Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 10, 1993 TAG: 9310110359
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Highlanders' sophomore beat the field, headed by Pulaski County's Jennifer Pohlig, by nearly two minutes. She was joined in victory by a host of Cave Spring runners as the Knights dominated the rest of the meet, starting with boys' champion Jason Dowdy, who rallied in the last few minutes to win.
The Knights won the boys' and girls' team crowns with little trouble. There was an anxious moment when one of Cave Spring's top boys, Dave Propst, dropped out with an injury.
"Even I wasn't sure we'd win the team title [after that]," said Joe LaRocco, who coaches both teams.
Nervo, whose time of 19 minutes, 26.1 seconds, bettered the course record of 19:49 she set as a freshman, became confused at an early turn.
"I didn't know which way to go. But I only stopped about five seconds," Nervo said.
Pohlig was surprised to see Nervo standing there.
"She turned around and asked me where to go," said Pohlig, who has been waxing the competition regularly in the Roanoke Valley District this fall.
After the pause, the girls set out and Nervo pulled in front so far that her only challenge was running fast enough for a good time.
After winning the Metro and Group A state girls' titles as a freshman, Nervo did little in spring distance running.
"I felt terrible in the spring, but over the summer I lost a lot of weight," Nervo said. "I was nervous today. I had heard she [Pohlig] was beating everyone, and I had trouble on the hills today. Usually I do well on them."
Pohlig, who said she hadn't heard of Nervo until reading about her in the paper on Saturday, wasn't dissatisfied with her own performance.
"I think I ran well today. I've improved. Coach [Lauren] Hall has helped me so much," said the Cougars senior.
Cave Spring's Claire Rotramel finished fourth behind Patrick Henry's Amy Speas. She beat out Cave Spring teammate Molly Rutherford, and Laura Henry was eighth to give the Knights three of the top runners.
"We don't have an outstanding girl runner," LaRocco said. "One time Claire wins, one time it's Molly and another it's Laura. I never know which one will finish as our top runner."
Dowdy gained revenge by beating Franklin County's David Angell, who defeated him in a race this spring at Pulaski County. Angell led from the start until the last part of the race when Dowdy zoomed past.
"I wasn't sure I'd get him. I hit a wall early, and I eased off toward the fields. Coming down the last hill, I was closing in on him really quickly. I figured he was dying. After I passed him, I felt fine. I was able to run hard again," Dowdy said.
Angell, who was on a school trip and missed a district meet against Dowdy this past week, said, "I think I went out too fast. He just caught up to me. I'll look forward to seeing him in the district again."
Dowdy led Cave Spring's domination in the boys' race as teammates Brandon Bourney (sixth), Corey Ring (seventh) and Dowdy's younger brother, Ben Dowdy (eighth), more than made up for the loss of Propst. \
for complete scoring, see microfilm
by CNB