THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 16, 1996 TAG: 9605150189
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY KEITH POMPEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE if James Dabney doesn't respond to questions concerning last Friday's Bay Rivers District track and field meet, in which Lakeland finished fourth in the boys team championship. Dabney, the Cavaliers' coach, would rather concentrate on his team's chance at winning tomorrow's Region I meet at Christopher Newport.
``(Tomorrow) is another day,'' Dabney said. ``We are going to have to go out there and regroup. We didn't go strong in the relays because we had too many kids hurt.''
Injuries to LaRon Claude (ankle) and Phoenix Long (hamstring) shattered Lakeland's quest of winning a second consecutive district title. Poquoson edged Nansemond River 85-84 for the team title. The Cavaliers had 74 points.
``I thought we had a chance of winning the district,'' Dabney said. ``I didn't think we were going to go out like that. When Phoenix went down, I still thought we could pull it out. I thought LaRon was able to go. But after he went down, it was just too many people to hide.''
Lakeland lost more team points when Kevin Knight did not run in the final of the 100. After posting a time of 10.99 in the trials, the freshman sprinter passed on the final to play in a baseball game against Smithfield.
All three are expected back for the region meet. Baseball season ended Tuesday and Claude and Long have been receiving treatment.
Things weren't all bad for Lakeland at the district meet. In fact, the Cavs' Melvin Faulk was probably the star of the competition. He set meet records in the 100 (10.61) and 200 (21.57), took third in the triple jump (42-1 1/2) and anchored Lakeland's fourth-place 4x100 relay (44.64).
Nansemond River athletes also enjoyed a big meet.
Randell White won the long jump (21 feet, 9 inches) and triple jump (43-5); Keith Mayfield won his second-consecutive district 400 title (51.43); Kenjito Towns took the 800 (2:06.6); and the Warriors won the 4x100 (43.13).
``It was a complete surprise the way the meet turned out,'' Nansemond River 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 for the title and we were.''
The Nansemond River girls - third at the district meet - will be led in the region meet by Monica Southall.
Last week, Southall took third in the 100 hurdles (16.21), third in the triple jump (32-10 3/4) and fourth in the 300 hurdles (52.02). Then she joined Tamika Mayfield, Harvenia Demon and Yvette Edwards on the Warriors third-place 4x400 (4:38.1).
The fourth-place Lakeland girls will be led by Cherri Phillips and Lateacia Manley.
Phillips took second in the long jump (16-6 1/2) and Manley was second in the 100 hurdles (15.75). ILLUSTRATION: TRACK AND FIELD
Staff photo by MIKE HEFFNER
Lakeland's Melvin Faulk set district meet records in the 100 (10.61)
and 200 (21.57) and took third place in the triple jump.
by CNB