THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610250777
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: 38 lines
A new era in Eastern District cross country began Thursday as Churchland captured its first boys team tournament banner. The Truckers' Robbie Williams (16:25) and Granby's Angie Buchanan (20:49) set individual course records over the Churchland High course.
While the Churchland boys defeated nearest competitor and former Southeastern District foe Wilson 39-68, the Granby girls snapped Maury's three-year grip on the league title by a 29-45 margin.
``Buchanan has made all the difference,'' Maury coach Walt Green said. ``She's taken (Granby) to the next level.
``This is the first time I've lost this one. We just didn't race well. But I have to tip my hat to Granby. They ran a great race.''
Green and the Commodores will get the chance to avenge the loss at next Thursday's Eastern Region meet at Newport News Park. The top four boys and girls teams and the top 15 individuals advanced.
Williams and Buchanan each delivered stellar perfomances - outdistancing their closest opponents by 19 seconds and 18 seconds, respectively - despite having difficulities with the course.
``It was a little hot out here,'' said Williams, the area's No. 3 runner in the Virginian-Pilot's boys poll. ``And I didn't feel that well. I started to cramp.''
Buchanan, a 14-year-old freshman who ranks No. 8 in the girls poll, got off to a slow start and didn't pull away until midway through the race.
``I didn't do too good today,'' she said. ``I pulled off out front and then I slowed up. I knew I had good speed, but I wasn't sure if my shins were going to start bothering me.
``But I'm really proud of myself. I didn't think I was going to win because I'm only a freshman. I remember last year when I was in eighth grade all I heard about was Maury.'' by CNB