THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 20, 1996 TAG: 9603200153
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 112 lines
THIS COULD BE the third consecutive year Bayside and Salem slug it out for the Beach District girls track championship.
Two years ago, the teams had a photo finish. They shared the district meet championship.
Last year, Salem finished on top with an 11-point edge over the Marlins.
But Bayside went on to tie Denbigh for the Eastern Region title and won the state championship.
Bayside has 20 members of last year's team back and looms as the team to beat.
In the Eastern District, Maury and Granby should battle it out for the championship. Norcom appears to be the standout in the Southeastern District.
A capsule look at the Beach teams, listed in predicted order of finish in the district meet:
BAYSIDE
Coach: Keith Delong
1995 record: First in state; tied for first in region; second in district
Key performers: Sprinters Lashonda Cutchin, Tamika Williams, Twylite Pope and Ebony Shelton; distance runners Carolyn Zanelli, Jackie Tugman and Missy Armstrong; Tyawnna Still and Peggie Boddie in shot and discus.
Outlook: Cutchin is returning state champion at 100 meters and won the 300-meter indoor title. She also will bolster a 400-meter relay unit that could be a state contender. Twenty holdovers from last year make Bayside a championship team contender at all levels.
SALEM
Coach: Shrecee Purham
1995 record: First in district
Key performers: Jumpers Jameka Collins and Mavo Mitchell; sprinter Kyra Purham and distance runners Janelle Collins and Katrina Roundtree.
Outlook: Salem won only two events in capturing the district title last year, showing the down-the-line scoring punch. That overall punch may not be as formidable this season, but Purham describes the team as ``talented, hard working and dedicated.'' And it's a definite title contender.
KEMPSVILLE
Coach: Kendall Tata
1995 record: Third in district
Key performers: Distance runners Adrienne Parker and Katie Sullivan; hurdler Charlette Fayton; Pamela McKinney in shot and discus.
Outlook: Exceptional strength in distance events and counting on freshmen additions Meredith Lowrance, Ashley Whitaker and Amanda Foley to add punch. Tata is looking forward to ``a good season'' and could push the frontrunners.
TALLWOOD
Coach: David Swanger
1995 record: Fifth in district
Key performers: Shot/discus thrower Tamara Valentine; distance runner Pam Edwards; jumper Jennifer Luther.
Outlook: Nine freshmen and nine sophomores are on this young team. Swanger says the group's super work ethic has him ``looking for our best season yet.''
FIRST COLONIAL
Coach: Leslie Benjamin
1995 record: Fourth in district
Key performers: Sprinter Ebony Jenkins; jumpers Jennifer Stilwell and Carmela Woods; distance runner Rachel Bradley.
Outlook: Stilwell will split her time with soccer but is getting near the school long jump record. Jenkins is a transfer from Green Run who will contend in 200- and 400-meter dashes.
GREEN RUN
Coach: Willie Maull
1995 record: Eighth in district
Key performers: Hurdler Michelle Hood; middle distance runners Amanda James, Quiana Erb and Jennifer Keeley; and sprinters Shakundala Davis, Shanelle Harrigan and Valerie Wells.
Outlook: Strong in middle distances and in the field events but there's a need for the sprinters to be point producers.
OCEAN LAKES
Coach: Thomas Anderson
1995 record: Sixth in district
Key performers: Hurdler/jumper Shannon Perkins; Amber White in shot and discus; distance runner Gina Ward.
Outlook: Leadership comes from Perkins, who has a 3.97 GPA in classroom and scored 1100 on the SAT. Perkins will hurdle, jump and run relays. Seniors and juniors must carry the team.
COX
Coach: Glen Barr
1995 record: Ninth in district
Key performers: Jennifer Dillinger, high jumper; Hollie Robinson, distance runner; Dee Taylor, field events; Mallory Otey, shot put.
Outlook: Key performers were lost from the indoor team to soccer but the team had an all-time high of 46 candidates. However, 27 are freshmen and sophomores.
KELLAM
Coach: Denise Schmitter
1995 record: 10th in district
Key performers: Hurdler Rebecca Goodnight; distance runners Eren Walsh, Jennifer Cassada and Tamyra Stegeman.
Outlook: Long running events will provide the Knights' strength. To move up in the district race, the Knights will must improve in the sprints.
PRINCESS ANNE
Coach: Fred Wilkinson
1995 record: Seventh in district
Key performers: Distance runner Megan Kaminski and long jumper Aprelle Watkins.
Outlook: A good turnout of 21 candidates but team has no seniors and is short on track experience. ILLUSTRATION: File photo
Bayside's LaShonda Cutchin is returning state champion at 100
meters. She was hugged last year by her mother after the sprint.
by CNB