DATE: Thursday, September 18, 1997          TAG: 9709170194

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JAY LIDINGTON, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   74 lines

PENINSULA CATHOLIC FAVORED IN BOYS AND GIRLS RACES BUT IT CAN EXPECT COMPETITION AT THE END OF THE SEASON FROM CAPE HENRY AND WALSINGHAM.

Peninsula Catholic appears to be the pick to win the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools (TCIS) boys and girls cross country titles this year.

Cape Henry and Walsingham should also figure prominently at the end of the season, coaches said.

A look at local TCIS teams:

Norfolk Academy

Coach: Ken Lampert

Top girls runners: Mimi Chandler, Fr.; Kathleen Toone, Jr.; Marie Bryan, So.; Mersine Bryan, Fr.; Marian Troutman, Fr.; Caitlin Smith, Fr.; Katherine Economos, So.

Top boys runners: Michael Butts, Jr.; Zach Lampert, Fr.; Ted Lampert, Jr.; Michael Kellam, So.; Walker Muncey, So.; Carter Harrison, Fr.; Brian Rainey, So.

Outlook: The Academy girls team graduated three All-TCIS runners and lost a senior to transfer. Lampert said he has high expectations for the remaining runners and is looking to next year. Four of the top six boys runners are gone from last year's team and this year's version should be decent, Lampert said.

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Coach: Dicky Sherrill

Top girls runners: Aimee Gibbs, So.; Jackie Fuller, So.; Amanda Naghiu, Fr.; Rachel Moore, So.; Sarah Cuthrell, Fr.; Felicia Thurman, 8th.

Top boys runners: Greg Pickler, Fr.; Chris Kornman, So.; Grey Brothers, 8th; Brendan Black, Fr.

Outlook: Sherrill's boys team features plenty of newcomers and should be in rebuilding mode. Gibbs, Fuller, Naghiu and Moore are the strength of the girls team and are looking for support from newcomers.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

Coach: Trip Hobbs

Top girls runners: Not available

Top boys runners: William Johnson, Jr.; Michael Edwards, So.; Justin Pyle, So.; Kirk Blandford, Sr.; Billy Chorey.

Comments: The N-SA boys team is young and inexperienced.

Norfolk Christian

Coach: Tom Miesse

Top girls runners: Laura Santacruz, Sr.; Courtney Hubbard, Sr.; Michelle Boling, Fr.; Jodi Borden, Jr.; Trish Bebee, Sr.; Stacey Sullivan, Sr.; Julia Rose, Jr.

Top boys runners: Jimmy Benson, So.; Tim Owens, Sr.; Peter Turner, So.; Chris Jackson, Sr.; Bert Swink, Jr.

Outlook: Santacruz was all-conference as a sophomore, but fought stress fractures last year. If she remains healthy, she should perform well in the TCIS. The boys team lost three of four runners from last year and the team's success will depend on new runners in the 3-5 spots.

Catholic

Coach: Tommy Holland

Top girls runners: Mary Ellen Price; Meghan Molloy; Beth Harzold; Shannon Connery; Caitlin Connery; Jennifer Portner.

Top boys runners: Martin Thomas, Sr.; Tim Dutton, So.; Pat Blind, Sr.; David Marroni, Sr.; David Harmeyer, Jr.; Donnie Rice, Sr.

Outlook: Holland believes the girls team needs to work hard and time will tell how successful it will be. The boys team features a ``hard-working'' attitude that could contend for the TCIS title. MEMO: Editor's note: The Virginian-Pilot did not receive information

from Norfolk Collegiate for this preview.Editor's note: The Sun did not

receive information from Norfolk Collegiate. KEYWORDS: TCIS CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW

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