THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9603300082
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Five teams are expected to have a say in Bay Rivers District girls track this season.
York, Poquoson, Southampton, Lakeland and Nansemond River were tabbed by coaches as the favorites.
``It's going to be nip and tuck,'' Southampton coach Alvin Blow said. ``York and Poquoson have the distance runners, and Nansemond River and Lakeland bring the sprinters. It's tight every year because everybody is going to have something.''
In the Tri-Rivers District, Windsor coach Bev Turner expects her young team to be competitive.
Here is a look at local girls teams (information provided by coaches):
NANSEMOND RIVER
Coach: Arnice Monroe
Key performers: Hurdler and jumper Monica Southall (Jr.); sprinters Tomika Mayfield (Soph.), Laketa Mayfield (Fr.) and Latrice Mizelle (Fr.); sprinter and jumper Demetria Beamon (Fr.).
Outlook: The Warriors have more girls out than normal and according to Monroe, ``there's some talent out there.'' Southall, one of only three returners, competed at state in the long jump last season.
LAKELAND
Coach: James Dabney
Key performers: Jumpers Cheri Phillips (Jr.) and DeDe Edwards (Sr.); Yvette Edwards (Sr.) in shot and discus; short distance and relay runner B.J. Rich (Soph.).
Outlook: Phillips was the Region I high jump champion last year and was joined at the state meet by Edwards and Rich. Dabney said his younger competitors will have to have an impact in order for the Cavaliers to be competitive in the district.
SOUTHAMPTON
Coach: Alvin Blow
Key performers: Sprinter and jumper LaToya Adkins (Jr.); jumper Lucinda Brown (Sr.); Tenekia Brown in shot and discus (Sr.); short distance runner Cherica Taylor (Soph.); jumper and short distance runner Nicole Whitfield (Fr.).
Outlook: The Indians only have 12 athletes, but Blow said his team is stronger than the one that finished third in the Bay Rivers last season. Adkins was a state finalist last year in the 100- and 200-meter, while Tenekia Brown was a finalist in discus.
FRANKLIN
Coach: Joe Jones
Key performers: Eve Drewry (Sr.) in hurdles and shot; sprinter Anita Lawrence (Jr.); Savora McCray (Jr.) and Mandi Vick (Sr.) in shot and discus; distance runner Shirley Gailey (Jr.).
Outlook: The Broncos' strength will be in the field events. Drewry, who also plays softball, has shown promise on the hurdles and is one of the team's two seniors.
SMITHFIELD
Coach: Mike Serig
Key performers: Sprinters Chrissy Cooper (Sr.) and Shenelle Davis (Jr.); high jumper Liz Fortier (Soph.); Sherress Hicks (Sr.) in shot and discus.
Outlook: Serig said this is a rebuilding year for the Packers. Their strength will be in sprints, discus and shot put.
WINDSOR
Coach: Bev Turner
Key performers: Shot and discus throwers Jontrice Banks (Jr.), Christelle Johnson (Jr.) and Catava Burton (Jr.); relay runners Nicole Eene (Fr.), Tammy Holland (Fr.) and Loren Harris (Jr.).
Outlook: Turner said her team is still building, but ``won't be run all over'' by a tough Tri-Rivers, which includes Surry County, last year's Group A state champion. The Dukes have 12 eighth-graders and have had trouble practicing because of bad weather. by CNB