CROSSACGOUCJIJNTRY L-L girls have tools to compete for title FOR THE POST/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Members of the Lake-Lehman cross country team work on their speed training during practice. Knights running deep By DAVE KONOPKI Post Editor EHMAN TWP. — They go I, to the same school. They compete in the same sport. And they have the same coach. But this year’s Lake-Lehman boys and girls cross country teams couldn’t be any more different. The girls team is loaded with experience and depth. With 14 runners returning from last year’s 5-1 team — including three performers who qualified for the state cross country champion- ships — the Lady Knights should be in the thick of the Wyoming Valley Conference and District 2 championship races. Things are vastly different on the boys side, however, with only six runners on the roster. The finishes of the top five run- ners from each school deter- mine the final score during WVC meets, leaving the Black Knights with little margin for error. So, despite having three solid performers and some young talent, the Lake-Lehman boys will need a little bit of luck to better last year’s 3-3 record. “It’s a great group of kids to * LAKE-LEHMAN coach,” said head coach John Sobocinski, referring both teams. “These kids have worked so hard this summer. Our work ethic is great. On the days that we had two practices, we had tough mornings of speed work and then a long run at night. And the kids kept coming back. “They’re eating the right foods and they're staying hydrat- ed. I really have no trouble with these kids at all.” Here's a look at the two Lake- Lehman teams. GIRLS Junior Kelcey Cole and sopho- mores Sarah Austin and Court- ney Matus lead the way for the Lady Knights and should benefit from competing in last year’s state championship meet. Soph- omore Amanda Cooper also has experience running in state competition. She was a member of the school’s 3,200-meter relay team during the track and field season last spring. “I'm very excited about the girls team,” Sobocinski said. “(Cole, Austin and Matus) are very impressive. Cooper is look- ing sharp and should factor into our top five.” The Black Knight coach will also be counting on the services of freshman Marina Orrson, as well as seniors Jessica Callahan and Loren Roderick. Orrson finished in the top five at last year’s junior high dis- tricts and has a lot of potential, said Sobocinski. Callahan was doing well last year before she suffered a stress fracture in the shin area and Roderick moved back to the Lake-Lehman School District after living in Texas for a few years. Dallas returns several all-state candidates and should be the team to beat in the WVC and District 2, Sobocinski said. But the third-year coach is optimis- tic about his own squad. “Dallas will be the favorite,” said the 1986 Dallas graduate, who still competes and has won several local road races in recent years. “They’re very experienced at the state level. But we should be very competitive and hold our own. I like our team.” BOYS Not only does Lake-Lehman have just six runners, none are See KNIGHTS, Page 6 Staying at top a big priority By DAVE KONOPKI Post Editor DALLAS TWP. — Matt Sa- muel wouldnt trade his pro- gram’s success during the last few seasons for anything. But the Dallas boys and girls cross country coach knows life at the top is far from perfect. “Having a bull’s-eye on your back is very stressful for coach- es and athletes,” said Samuel, who has led the Mountaineer girls to three consecutive Wyoming Valley Cross Country Friday Wednesday Frida Tuesday Thursday Monday Wednesday Monday Wednesday Frida Monday Wednesday Monday Thursday Thursday Saturday Tuesday Thursday 2005 Dallas Girls Volleyball DALLAS League and District 2 cham- pionships, as well as a state Class 2A title in 2003. “Being successful can be tough. It’s like driving a luxury car. When you've driven a luxury car, you want to keep driving that kind of car.” With most of their top per- formers returning from the state championship team, the See DALLAS XC, Page 6 Coughlin Tunkhannock GAR Berwick Hanover Bishop O'Reilly Wyoming Area Wyoming Valley West ~ Hazelton North Pocono Lake Lehman Nanticoke Meyers Bishop Hoban MMI Abington Crestwood Pittston S002 ' 43GW31d3S 'AVANNS 'MIIAI™d SLYO0dS T11V4 1SOd IHL S 39vd
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