THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, May 11, 1996                 TAG: 9605110461
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C7   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY KEITH POMPEY, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: SUFFOLK                            LENGTH: Short :   42 lines

N. RIVER NIPPED IN ITS FINAL BAY RIVERS MEET

Nansemond River's boys track team, competing in its last Bay Rivers District meet, was edged by Poquoson 85-84 for the team title Friday at Nansemond River.

Defending champion Lakeland finished fourth with 74 points after three of its top sprinters were injured during the meet. But the Cavaliers got a dazzling performance from sprinter Melvin Faulk.

Both Suffolk schools will compete in the Group AAA Southeastern District next year.

In the girls competition, Bruton was victorious with 166 points. Southampton was second with 81, followed by Nansemond River (73), York (66) and Lakeland (42).

``It was a complete surprise the way the meet turned out,'' Nansemond River boys coach Arnice Monroe said. ``I kind of thought Lakeland would win the meet. But I'm really pleased because I was hoping we would be in the running. And we were.''

Nansemond River's Randall White took first place in the long jump (21 feet, 9 inches) and triple jump (43-5). Teammate Keith Mayfield won the 400 meters (51.43) and Kenji Towns took the 800 (2:06.6). And the Warriors won 4x100 relay (43.13) and 4x400 (3.28.4).

But the performance of the day belonged to Faulk.

The senior won the 100 (10.61) and 200 (21.68) in area-best times. Faulk's time of 21.57 in the 200 trials unofficially ranks in the top 10 in the nation.

``I wanted to come out here and prove that Group AA school can run with Group AAA school,'' he said. ``So I'm very happy with my individual performance.''

In other events, Nansemond River's Monica Southall took third in the 100 hurdles (16.21) and the triple jump (32-10 3/4). by CNB