THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 24, 1996 TAG: 9610240552
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 35 lines
Western Branch's Billy McGlaughon came through the trees, about the final half mile of the race, without another runner in sight Wednesday at Sleepy Hole Park. Same for Great Bridge's Tracy O'Neal.
McGlaughon ran in 15:36 and O'Neal 19:08 as the pair led their teams to the Southeastern District cross country championships. McGlaughon finished nearly 30 seconds in front of teammate Mark Manny (16:04) while O'Neal was 56 seconds better than Western Branch's Emily Thomas (20:04).
``She's been about a minute ahead of everybody else,'' Wildcat coach Mike Colaiacovo said.
Great Bridge finished with 35 points while Western Branch was second with 52.
For McGlaughon, the area's top-ranked boys' runner, the district meet was just a prelude.
``He's in great shape but he's not in peak shape,'' Bruin coach coach Bill Volkman said of McGlaughon. ``He's getting focused for the regionals and the state. . . . He's been on a mission the whole year.''
The Eastern Region meet is in a week, at Newport News City Park.
In addition to having the top two runners, Western Branch had three in the top four and had 34 points. Brian Walsh took third place (16:23) for Great Bridge, second with 58 points, which competed without top runner Jason Santucci. The previously fourth-ranked sophomore runner was dismissed from the team last week for undisclosed disciplinarian reasons.
``We've moved on as a group and we're past that,'' Colaiacovo said. ``Throughout the season, you could say should have, could have, would have, but we've moved on.'' by CNB