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

DATE: Saturday, May 18, 1996                 TAG: 9605180458
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS                       LENGTH: Medium:   57 lines

LAKELAND BOYS GRAB REGION I TRACE TITLE BRUTON'S GIRLS POST EIGHT FIRSTS IN DEFENDING THEIR REGION CROWN.

Without three key performers, the Lakeland boys track team finished a disappointing fourth in last week's Bay Rivers District meet. But with two of the three back, the Cavaliers proved Friday that the regular season was no fluke at the Region I, Group AA meet at Christopher Newport University.

The Cavaliers, who had not lost to a Group AA team before last week, got nine top-three finishes and 80 points to beat Poquoson (67) and Nansemond River (55) for their second straight region title. Smithfield (48) and Southampton (46) finished fifth and sixth.

The Bruton girls also defended their region title, finishing with 137 points, in front of York (59), Southampton (57), Nansemond River (56) and Lakeland (40).

``We knew we had to prove ourselves again,'' said Lakeland's Melvin Faulk, who finished first in the 100- and 200-meter runs. ``People saw us lose and thought, `They're going down,' but we knew we still had a strong team. We just had people hurt.''

Hurdler LaRon Claude (turned ankle) and distance runner Andy Franklin (ear infection) returned after missing last week to provide valuable points for the Cavaliers boys.

Claude finished fifth in the 110 hurdles, while Franklin came in sixth in the 1600 and 3200 runs. Sprinter Phoenix Long pulled a hamstring and may not return this season.

``I didn't know how I'd react,'' said Claude, who hadn't competed for two weeks. ``I just needed to build my confidence back up. Now I'm ready for (the state meet).''

``We accepted (last week's results),'' said Lakeland coach James Dabney. ``We had a better team than we showed. Now we saw the team that should have been out there last week.''

Faulk was the only Cavalier to place first. But Lindell Hunter (400) and James Pruden (1600) finished second and Kevin Knight (200), Pruden (800) and Darius Bryant (shot put) placed third. Lakeland was also second in the 4x100 relay and third in the 4x400.

Other winners in the boys competition included: Southamton's Ohnja Bynum (discus), Rodney Darden (high jump) and Rico Ivey (triple jump) and Nansemond River's Keith Mayfield (400). The Warriors' 4x100 team of Temetrius Robinson, Mayfield, Clarence Skinner and Vernon Woodson also placed first.

In the girls competition, Bruton took first place in eight of the 16 events.

Southampton's Kristy Ferguson won the 1600 and 3200 runs, while Nansemond River's Demetria Beamon (200) and Monica Southall (long jump) and Lakeland's Lateacia Manley (100) earned second. Nansemond River's 4x100 team of Morita Neal, Shaunta Hewitt, Laketa Mayfield and Beamon also placed first.

The top six individuals advance to the state meet Saturday at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. by CNB