By SHARON KILPATRICK

By SHARON KILPATRICK

Rappahannock Newt Staff Writer

In the second week of practice high school coaches are enthusiastic about the potential of their fall sports tedms.

Last year there were seven students running cross country in the fall. This year coach David van de Graaff has twenty or so out running, and he said he expects more once school starts.

He predicts that the boys’ team will qualify for regional competition this year and says the girls can too if more come out. There are six girls running, but three are eighth graders and ineligible to compete as varsity athletes.

One reason there are so many students running cross country is that new boys’ basketball coach Eugene Baltimore has encouraged basketball players to use the fall cross country season to get in shape for basketball. Coach van de Graaff said he hopes to also approach girls’ volleyball players who are not also playing fall basketball to come out.

Teacher Mike Tupper is assisting with the program. He said Coach van de Graaff inspired him to get himself in shape and help out. He remembers as a student at the high school when Rappahannock fielded state champion cross country teams.

Besides the regular season the team will be in three invitational meets, Coach van de Graaff said. They will be at Woodberry Forest, Eastern Menonite and Great Meadow, which is also the site of the state championship. i

There are only two home meets scheduled this fall. The season will open with a meet at Culpeper Wednesday September 14. On Saturday September 17 the team will be participating in the Eastern Menonite Invitational, and then on Wednesday September 21, Rappahannock will host Strasburg, Brentsville, and George Mason at the home field across from the high school on Bleu Rock Inn property. Regular Wednesday meets begin at 5 p.m.

New girls’ varsity basketball coach Laura Conklin has 10 girls out

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