THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 17, 1996 TAG: 9601170490
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
The Cox gymnastics team all but wrapped up the Beach District title Tuesday with its best meet of the season.
The Falcons totaled a season-high 145.25 points to Kellam's 142.3 and Tallwood's 134.1 in a tri-meet at First Colonial.
The Falcons (7-0) have defeated every legitimate contender for the district team title and have only one meet remaining.
While most eyes were on the anticipated battle between Cox and Kellam, First Colonial was gaining two victories in another tri-meet also taking place in the Patriots' gym - outscoring Princess Anne and Green Run, 128.0-116.6-78.75.
All six teams competed at the same time because of a lack of judges.
Cox went into the competition with a bit of an advantage over the Knights. While it was the Falcons' third meet of the season, Kellam had yet to compete because of two byes and one meet that was snowed out.
``Oh yes, that definitely had something to do with it in terms of our girls,'' Kellam coach Debi Strausbaugh said. ``We had opening-meet jitters.
``But (Cox) had a great meet.''
Kellam managed to capture the top two all-around positions with a win by defending state all-around runner-up Michelle Alexander and second-place finish by teammate Brooke Sawyer.
Lucy Fisher of Cox was third.
Cox held a fourth-tenths of a point lead after the first rotation on floor and built on that lead each of the next three events.
With Kellam finishing the meet first after completing the balance beam, Cox needed only 33.6 points in the event to win. The Falcons six competitors all managed to finish without a single fall and racked up 36.55 points.
``We really had a great meet tonight,'' Falcons coach Melody Hartranft said. ``I've got so much depth and that really helps.
``We faced all the best teams in the district right off the bat and I'm going to let some of the other girls compete in the next meet. I've got girls sitting out who could be starters on all the other teams.''
Susan Funk of First Colonial captured the all-around title in the other tri-meet, barely edging Kim Kuchem of Princess Anne 35.1-35.05 - even though Kuchem captured top honors in three of the four individual events. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
L. TODD SPENCER
Kellam's Theresa Polizzi performs on the balance beam during a meet
Tuesday at First Colonial.
by CNB