THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 25, 1996 TAG: 9601250535
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Western Branch long jumper Clayton Porter is drawing attention from college scouts throughout the Atlantic Coast Conference and the state.
An honor student, Porter will be gunning for a Southeastern District long jump record when the annual indoor meet comes up Feb. 9-10.
Porter set the Western Branch indoor long jump record last year and matched it again this season with a leap of 23 feet, 6 inches. Western Branch coach Wade Williams believes Porter has the ability to reach 25 feet. The district meet record is 22-4 1/2, set by Churchland's Chris Edmond in 1993.
The versatile Porter also is a contender in the 55-meter dash and the triple jump and runs on one of the Bruins' relay units. Western Branch has won the last two district boys crowns in the indoor meet.
GYMNASTICS: When it comes to bad luck with injuries, Kellam has had its share the last two years.
When the Knights won the Group AAA state team title two years ago, then senior-leader Lisa Binetti tore an anterior cruciate ligament during the competition.
Last year, Leigh Wallace suffered the same injury and state champion hopeful Brook Sawyer incurred a slight fracture of the tibia, dashing the Knights' hopes of repeating.
Both gymnasts are back this season and are 100 percent. Sawyer has the highest all-around score registered at the Beach at 37.85 while Wallace is the emotional leader of the team as the lone senior.
If the Knights are to regain their state title, they can ill-afford any more injuries.
``It's just been bad luck,'' coach Debi Strausbaugh said. ``The good thing is that Leigh and Brooke aren't being cautious. They're feeling comfortable and not holding back.''
The Knights will have to set their sights on post-season championships, however, as a early-season loss to Cox will likely leave Kellam in second place.
``(Cox) has such great depth and was awesome that night,'' Strausbaugh said. ``It was only our first meet of the season and losing to them is making us work that much harder.''
SWIMMING: Kelley Harkins continues her stellar season in the pool for Lake Taylor. Harkins, a senior who also swims for the Old Dominion Aquatic Club, is unbeaten in the district this season.
Harkins (12-0) was the lone winner for Lake Taylor last week against Maury. Maury coach Ann Laughner said she had hoped Harkins would meet freshman Carrie Richardson in that dual. ``Both times we saw Lake Taylor, she hasn't swam the same events as Kelley,'' Laughner said. ``They might meet in districts.''
Harkins is a year-round swimmer aiming for a college scholarship. She prefers freestyle distance, but Titans coach Cheryl Jennison said she can count on Harkins anywhere. ``I put her in at the 50 free and she swam a :28,'' Jennison said.
Harkins' younger sisters, Erin and Amber, also swim for the Titans, as does younger brother Sean.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Nansemond River will put its unblemished record on the line Friday when it travels to Smithfield for a Bay Rivers District game.
The Warriors (12-0 overall, 7-0 district) haven't lost to a district opponent since the 1993-94 season.
``We've only had two matches since Dec. 18 (because of the snowstorm), so that's made it kind of difficult,'' said Warriors coach Nancy Richey, whose team has seven seniors. ``Exams have given them a break (from school), so maybe now we can get some renewed interest.''
Nansemond River's last loss came to Fort Defiance in a Group AA state quarterfinal last season. MEMO: Staff writers Bill Leffler, Lee Tolliver, Vicki L. Friedman and Jami
Frankenberry contributed to this story.
by CNB