THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 2, 1995 TAG: 9506020678
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Last year, Wilson High sprinter/ hurdler LaTasha Colander and Salem High hurdler Charles Reid were so much faster than the competition, they could have worn lead anklets and still won titles at the Group AAA state track meet.
And that's not unusual. Each year, it seems, there are one or two local athletes who are sure bets to win state crowns: performers like former Great Bridge pole vaulter Lawrence Johnson and former Norview hurdler Tonya Williams.
But not this year. Heading into this year's state meet, which begins today at 1 at Todd Stadium in Newport News, there are, as Maury coach Walt Green puts it: ``No sure things.''
That's not to say half-a-dozen or more athletes won't leave Todd with state medals Saturday afternoon. But each will have to be on top of his or her game.
The same thing holds true in the team competition. On the girls side, Bayside, with a handful of strong individuals and two competitive relay teams, could finish in the top three if all goes well.
On the boys side, Western Branch has a handful of sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers who could place high and two strong relay teams that could propel the Bruins into the top five. Churchland also has the potential to be heard from.
Here's a look at the individuals with the best chances at a state crown, and the top relay teams:
Deon Dyer, Deep Creek, shot put: The indoor state champion, Dyer has been in a groove lately, throwing well over 57 feet at both the Southeastern District and Eastern Region meets.
Tony Smith, Western Branch, 300 hurdles: May be the closest thing to a sure thing. Smith has run a 37.1, the fourth-fastest time in the nation by a high schooler this year.
Greg Boothe, Churchland, 100 and 200 meters: A tough runner who rises to the competition. Will get plenty of it from Ian Winston of Hayfield, defending champ in the 100 and 200.
LeVar Bowers, Norcom, discus: Scratched a 170-foot throw last week at the Eastern Region. A clean throw could win it.
Green Run, 4x100 boys relay: Defending state champs added two new legs this year without losing a step.
Jamie Kollar, First Colonial, discus: Kollar finished second last year with a throw of 129-3. She's slender for a discus thrower but has excellent form.
Michelle Thompson Bayside, Shnaka Walker, Lake Taylor, high jump: Both Thompson and Walker cleared 5-4 at last week's Eastern Region meet. Thompson won by having fewer misses. Both have cleared 5-7.
Thompson could also contend in the 200 meters.
Cheredia Carter, Oscar Smith, long jump: Carter won at the Eastern Region meet with a jump of 18-6 1/2. That would have placed her third in the state last year.
Sherlane Armstrong, Salem, triple jump: Armstrong has dominated this event all year, setting a Beach District record two weeks ago and winning the Eastern Region crown by nearly three feet last week. Armstrong was second in the state last year and second at the indoor nationals. She's been closing in on 40 feet, which should be enough to win.
Missey Banks, Norcom, shot put: Just a sophomore, Banks has consistently thrown over 40 feet, the kind of distance needed to win the state. Banks injured her right wrist at the Eastern Region meet but expected to be fine for the state meet.
LaShonda Cutchin, Bayside, 100 meters: Cutchin, a sophomore, blew away the field at the Beach District and Eastern Region meets. She's run 12.14 and will need to be in top form to beat Destyne Jones of Centreville, who won the Northern Region meet in 12.19.
Bayside, 400 and 1,600 girls relay: Team of Cutchin, Thompson, Twylite Pope and Tamika Williams won both relays at the Eastern Region meet. by CNB