THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 28, 1996 TAG: 9603260159
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Maury will be gunning for its third consecutive championship in Eastern District girls track this season. But Granby could have something to say about that.
Last year, the Commodores edged the Comets by just two points in the district meet. Granby had only two seniors on that squad.
Maury has 11 letter-winners back, and Maury coach Walt Green sports a sparkling 23-1 record in three years at the helm of the Commodores.
The Commodores' lone weakness could be in the field events. Two-time district 100-meter champion Cassell Person should be among the area's premier sprinters. Maury has lost the services of middle distance runner Sara Frueh, who is not running for personal reasons, but has acquired All-Tidewater basketball player Shwante Snead.
Versatile Tanya Jones, all-district in volleyball and basketball, leads Granby. She's a top-notch jumper and hurdler.
Elsewhere in the region, Bayside and Salem figure to battle it out for the Beach District crown, and Great Bridge and Norcom are the powers in the Southeastern.
Following are capsule looks at the Eastern District teams in predicted order of finish in the district meet:
MAURY
Coach: Walt Green.
1995 record: Eastern District champion.
Key performers: Sprinters Cassell Person and Lisa Joyner, hurdler Thomasena Snowden and Vida Reid; and middle distance runner Jennifer Warren.
Outlook: Person is a two-time district champion at 100 meters and heads a good corps of sprinters and distance runners. Improvement in field events is needed. Freshman Samaiyah Islam will be a big boost in the hurdles. Snead will run the sprints and hurdle. She also may jump.
GRANBY
Coach: Christine Handy.
1995 record: Second place in district.
Key performers: Hurdler/jumper Tanya Jones; shot putter LaMeka Carter; discus thrower Nicole Jackson.
Outlook: Comets had only two seniors on last year's team, which lost to champion Maury by two points. This is a young squad with a lot of potential.
LAKE TAYLOR
Coach: Cheryl Jennison.
1995 record: Third place in district.
Key performers: Sprinter/jumper Kenya Elliott; Felicia Barnes and Ravarner Johnson in shot and discus; middle distance runners Sonja Lassiter and Allison Flood, and hurdler Luttiyyah Ali.
Outlook: A rebuilding year with only seven returnees. A large turnout of new candidates bodes well for the future.
NORVIEW
Coach: Lytonya Payton.
1995 record: Fourth place in district.
Key performers: Sprinters Genesha Gibson, Basha Coleman, Telesha Peterson and Lakisha Wilson; Terrie Moore at middle distances; Latoya Elliott in hurdles; and distance runner Nikki Perez.
Outlook: The squad consists of only 14 with four regulars back. Payton plans to concentrate on particular events in an effort to get regional qualifiers.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Coach: Bermina McClenny.
1995 record: Fifth place in district.
Key performers: Hurdlers April Hicks and Jennell Holloman.
Outlook: Second-year coach McClenny is hoping new faces will help the Bookers to a more successful track season this year. Hicks and Holloman make Booker T. strong in the hurdles but additional running strength must be provided by newcomers. by CNB