Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 1, 1990 TAG: 9004300069
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JEFF MOTLEY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
There is little doubt that the powerful Christiansburg team will run away with the district title, and they probably will have little trouble in the region. And don't rule out a state trophy come the end of May.
"We've won three of the last four districts and two of the past three regionals, and I like to think we are a contender this year," Christiansburg coach Randy Bailey said. "It's not out of the realm of possibility that we could win the state because it doesn't take as many points. . . . But it would be foolish for me to go making a prediction."
Whether Bailey wants to predict or not, his team is loaded. The distance tandem of Harley Johnson and Brian Eigel and sprinter Demond Wesley are the mainstays of the team, the ones most counted on to score at the state meet.
Christiansburg hasn't lost any dual meets, and it won the Wytheville Invitational and the All American Relays.
Not only is Christiansburg strong for this season, the future also looks bright. Only Johnson is graduating; the rest will return next year, including a trio of hurdlers, Eddie Bentley, Charles Hardy and Darrell Lucas, who are already making an impact.
The biggest challenge for the Demons will come from Blacksburg. The Indians have one of the area's better sprinters in Richie Crunkilton and one of the state's best distance runners in Lee Cross. Elliott Wheeler in the 800 and Jared Hamlin in the shot put also are contenders for district honors.
Radford is decent, but coach Norman Lineburg's squad probably won't touch the Demons. Sophomore Tommy Edwards is a terrific competitor for the Bobcats, though. He leads the team in the 200, 400, long jump and triple jump. Sophomore Duane Pierson, a long jumper, sprinter and hurdler, can also be counted on for valuable points.
Giles isn't likely to contend with the Demons, or the Bobcats, for that matter. There are a few good athletes on the Spartans squad, but not nearly enough to keep up with the rest of the district.
The only Roanoke Valley District squad in the valley, Pulaski County, is in a very tough district. The Cougars have a victory over Franklin County, but have lost to Patrick Henry and William Fleming.
The top performers for Pulaski include Jackie Bruce in the throwing events, D.J. Patterson, the team's top sprinter, and Tim Short, who is counted on in the distance events. One key sprinter who has been out with a hip injury is Kirk Hendricks. Hendricks, also an important Cougar football player, is expected back for the district meet.
In the Mountain Empire District, Floyd County and Galax will likely fight it out for the title.
"We are a young team," said coach Winfred Beale said. "We only have three seniors. When we race Galax we will get a good indication of just where we stand."
The strength of the Buffaloes is in the jumping events, with Shawn Carter handling the long, triple and high jumps.
Narrows may give Floyd and Galax a little trouble. The Green Wave is not bad in the field events or the sprints, but its distance running may be a problem.
Auburn is another school with some good athletes, but this seems to be the year for the Buffaloes and Maroon Tide. As for Shawsville, which doesn't have a track, little is expected.
by CNB