THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 12, 1996 TAG: 9609100128
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 95 lines
With four all-district stars returning, Maury remains the cross country team to beat in the newly aligned Eastern District. Coach Walt Green's Commodores, going for their sixth consecutive crown, have five girls vying for the top spot: senior Jennifer Warren, juniors Emily Kirsch, Courtney Dozier and sophomore Sarah Grady. Katie Connors, who sat out last year, will also contend.
Wilson, led by junior Yael Lewis, could challenge with eight runners competing. Granby also has a balanced attack with six returning starters.
The rest of the Eastern District continues to struggle with depth, but could be helped by a new rule that allows team scores to be tabulated with four runners instead of the usual five if both coaches agree.
In the rest of South Hampton Roads, Kempsville and First Colonial are strong in the Beach District and Western Branch should win the Southeastern District.
Around the Eastern District:
MAURY
Coach: Walt Green
Last year's record: 8-0
Key returners: Emily Kirsch, Sarah Grady, Courtney Dozier, Jennifer Warren, Whitney Houland, Ashley Bennett, Katie Connors
Top newcomers: Leandra Bessell, Amy Kennedy, Anna Kirsch
Analysis: Maury should run away with its sixth consecutive district crown and make its third straight state appearance. Four all-district runners return: senior Warren, juniors Emily Kirsch and Dozier, and sophomore Grady. Connors, the eighth runner on the 1994 state qualifying team, sat out last year but could challenge for the top spot.
NORVIEW
Coach: Tanya Echols-Payton
Last year's record: Not given
Key runners: Latoya Elliott, Jenesha Gibson, Terrie Moore, Nikki Perez
Top newcomers: Diana Martin, Michelle Reese
Analysis: Seniors Elliott and Moore and junior Gibson all bring track experience.
CHURCHLAND
Coach: Clarence Brown
Last year's record: Not enough runners to field a team
Key runners: Sarah Hudson, Amber Cook, Elizabeth Brown, Trina Clemons
Analysis: Churchland is a young team with three sophomores and one freshman. Hudson and Cook both ran track last season, and both competed on the 2-mile relay team. Brown is hoping to pick up some additional runners.
GRANBY
Coach: David Jacobs
Last year's record: 5-1
Key returners: Madeline Benthin
Top newcomers: Jaquetta Harrell, Joy Martin, Marquita Morton, Lucia Treto, Lina Brown
Analysis: The Comets are without one superstar runner but balanced.
WILSON
Coach: Roger K. Smith
Last year's record: 6-2
Key returners: Yael Lewis, Chamae Barringer, Julia Roulhac, Brandy Upton, Lavina Falzone
Top newcomers: Shaneka Ghee, Kathryn Keady, Leslie Neal
Analysis: Lewis finished 15th in the Southeastern District last fall and the Presidents were third in the team race, the school's best showing in 10 years. Although the team is young, with only one senior, Wilson expects to challenge Maury.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Coach: Wilbert Shearin
Last year's record: Not given
Top returners: Charity Thomas
Key newcomers: Precious Wilder
Analysis: Shearin moves over from coaching volleyball to cross country this season. Depth will continue to hurt the Bookers, led by Thomas, a junior.
LAKE TAYLOR
Coach: Floyd Conley
Last year's record: 1-5.
Key returners: Zeta Wilson, Kenya Elliott, Juritus Thompson, Kim Gilliam.
Analysis: The Titans probably will not be able to figure in any team scoring as they have only four runners. But at least all of them ran a year ago.
NORCOM
Coach: Danny S. Hill
Last year's record: Not given
Key returners: Tensha Grey, Leah Godwin, Ton Shannon
Top newcomers: Tramine Towe, Nadiyah Vass, Krystal Belfield
Analysis: Youth and inexperience will hinder Norcom. by CNB