THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 1996 TAG: 9602060134
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEITH POMPEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
WHEN THE BEACH district track and field championships start Thursday with field events at Green Run High School, the Salem girls will attempt to answer several questions. Among them . . .
Can the Sun Devils avenge last year's second-place finish to Bayside?
And will somebody end Maro Mitchell's unbeaten streak this season in the triple jump?
``Looking at the seedings, Bayside should run away with this meet,'' said Roy Ammons, the meet director.
With 24 girls, the Marlins have a big numbers advantage, but that doesn't bother the Sun Devils, who have only eight competitors.
``It's going to be competitive, but my main goal is to get our girls to the state meet,'' said coach Shrecee Purham, who sees this meet as just one step toward the state meet. ``We have always had a battle for one and two with Bayside.
``But Maro will win districts (in the triple jump). She is a very determined young lady. She knows what it takes to win.''
Purham might be right.
With a season-best jump of 36 feet, 1 inch, Mitchell has been nearly 2 feet better than the local competition. In addition to her four district victories, the Salem senior has also won the prestigious East Coast Invitational in Princeton, N.J., and the Viking Relays in Richmond.
Teammate Jameka Collins (34-4) figures to be Mitchell's closest competition at the district meet.
Mitchell, who is being recruited by N.C. State and others, is also the No.1 seed in the long jump (16-11).
And she's not the only Sun Devil favored to win an event.
Going into Saturday's running events at Tallwood, Jameka's older sister, Jonelle Collins, is second to none in the 500 meters (1:25.4).
``I always said Jonelle could be a Jackie Joyner Kersee type,'' Purham said of the junior. ``She high jumps, triple jumps and high hurdles. She is the one person that can do it all this year.''
And Tiffany Watson is the No. 1 seed in the 55-meter hurdles (8.40).
But Kyra Purham might not defend her 55-meter title. The junior pulled her hamstring and hasn't competed in the last two weeks.
``It doesn't look good,'' coach Purham said of her daughter.
With Purham out, Bayside's Lashonda Cutchins, is the favorite (7.15).
Here are the other No. 1 seeds:
GIRLS
High jump: Tallwood's Jennifer Luther (5-2). Shot put: Bayside's Iyawanna Steal (34-9 1/2). 300: Bayside's Cutchin (42.5). 1000: Princess Anne's Megan Kaminski (3:18). 1600: Princess Anne's Kaminski (5:29). 3200: Tallwood's Pam Edwards (11:54). 800 relay: Bayside (1:45.6). 1600 relay: Bayside (4:13.6), 3200 relay: Cox (10:56).
BOYS
It looks to be a three-team race between Salem, Green Run and Cox for the title. Here's the No. 1 seeds:
High jump: Salem's Gary Abra (6-6). Triple jump: Salem's Abra (43-1). Long jump: Kellam's Calvin Wilson (19-11). Shot put: Cox's Greg Reed (48.8). Pole vault: Cox's James Marsh (12-6). 55: Salem's Curtis Sanders (6.33). 55 hurdles: Salem's Mark Felton (7.5). 300: Green Run's Sevend Mason (35.93). 500: Green Run's Dwayne Gatlin (1:10). 1000: Cox's Jon Stroud (2:39.5). 1600: Cox's Patrick Hunt (4:31). 3200: Tallwood's Billy Edwards (10:01). 800 relay: Kellam (1:31.9). 1600 relay: Kellam (3:32.2). 3200 relay: Tallwood (8:28).
The top six individuals and top four relay teams qualify for the Eastern Region meet, which will be held Feb. 19 at Cox (field events) and Feb. 21 at Todd Stadium in Newport News (running events). ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo by PAUL AIKEN
Bayside's Lashonda Cutchins, left, may be the front-runner in the
55-meter hurdles and the 300-meter run. Her teammate, Tamika
Williams, right, will help make the Marlins strong in the relays as
well.
by CNB