DATE: Thursday, April 3, 1997               TAG: 9704020209

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Spring Preview 

SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, SUN SPORTS EDITOR 

                                            LENGTH:  116 lines

SAINTS HAVE THE RIGHT TALENT TO CONTEND IN SEVERAL SPORTSEXPECT THE SCHOOL TO HAVE STRONG SHOWINGS IN GIRLS SOFTBALL, AND BOYS TENNIS, BASEBALL AND LACROSSE.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy has a plethora of talent returning for spring sports this season. The question now is do the coaches have enough chemistry to bring the school a few more championships?

Despite losing all-state players Sarah Putnam and Lea Wilson to graduation, the girls softball team has six returning starters including co-captains April Wescott and Katie Young. Under first-year coach Kim Aston, the Saints will carry the pressure of being the defending Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools champion and the runner-up in the Virginia Independent Schools State championship.

Led by Craig Rice, who has already accepted a scholarship to Appalachian State, the boys tennis team is expected to challenge Norfolk Collegiate for the conference title.

In boys lacrosse, first-year coach Jake Vickery is hoping all-TCIS performer Trey Parker will help guide the Saints to a winning record.

In baseball, standouts Dave Putnam and Mike Vizcaino will help the Saints contend. Defending champion Greenbrier Christian and Catholic are probably the teams to beat.

Both the boys and girls track teams lack depth, but have several individual standouts.

Here's a closer look at some of Nansemond-Suffolk's spring sports.

Boys lacrosse

Coach: Jake Vickery

Last year's record: 8-10

Key returners: Trey Parker (Sr., attack), Bryan Sharp (Sr., midfield), Jacob Johnson (Sr., midfield), Drew Rowell (Sr., midfield), Michael Barrett (Jr., midfield), Top Palmer (Sr., def.), and Jay Nixon (Jr., def.)

Outlook: First-year coach Vickery is excited about the return of Parker, an All-TCIS attacker. He says that his team of 12 seniors and 14 juniors is solid with excellent numbers. ``Good skills, team defense and a bit of good fortune should keep us contenders throughout the season,'' Vickery said.

Girls tennis

Coach: William Morris

Key returners: Freshmen - Kelly Walls, Ginna Brewbaker, Kate Esleeck, Elizabeth Jarvis, Courtney Walters; Sophomore - Aarh Mehta.

Newcomers: Eighth-graders - Ashlyn Reveley, Melissa Crabb, Mital Desai; Freshman - Jennifer Soforenko, Leslie Gwaltney.

Outlook: Morris will have to overcome growing pains as none of his 11 athletes have reached their junior or senior years.

Girls soccer

Coach: Tom Gill

Last year's record: 8-10

Key returners: Freshman - Jennifer Gaskins, defender. Sophomores - Tina Waker, midfielder. Seniors - Sarah Case, defender; Anna Felton, midfielder; Erin O'Berry, defender.

Newcomer: Sophomore - Amanda Skillen, midfielder.

Outlook: The Saints need to overcome the loss of nine seniors from last year's squad. However, Gill is confident that the five returning athletes, including three seniors, will have N-SA at its peak by May.

Softball

Coach: Kim Aston

Last year's record: 22-4

Key returners: April Wescott, senior, second base; Katie Young, senior, infield, centerfield; Allison Dunn, junior, shortstop; Leslie Warren, sophomore, catcher; Jennifer Johnson, junior, pitcher, rightfield; Meg McIntosh, junior, first base, pitcher.

Outlook: Aston feels N-SA has a group of hard-hitting, aggressive, fundamentally sound players. Aston's key to the season is to have one pitcher step up and establish a tone for the squad.

Boys tennis

Coach: Ray Carson

Key players: Craig Rice; Davey Slack; Lee Cross; Joe Cross; Will Carpenter; Mike Edward.

Outlook: Rice, a two-time state 18s champion, is one of the conference's top players. Lee Cross and Slack are returners who will help the Saints take a run at the title held for perennial TCIS power Norfolk Academy.

Baseball

Coach: Bill Harris

Last year: 18-6

Top players: Mike Vizcaino (OF); Ben Johnson (OF); Dave Putnam (C); Joe Riddick (Inf.); Andy Dunn (P); Kyle Snow (P).

Outlook: Vizcaino, who underwent shoulder surgery in the fall, is one of the best hitters in Hampton Roads, Harris says. If Putnam realizes his power potential the Saints should score enough runs. Pitching is the key to contending, however, and the Saints are unproven there. Snow and Dunn must translate their experience into success.

Boys track

Coach: John Jenkins

Key returners: Stephen Taylor, jumps and 400; Wes Leggett, middle distance and distance; Jevon Jenkins, jumps and sprints.

Outlook: The Saints only have 10 athletes on the team, so everyone will particpate in a number of events. Taylor has been a steady performer for four years. Jenkins qualified for the state meet as an eighth grader. Newcomer Bill Cridlin will help in the shot and discus.

Girls track

Coach: John Jenkins

Key returners: Elizabeth Parker, shot and discus; Lindsey Wood, sprints and jumps; Megan Payne, sprints and jumps; Erin Gillikin, 800 and 1,600; Carrie Anderson, hurdles; Erin Adkins, 400 and 800.

Outlook: Jenkins expects the team to be very competitive because there is a lot of veteran leadership and talent. Emily Esmaili, Katie Konefal, Amanda Pyle and Alexandra Filer are newcomers to watch. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by LAWRENCE JACKSON

Catholic High's Dan Hodermarsky, left, loses his stick and the ball

as he comes up on N-SA player Trey Parker in a lacrosse match.

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