Prep Cross-Country roundup -- EW teams open at Croatan

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 18, 2004 1:55 PM

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NEWPORT -- Will Collins turned in another top individual effort Tuesday afternoon as the Eastern Wayne boys and girls cross country teams opened their season at Croatan.

Collins ran the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes and 25 seconds, giving him first place against competitors from Croatan, New Bern, White Oak, Havelock, West Carteret and Swansboro. The Warriors finished sixth overall in the seven-team with 122 points.

Eastern Wayne competed without three runners -- Matt Interrante, Matt Vogt and Michael Lawrence. They didn't make the trip due to "various and sundry reasons, mostly health and wellness issues," Eastern Wayne coach Vince Beasley said.

Andrew Ziccardi complemented Collins' performance with a 19th-place effort of 20:19. Also scoring were Justin Bernel (21:33, 30th), Dustin Rhodes (21:56, 33rd) and Steven Hendricks (22:26, 40th).

Croatan won the meet with 57 points.

Leslie Lewis emerged the Warriors' top performer in the girls' portion of the meet with a fifth-place time of 23:18. Eastern Wayne claimed sixth place overall.

Teammate Brittany Ham finished 12th in 24:46. Rounding out the scoring were April Vinson (25:09, 20th), Helen Baddour (26:29, 28th) and Natalie Taylor (27:40, 38th).

"We have several new runners this season, especially on the girls team," Beasley said. "This was a great first meet for all who ran."

West Carteret emerged the top team scorer with 49 points.