Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 1, 1990                   TAG: 9004300010
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JEFF MOTLEY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

BLACKSBURG'S CHANCES GOOD THIS SEASON IN GIRLS' TRACK MEET

For the first time, Blacksburg has depth and quality performers on every part of its team.

The solid lineup, a large coaching staff and a potentially dazzling freshman are the key reasons that coach Susan Earles-Price's first season could become a dream season.

In four meets so far, the Indians are undefeated. Among the wins were the Wytheville Invitational and All American Relays.

"As usual, the strength of our team lies in the distances, but there is a lot more to it than that," Earles-Price said. "But now our sprinters are starting to cruise. But our real strength is that we have 43 people on our team and that way we have plenty of depth at every spot."

One luxury that Earles-Price has is the benefit of two assistant coaches. She says that is the only way she can handle such a big team.

"I have Kim Oliver, who works with our sprinters and hurdlers, and Dorothea Ku, a heptathlete at Tech, handles all the techniques of field events and overall learning how to do certain things properly," Earles-Price said. "That leaves me to deal with the conditioning aspect and the distances. It makes things so much easier."

Another person who should make Earles-Price's job easier in the coming years is Katie Ollendick. Only a freshman, Ollendick qualified for the state meet in the 400-meters in her first race ever. She has also been the spark for the team in the 100, 200 and high jump.

"Katie is just an unbelievable freshman," Earles-Price said. "She is a real story."

But Ollendick isn't the only star on this team. Distance runner Jenny Atkisson has qualified for the state meet in the 1600, but is only one of about six distance runners that Earles-Price calls "neck-and-neck."

Blacksburg will still have its hands full to win the district, though. The race is tight, with Radford, Christiansburg and Giles all having a shot at the top spot.

The Bobcats were the team to beat last year, with stars Millicent Shabazz and Traci Housel, but its talent has gone to the collegiate level and the Bobcats aren't quite as strong.

"The girls are pretty even, but Blacksburg would have to be considered the favorite," said Norman Lineburg, who coaches Radford track but devotes most of his time to the boys' team. Tony DeHart handles most of the girls' coaching duties.

The Bobcats aren't without some strong runners, though. Cyndie Lewis leads the team in the 100 and 200, anchors the relays and stars in the long and triple jump. Radford also is solid in the distances with Tonya Weddle. Deitra Dobbins and twins Sharmelle and Shauntelle Turner handle the discus and shot put well.

Giles and Christiansburg may not be quite as strong as the top two, but they aren't far off. The Blue Demons have Hollie Slusser, who broke the school record in the 800 and is one of the region's overall top performers. Christiansburg also is competitive in the sprints and the jumps. The weakness is in the field events.

Giles, like Christiansburg, relies heavily on the strength of its jumpers and sprinters. While the Spartans boast a dual meet victory over Christiansburg this year, that could mean little in the long run.

Pulaski County, the lone Roanoke Valley District member in the New River Valley, hasn't fared well in dual meets, but that isn't discouraging first-year coach Betty Holcomb.

"We beat Franklin County, but lost to PH [Patrick Henry] and [William] Fleming," Holcomb said. "But I think in a big meet situation, we can score fairly well and be OK. Heading into the district meet, I really think we can place really well."

The Cougars' success in the district meet could rely heavily on Natoya Webb. The junior sprinter runs the 100, 200 and the relays, along with the long jump and triple jump. She is undefeated this year in the long jump and has finished no worse than second in the triple jump. Junior Ericka Scofield is another top sprinter who leads the team in the hurdles.

Another junior, Melissa Montgomery, has finished no worse than second in the shot put or the discus, and Tina Jones has been the top runner in the 1,600 and 3,200 in every meet this year for the Cougars.

Over in the Mountain Empire District, Floyd County is a heavy favorite to win the district and the regional title, although coach Winfred Beale plays it down.

"I think we might be the team to beat in the district, but we will be tested by Galax and Narrows," Beale said. "I wouldn't go so far as to say the region or state, we would have to do real well."

But Beale has all but one returnee from last year's Region C championship team, and he has state champ Pam Lemons, who was the top Group A performer in both the 100 and 200 last year. She also may run some 400 and join the relay team in time for the state meet.

The Buffaloes have two other state qualifiers in Nikki Tesser, who placed last year in the 3,200, and Gina Nichols in the 300 hurdles.

Lemons is also the team's only senior. Even after she graduates, though, Beale's teams could become a permanent fixture at the state meet.

Narrows could give the Buffaloes a little competition for the title, but it's doubtful. There are some good athletes on the Green Wave squad, but not enough.

As for Shawsville, not enough is the key word. The lack of people out for the team has left the Shawnees with little hope for any kind of team finish.

The Auburn Eagles are another New River area team that will spend the year looking up at Floyd County. There are some good competitors on the Auburn squad, but it's not likely they'll touch the powerful Buffaloes.