THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9603300080
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEITH POMPEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
THE SUSSEX CENTRAL and Nansemond River boys track teams have one thing in common. Both teams are in the driver's seat to win their respective districts. But that's where their similarities end.
Sussex Central went 6-0 in the regular season and won the Tri-Rivers and regional titles last year. And Tiger coach Stan Pope is a legend. He has a 198-6 record after 20 years of coaching. And with seven all-district performers returning, look for him to add to his win total.
Pope's most notable standout is Corey Cook. The junior took first place in the 110 high and 300 intermediate hurdles in the 1995 district meet. Teammate Juaron Delk, a senior, finished second in the shot put and fourth in the discus.
Nansemond River, on the other hand, returns nine athletes from last year's second-place squad. Keith Mayfield and James Worrell are in a class by themselves.
Mayfield, a junior, is the defending Bay Rivers District and regional champ in the 400. Worrell is a defending district and regional champ in the 800.
Here is a look at local boys teams from information provided by coaches:
NANSEMOND RIVER
Coach: Arnice Monroe
Key performers: Sprinters Clarence Skinner (Sr.); Temeterus Robinson (Soph.); distance runners Keith Mayfield (Jr.), James Worrell (Jr.), Damon Hill (Soph.), Stacey Green (Jr.), Steven Pitts (Fr.) and Kenjito Town (Soph.); jumper Randell White (Sr.).
Outlook: With nine returnees, the Warriors will be highly competitive and should challenge for the Bay Rivers title.
LAKELAND
Coach: James Dabney
Key performers: High jumpers Harry Saunders (Jr.), Adrian Shears (Jr.) and John Stringfield (Jr.); hurdler and jumper LaRon Claude (Sr.); sprinters Melvin Faulk (Sr.), Jerome Harris (Sr.) and Phoenix Long (Jr.).
Outlook: The Cavaliers should place in every event. But Lakeland's strongest event will be the 4x100 meter relay.
SMITHFIELD
Coach: Miles Blount
Key performers: Sprinters Chris Parker (Soph.), Derrick Porter (Soph.) and Billy Jackson (Jr.); Mike Kreyling (Sr.) in shot put and discus; hurdler John Godfrey (Sr.).
Outlook: The Packers are a very young team with only one senior.
SOUTHAMPTON
Coach: Alvin Blow
Key performers: Ohnja Bynum (Jr.) in discus; LaVelle Evans (Jr.) in shot put; short distance runner and long jumper Chris Ivey (Jr.).
Outlook: Blow said several of his top athletes decided not to participate so the Indians will be inexperienced. They will also be short on runners.
FRANKLIN
Coach: Joe Jones
Key performers: Pole vaulter and hurdler Dishaun Hart (Soph.); jumper Will Harris (Soph.); sprinters Carlandous Banks (Sr.) and Myroen Barrett (Jr.); short-distance runner Matt Baynard (Sr.); distance runner Corbin Coats (Soph.); shot and discus thrower Chris Claggett (Jr.).
Outlook: The Broncos, who won just one meet last season, will be strong in sprints and relays, led by Banks, a wide receiver on the football team. They'll be thin in distance events because most of their runners are also on the soccer team. Jones expects improvement over last year.
WINDSOR
Coach: Ron Cooper
Key performers: Sprinter and short-distance runner Torrence Saunders (Sr.); Wayne Briggs (Sr.) in shot.
Outlook: Cooper said he is trying to stimulate interest in track at Windsor and has a very young team made up of mostly junior varsity competitors. Briggs, an All Tri-Rivers running back, is competing for the first time in shot put, but he has been impressive.
SUSSEX CENTRAL
Coach: Stan Pope
Key performers: Hurdler Corey Cook (Jr.); Jauron Delk (Sr.) in shot put and discus; short-distance runners Tyrone Clary (Jr.) and Lorenzo Turner (Jr.).
Outlook: With seven all-district performers from last year's championship team, the Tigers should repeat.
SURRY COUNTY
Coach: Willie Gillus
Key performers: Short-distance runner Daniel Williams (Soph.); long-distance runner Berny Cobler (Sr.); sprinter and jumper Kevin Shaw (Sr.)
Outlook: Williams, Cobler and Shaw are three of the best athletes in the Tri-Rivers District. Williams, a tailback on the football team, last year competed in the mile, but he could become one of the better middle-distance runners in the district. He also runs a 51-second quarter.
Note: Nansemond-Suffolk Academy did not provide information. by CNB