breaststroke, So.; Christian Gudio, freestyle/IM, So.; Evans Poston, freestyle, So.
Top newcomers: Demitrius Kalogeropoulas, freestyle/butterfly, Jr.; Peter Herbert, frestyle/backstroke, Fr.; Bryan Stephens, breaststroke, Fr.; John Mein, freestyle, Fr.
Outlook: Only six return from last year's squad, but Markley says the veterans are stronger and the newcomers are talented.
NORVIEW Coach: Roy Brunner (4th year).
Top returnees: Dan Mayer, freestyle, Sr.; Tony Langston, freestyle/backstroke, So.; Mike Mayer, freestyle, So.
Top newcomers: Shawn Michelson, IM/breaststroke, Sr.; Dustin Selig, breaststroke, So.; Mike Phillips, freestyle, Sr.
Outlook: The three returners will form the nucleus of the team. Michelson will add depth and help the Pilots challenge in the relay events. by CNB