Cave Spring High School - Accolade Yearbook (Roanoke, VA)

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Down the hard city streets and through the woods, the Knights were rekking off the track David Michie ln 90-degree heat, with steam rising from the sun-beaten pavement, the cross country team emerged from the locker room. They lined up, not wondering what their times would be, but rather it they could finish the grueling 3.3 mile course that lay ahead of them. Honk! The horn in Coach Joe LaRocco's car sounded, and the race was on. Obstacles for the team to face existed every step of the way. Coach LaRocco summed it up, ttlnexperience was our greatest obstacle. Graduation claimed six boys and one girl from the team. When asked what she felt was the teams greatest obstacle, Amy Vest replied, ttlnjuries e they kept me out for most of the season!u Even though the team didnlt expect much out of the season, they managed to win at Salem, Northside, and Patrick Henry. They placed fifth at the District meet with Mike Canary, Cleve Fisher, and Mike Behrens running well for the Knights all year. Mike Canary also distinguished himself by making the all-distn'ct team. The girls season began with a slow start. tlThe first few weeks, we had only a couple of girls who could make the three-mile course without stop- Gll'll' Cross Country SCORE OPPONENT ls! of 12 ALCOVA Invitational 36-20 Patrick Henry 38-21 Northslde lllh UV: Invitational 37-20 Salem 1:! Metro Season Record: 3-0 HThe first weeks, only a couple of girls could make the entire course. Coach LaRocco L 50 - Cross Country U rging them on Rick obers comes in during the loss to William Fleming as Coach Joe LaRocco and Steve Hutton root for the team. David Michie pingfl said Coach LaRocco. But the girls soon gained momentum, and won every regular sea- son meet they participated in, including the Allegheny Invitational, Blue Ridge Invitational, Metro, and District. At District, the girls ran for the meet's all-time low score. They sizzled to a 9-0 record for the season with only one letterman, Ace Greer. She remained undefeated through two regional meets. Six girls, Ace Greer, Holly Frank, Terri Scott, Amy Vest, Beth Steorts, and Jill Yasenchak made the alledistrict team. Coach LaRocco was named Timesland Coach of the Year for his efforts with the girls team. Cross Country meets usually didn't bring out a big, rowdy cheering section. ttltls probably because in cross country you dont get as much recognition as in other sports? said Steve Hutton. The team was surprised at the home meet against William Fleming when the band decided to show some Knight spirit to the invading Colonels. They spontaneously stopped practice, which was going on during the race, and cheered the Knights on. Although the meet ended in a loss, the band received a resounding thanks from the team for their support. CROSS COUNTRY TEAM. Front Row: Andrea McClellan, Jill Yasenchak. Holly Frank, Ace Greer, Helen Conner, Beth Steorts, Terri Scott. Amy Best, Cybelle Wu, Jennifer Yasenchak. Second Row: Brian Witchger, Mike Pistner, Steve Hutton, Greg Crook, Cleve Fisher, Gerry Bingeman, Jay Gentry, Bobby Yopp. Back Row: Coach Joe LaRocco, Mike Behrens, Trey Lynn, Brian Doughty, Mike Canary, Tom Garrett, David Canary, Patrick Cooley, Darren Jones, Bill Martin. Art Coumoyer r t? Q s

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It struck like clockwork. Rain clouds covered the setting sun and poured their contents upon the tennis courts. From August 14 when the team started practices, rain-outs had become common place. If it didnlt rain, then the team often prac- ticed in the muggy late summer nights until after dark from 4:30 to 7, the only time that Coach Kyle Langill was available to work with them. Despite these factors, the girls tennis team didnlt stop striving to win. The seasonts progress could, in part, be attrib- uted to Coach Langillts use of training techniques different than those used by other coaches in years past. He tried to train the girls more as professionals than high school players. The team spent practice doing a variety of things. Of prac- tices, Christie Hunter said, itWe ran a lot of sprints. He taught about doubles strategy and the g psychology of tennisfi - Intense training paid off for the team. They easily crushed William Fleming, a team with only '2 '0 S m D OPPONENT Pulaski Patrick Henry William Fleming E.C. Glass Invitational Salem Pulaski Franklin County Patrick Henry William Fleming Salem :0 0 O :0 rn WGBNHO'HONNO Season Record: 8-1 Even rained-out practices couldnlt douse the flames on the teams Watching the ball Jodi Daner watches the ball fly into her Salem oppo- nentis court during a warm- up session before the match. The Knights lost the match 3- 6, but settled up in their second meeting 6-3. five players, by a score of 9-0. The girls made it to the semi-finals and beat Patrick Henry, only to fizzle in District play. With only one of last years starters and two seniors on the team, they werenit unhappy about this, however. Girlsl tennis wasn't all work and no play. On the way to tournaments, the team found ways to break the tension and monotony. During their bus trips they often sang, told jokes, slept, and most importantly, ate. ttWe stopped at Wendyls a lotfl said Lena Donatelli. The year was one of firsts and accomplish- ments. It was the first time that the girls tennis team had been trained by a male coach and the first time that coach Langill had coached at Cave Spring. The season also held one of the few times that the team had beaten Salem, their toughest competition in years past, with a team score of 6- 3. Regular season closed for the Knights in one of the best ways the season could end - with a win. t rt oumoyer GIRLS, TENNIS TEAM. Front Row: Jennifer Elias, Jodi Daner Back Row: Janet Masters. Shannon Dowdey, Tracey Krupski, Sharon Carter, Christie Hunter. Amy Garlowr Lon Moms, Lena Donatelli. Girls Tennis e 49

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Photo finish Bill Martin crosses the finish line just inches in front of his William Fleming opponent. V So whats 26 miles? It was cool, a little windy. About 180 runners were stretching in anticipation of the 262 mile course that lay ahead of them. Although Mike Behrens and Steve Hutton had trained E Stars 35 Steve Hutton and Mike in Behrens run in the Star City Marathon. Both placed well in their age groups. a r:- for only 33 miles in cross country, they felt prepared to meet the immense challenge. Starting in downtown Roanoke, the Star City Marathon went down Petersi Creek Road and Williamson Road, then spanned some secondary roads back to the downtown area for the finish. i9 avid Mich David Michie Leader of the pack Mike Canary pulls to the front of the pack early in the race The Knights went on to $082 to William Fleming 25- Boxed in In the center of the pack, Brian Doughty and Cleve Fisher surround a William Fleming opponent. Concentration After doing his stretching ex- ercises, Brian Doughty ponders for a moment the tough race ahead of him. Shooting for a time of 3:30, Steve placed first in the age 14-17 group with a time of 3:45. Mike also did well. Why did they do it? ttYou get a real sense of accomplishment from knowing you can go the full distance e- it makes the training worth the while, said Steve Hutton. Cross Country e 5 1 David Michie