DATE: Thursday, September 11, 1997          TAG: 9709100172

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 11   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   70 lines

GRANBY COMETS COULD EMERGE FROM A CROWDED FIELD

One thing is clear in the Eastern District boys cross country race: There is no clear favorite, although Granby, led by Delano Harris, is considered the favorite. Harris, the district champ in the 1,600, is coming off a terrific summer of training that could boost him to an individual title.

Churchland junior Ben Booth, fourth in the district last fall, could also bring home league honors along with Wilson's Mike Barner. The Truckers are the defending district champs but need to rely on their newcomers to compete. Wilson should also contend. The rest of the league suffers with lack of depth and experience.

Around the area Kellam is favored in the Beach and Great Bridge in a tight Southeastern.

A look at the Eastern District:

GRANBY

Coach: David Jacobs

Top runners: Delano Harris, Mike Brown, Eric Bates, Aaron Breeck, Nathan Smith, Barry Clark

Outlook: Led by state qualifier Harris, the Comets should contend for the district title.

MAURY

Coach: Barbara Matthewson

Top runners: Tim Otten, Ron Dowling, Terry Gibbs, Tyrik Khabeer, Jamaal Dowling, PJ Magnam

Outlook: With five returnees, expect the Commodores to be strong. Former Norfolk Collegiate coach Matthewson takes over for veteran coach Walt Green.

NORCOM

Coach: Preston Watson

Top runners: Antwan Coley, Delvin Jackson, Marcus Dorsett

Outlook: Behind the experience of seniors Jackson and Dorsett, Norcom should improve from last season's 1-5 mark.

CHURCHLAND

Coach: Clarence Brown

Top runners: Ben Booth, Kasim Barnes, Mike Dettmer, Patrick Comstock, Wesley Slye, Patrick McFadden

Outlook: The defending district champions need their newcomers to step up to stay with the Comets. Booth, fourth in the district last fall, should contend for individual honors.

LAKE TAYLOR

Coach: Floyd Conley

Top runner: Apollo Richardson

Outlook: The Titans' top three runners graduated, leaving the team in a rebuilding state.

NORVIEW

Coaches: N. Jenkins, D. Miller

Top runners: Scott Halstead, Melvin Williams, Robin Bagley, Bryan Heckstall, Darnell Jefferson

Outlook: The Pilots have a solid top three but need to fill the four and five spots to challenge.

WILSON

Coach: Roger Smith

Top runners: Carlito Hamlin, Anthony Barner, Matt Neil, DeShaun Bradberry, Maurice Cyler

Outlook: Pilots could contend for district title. Barner could be one of the Eastern's top guys. KEYWORDS: EASTERN DISTRICT BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

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