THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 8, 1996 TAG: 9609060219
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 105 lines
The Western Branch girls cross country team is a heavy favorite in the newly aligned Southeastern District. The Bruins return four starters, led by juniors Emily Thomas and Angela Cusick, and have 10 competing this fall.
``Since Great Bridge and Hickory have split their teams, I feel our girls have an excellent chance of winning the district title, barring injuries,'' says Western Branch coach Bill Volkman.
Also in the hunt: Great Bridge and Hickory. Defending district champion Great Bridge lost junior Jessica Scott and sophomore Dawn Trueblood to Hickory. The Wildcats are led by Tracy O'Neal, the top runner in the district last season. Former First Colonial coach Mike Colaiacovo is the new Wildcats' coach and says he will emphasize recruiting to build a nucleus for the upcoming years.
Deep Creek returns three starters and has good numbers, but it's a young team led by senior Holly Slepin. Lakeland and Nansemond River continue to struggle with depth but could be helped by a new rule that allows team scores to be tabulated using four runners instead of the traditional five if both coaches agree.
In the rest of South Hampton Roads, Maury, Kempsville and First Colonial remain the teams to beat. Senior Adrienne Parker of Kempsville remains the area's best runner.
A look around the Southeastern District:
HICKORY
Coach: Matthew Puryear
Last year's record: First-year school
Key runners: Dawn Trueblood, Jessica Scott, Amber Eakes
Analysis: Puryear will rely on Trueblood, a second-year runner, and Scott, a third-year runner, to provide the leadership necessary to establish the program. He also has six first-year runners out for the team.
DEEP CREEK
Coach: Scott Hughes
Last year's record: 8-4
Key returners: Karyn Healy, Holly Slepin, Kristy Keller
Top newcomers: Karly Green, Terrika Span, Raiena Smith, Adriane Muncher, Julia Waller, Kristina Thorsten
Analysis: Three starters return, but Deep Creek has depth with nine runners on its roster.
WESTERN BRANCH
Coach: Bill Volkman
Last year's record: 4-1
Key returners: Emily Thomas, Angela Cusick, Melissa McManus, Cheri Newman
Top newcomers: Valerie Wong, Shenine Thomas, Lakisha Steele, Jenny Amit, Kelly Manny, Renee Ferguson
Analysis: Thomas, a junior, was the Bruins' top runner last season until she was hampered by an ankle injury, giving Cusick the top spot. McManus also was hindered by a stress fracture. Wong ran JV as an eighth-grader and won the middle school 800 in 2:25.8. Without seniors, Volkman is building a solid nucleus, and barring injuries this season, expects to go to state.
GREAT BRIDGE Coach: Mike Colaiacovo
Last year's record: Not given
Top returners: Tracy O'Neal, Jennifer Norris, Lauren Passero, Katie Rawls
Top newcomers: Katrina Williams, Katrina Rowson, Shannon Greco, Sandy Wittman, Brandy Jackson
Analysis: Colaiacovo is in his first year at Great Bridge, having formerly coached at First Colonial. With Great Bridge losing so many runners to Hickory, Colaiacovo expects a rebuilding year. O'Neal won the district last season and ran sixth in the region.
LAKELAND
Coach: David Wessel
Last year's record: Did not field a complete team
Key returners: Janet Chapman
Analysis: Chapman, a junior, was all-Bay Rivers District and all-region last fall. Wessel is hoping to add runners as the season continues.
NANSEMOND RIVER
Coach: Tanya Reed
Last year's record: 3-3
Key returners: Anna Stevens, Elizabeth Woodard, Dana Spencer, Angelina Roybal, Nikki Davies
Analysis: Reed thinks Nansemond River could be a threat after finishing fourth in the Bay Rivers District and fourth in the region last fall.
INDIAN RIVER
Coach: Tim Wolf
Last year's record: Not available
Key returners: Sarah Jones, Jessica Sanderlin
Analysis: Junior Jones and sophomore Sanderlin will vie for the top spot. The Braves continue to strug gle with depth under first-year coach Wolf. Amanda Hurst, who is a top newcomer, broke her collarbone and wrist in a biking accident. Wolf hopes she is ready by the district meet.
OSCAR SMITH
Coach: Ed Lowery
Last year's record: Fifth in the district last year
Key returners: Katie Kraemer, Wendy Golt
Top newcomers: Sharnnia Artist, Sara Curtain, Meg Pearce
Analysis: Oscar Smith's top returners also play other sports: Kraemer plays field hockey and Golt plays volleyball. Artist is captain of the volleyball team and was all-district in the outdoor 800 and ran on the district championship 4 x 800 relay team. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Kraemer by CNB