Battlefield District notebook

Date published: 2/20/2008

BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

Dominique Wallace isn't a new name on the recruiting scene.

So when the Chancellor High School star running back/linebacker picked up scholarship offers from Penn State, Maryland and North Carolina State last week, he expected it.

However, Wallace's teammate, Clinton Simpkins, is another story.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior defensive lineman collected an offer from N.C. State last week, and he was taken aback.

"It was very satisfying," said Simpkins, who was an honorable mention All-Area selection last season. "I was speechless when my coach [Bob Oliver] told me."

The offer from the Wolfpack was the first for Simpkins, but he said he won't jump on it right away. He wants to see what other offers come his way before making a decision.

The athletic Simpkins is also a jumper for the Chancellor track team. He plays defensive tackle for the Chargers, but may have to switch positions in college.

As for Wallace, the three new schools have some catching up to do with the first-team All-Area running back.

He said Virginia is clearly the front-runner for his services, especially since the Cavaliers have visited Chancellor the past four weeks.

Virginia was the first school to offer Wallace.

He said another school "will have to show me as much attention as Virginia" if it wants him.

Wallace said Virginia's close proximity also makes it an attractive school. He doesn't expect to make a decision until shortly before next season begins.

A new first for Harvey

Caroline veteran track and field coach Sansberry Harvey has seen just about everything in his career.

But at this past Friday's Battlefield District winter track meet, he saw something he'd never witnessed before: one of his teams not scoring a single point.

Caroline's girls team had just two runners (both distance) participate and neither placed in the top six.

The low participation level is a concern for Harvey, who usually fields strong teams.

He's had four girls land Division I scholarships in the past six years, but lately he's had a difficult time persuading runners to come aboard.

"I've basically been operating on that not a lot of girls are coming out," Harvey said. "They don't want to sacrifice their time and put the extra training into it to be successful."

Harvey said the middle school program hasn't been strong lately, and that's hurt the high school program as well.

It's also been a struggle for Harvey to recruit athletes from within the school because he retired as a guidance counselor there two years ago.

"When I was in the school, I was able to talk to the kids and get them to come out," Harvey said. "I didn't harass, but I was able to personally put my hands on them and convince them to come back out."

Harvey said he expects more participation for the spring track season.

Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com

Date published: 2/20/2008