DATE: Friday, September 12, 1997            TAG: 9709110228

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 17   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER 
                                            LENGTH:   90 lines

KNIGHTS' ROSTER OF VETERANS MAKES KELLAM THE TEAM TO BEAT

Led by two of the area's top runners, Kellam is the team to beat in Beach District cross country. The Knights are led by Ralph Denton and Parry Klages, who have five district titles between them. Denton is the indoor champion in the 1,000 and 1,600 and the outdoor champ in the 3,200. Klages is the outdoor champion in the 800 and 1,600. They lead a team of veterans whose biggest challenge should come from Kempsville and Cox.

Granby, led by Delano Harris, is strong in the Eastern District. Great Bridge and Western Branch are favored in a tight Southeastern District race.

A look around the Beach:

KEMPSVILLE

Coach: Kendall Tata

Top runners: Josh Kagan, Nathan Haddaway, Rob Seidel, Bryan Hickman, Ryan Harrison, Jason Bowles

Outlook: Led by senior Kagan, the returners from last year's 9-0 team are strong. The Chiefs need to find a No. 5 runner to compete for the title.

KELLAM

Coach: Bill Bernard

Top runners: Ralph Denton, Parry Klages, Jordan Sellers, Jared Rankins, Justin Snyder, Ryan Gero, Paul Cohen

Outlook: Led by Denton and Klages, who have five district titles in track between them, Kellam is the team to beat. Kellam's entire team, which finished third in the region, returns. Denton and Klages are among the area's best runners.

GREEN RUN

Coach: Billy Torbush

Top runners: Eric Mack, Cleo Hicks, Ferdie Cacatian, Bryan Lyman, Ron Carr, Shaun Lindemeyer

Outlook: Will look to newcomers Lyman, Carr and Lindemeyer to improve on last year's 3-6 record.

PRINCESS ANNE

Coach: Joe Panchik

Top runners: Kevin Rhue, Richard Anderson, David May, Brian Rocy, Adam Wilburn

Outlook: State competitor Rhue leads a group of young runners as Princess Anne tries to finish above .500.

SALEM

Coach: David Bowden

Top runners: Jermaun Sanford, Derek Lawhorn, John Parker, Jake Raymor, Ian Welpe, Andrew Cossaboon, Carlos Pena, David Pena, Chris Rowe

Outlook: Sanford, 15th in the region last fall, leads Salem's largest team ever of 15 boys. Freshmen, led by David Pena, could have immediate impact.

OCEAN LAKES

Coach: George Piccillo

Top runners: Ryan Ponton, Matt McQueeney, Brandon Klein, Dalton Head, Geoff Head

Outlook: Young team that will have trouble competing with an experienced district.

TALLWOOD

Coach: George Versprille

Top runners: Brian Francis, Craig Wolfe, Justin Scott, Neil Addesso, Reggie Batan

Outlook: With five returning starters, should improve from 2-8 record last fall.

COX Coach: Tim Webb

Top runners: Mike Hill, Garth Fry, Brad Sorgen, Todd West, Brannon Thomas, Matt Jerasa, Sky Watkins, Chris Rivers

Outlook: With the Falcons' depth and Fry in the No. 1 spot, Cox will challenge Kempsville and Kellam for the district's top spot.

FIRST COLONIAL

Coach: Paul Facteau

Top runners: J.P. Hebert, David Estill, Matt Emborski, Brett Young, Chris Baxley, Gray Summs

Outlook: Lots of depth for the Patriots, who are led by last year's No. 2 guy Estill. Facteau, former jayvee softball coach at Cox, is in his first year at First Colonial.

BAYSIDE

Coach: Lanny Doan

Top runners: Brock Ackiss, Drew Becker, Ian Becker, Jeremy Dow, Dan Hicks, Scott Mcants

Outlook: Young team led by returners Ian Becker and Mcants that looks to finish in the district's top half. KEYWORDS: BEACH DISTRICT BOYS CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu