Snorts 11 December 20, 19% Peterson, Odom advance to state tennis finals By C. J. Cash The girls' tennis squad enjoyed a great season, advancing through the regionals in the state playoffs. During the season the team endure an increase in practice time and concentra tion during practice. They practiced from about 3:45 to 6 pm most of the season. The girl's tennis team got on pace and finished strong. The unit finished the regu lar season second in the conference, only to Greenville, with a record of 8-2. "We had a really good season except for the two disappointing losses to Greenville," said senior Angela Odem. Topping the regular season were two wins over North ern Nash, beating them 7-2 and 9-0. In the conference meet, Caroline Bethune and Laura Harris qualified for the singles tournament, while seniors Wesley Barker, Ferebee Bishop, Sarah Peterson, and Odem qualified for the doubles. Both the team of Barker and Bishop and the team of Peterson and Odem advanced to the conference champion ship. In the championship, the two tan dems dueled with Peterson and Odem and came out on top. The two doubles teams also progressed to the State play-offs. The two teams played well in the regional tournament, advancing to the state’s finals. After advancing to the final round of the state play-offs, two girls tennis doubles teams played Friday, Nov. 1 in Durham at Duke University. The tandem of Bishop and Barker started off slow in the first set of their match. They lost the first set 6-0. "In the second set, we started playing our game," said Barker, "forcing our opponent to make mistakes." In the second set, the duo had a chance to tie, but lost a 40 love lead, and eventually the set, 6-3. The Odem-Peterson duo were having an off day at the time of their match Friday. "We were inconsistent and a little nervous," said Odem. At one point in the match, the two were up 4-2, then only to drill four service returns into the net. The tandem also lost their match, 6-3, 6-4. Despite two disappointing losses, the tennis squad enjoyed a very successful season. The team has made our school proud for all their accomplishments this season. Finishing second in conference, winning the conference doubles tourna ment championship, and making it through the regionals of the State play-offs were major feats in themselves. Athletes experience thrill of victory, agony of defeat By Crystal Lucas According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, victory means having final and complete supremacy or superiority in battle or war; therefore, victorious would describe the cross country team coached by Dee Anna Davis. The team was unde feated and had one member, Nick Wmkel, to compete and win at the state leveI.He was the first runner from the school to achieve that distinction. Stuart Edwards went to the nation-wide Footlocker com petition. On the other hand, the varsity football team lost to Greenville Rose and New Bern. Despite the team’s two loses, it still won a victory over Northern Nash and made it to the playoffs. In the first round of the playoffs, the Gryphons played Richmond County. This time the buck stopped there and the members of thet earn came home with defeat in their eyes, not because they defeated Richmond County but because they were defeated by Richmond County. Though both teams were confident of their winning streaks, the football team felt rejected, not realizing the fans were proud thatthe team made it to the first round of the playoffs and made history once again. Words could not express the emotional feelings of the members of the cross country team and the football team. “I felt proud yet sad because I realized that it was the last game of my football career at Rocky Mount Senior High. I’ll miss all the coaches and all my team mates,” said senior Barry Sheffield. I/'/e are here. Need someone to talk to? Call 443-6700 for an appointment. • Free pregnancy tests • Confidential services • Peer counseling Rocky Mount Pregnoncy Centet 2440 Toffytown Plozo (ocfoss porking lot /rpm Torrytown Mol') Contributed photo WATCHING, WAITING-Principal Jerry Carter nervously paces the side lines at the Gryphon football playoff game. Our team lost after being held to only three points. Senior Barry Sheffield looks on. Southern Office Supply 117 S. Church St.. P.O. Box 389 Rocky Mouni, NC 27802-0389 PHONE; (919) 446-5128 FAX: (919) 985-1929 'The best clip joiyit in tomi, ” Earn A Degree of Success! Over 30 Programs Offered Tecbaical, Vocational, and College Transfer Call Today 443-4011 I CoMj^roNm' College Community Colleges iMakc Good Sense!