DATE: Friday, September 12, 1997            TAG: 9709100219

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 18   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY BRIAN J. FRENCH, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   87 lines

GREAT BRIDGE GIVEN SLIGHT EDGE BASED ON RETURNING EXPERIENCE

THE GOOSE EGG has symbolized two different things for Western Branch's boys cross country team. Last year, it meant no regular-season losses. This year? It means no returning starters.

Three starters from last season graduated, and Lawrence Ward is foregoing cross country to play on the Bruins' top-ranked (as of press time) football team, leaving Western Branch with no seniors.

That leaves the door open for Great Bridge and its five returning starters. Brian Walsh is the team's best runner, taking the title from Jason Santucci, who transferred in the offseason. But Wildcats coach J.P. Banks is only guardedly optimistic, saying `it's too early to project anything.''

Indian River surprised many observers by placing third in the Southeastern and with seven returning starters, a return to the regionals is not out of the question.

Lakeland went 10-4 in its first season in Group AAA and returns four starters, including Andy Franklin and Keith Arthur, both on all-district teams for three years running.

Look for Hickory to be more competitive this season. The Hawks return four starters, including top runner Matthew Bruckner, and could sneak into the first division.

Unlike its Suffolk counterparts, Nansemond River struggled in its first Southeastern season, going winless. With only one returning starter, a lack of experience will be obvious again.

GREAT BRIDGE

Coach: J.P. Banks

Top runners: Brian Walsh, Jason Smith, Travis Lewis, Phillip Ewell, John Stephens

Outlook: With five returning starters, the loss of Santucci is not quite as stinging. Walsh is a contender for a district title. How far they go past the district meet, however, will depend on the development of their underclassmen, who will run in positions 4-6.

WESTERN BRANCH

Coach: Bill Volkman

Top runners: Chris Miller, Matt Vogel, Andy Lillenthal

Outlook: Volkman calls this a rebuilding season. District coaches aren't as sure; the Bruins are listed as a team to be in five of six preseason forms. Volkman thinks Miller could have a breakout season in his junior year so long as he stays healthy. Three of the Bruins' top five starters are sophomores.

INDIAN RIVER

Coach: Timothy Wolf

Top runners: Dennis Johnson, Alvin Pean, Mike Hayes

Outlook: Johnson placed 16th in regionals last year and missed going to the state meet by one-tenth of a second. The Braves are relatively young; four juniors and a freshman fill out the roster with two seniors.

LAKELAND

Coach: David Wessel

Top runners: Andy Franklin, Keith Arthur, Josh Smith

Outlook: Wessel on seniors Franklin and Arthur: ``They should be the top two runners in the district.'' Both were named to the All-Bay Rivers District teams their freshman and sophomore seasons, and All-Southeastern District last year. But they'll need production from their 3-6 runners, especially Smith and Jonathan Felumlu to make a run at the district title.

HICKORY

Coach: Matthew Puryear

Top runners: Matthew Bruckner, Jeremy Austin, Zak Montoya

Outlook: Should be better than last year. Bruckner went to regionals last year. Four starters return, but the Hawks are still young as seven of the top nine runners are underclassmen.

NANSEMOND RIVER

Coach: Tanya Reed

Top runners: Alexander Pendleton, John Martie

Outlook: Not noticeably better than last year's. With only Pendleton returning and two freshmen among the top three runners, the Warriors will struggle to keep from going winless again. MEMO: Editor's note: Deep Creek and Oscar Smith did not provide

information for this preview. ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

Brian Walsh, Great Bridge's top returning runner, gives the Wildcats

an individual contender for the district title. KEYWORDS: SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

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