The viable candidates include Broadneck, Old Mill and Arundel. The task for each is to solve the Severna Park tennis puzzle.
The Falcons, who followed a 14-0 season in 1997 with a 13-0 campaign last spring, return junior Andrew Porter, their top singles player, and the girls, who lost five seniors to graduation last spring, appear to have reloaded.
"We look pretty strong in singles. It just depends on how our doubles fare," said Severna Park coach Bob Naworal. "We have a well-balanced team. The nucleus is there with the girls. It depends on how they play in competition."
Naworal knows exactly what he has in Porter, who rattled off 21 Porter straight wins before losing to Eleanor Roosevelt's Eric Nudo in the second round of state play last spring. He goes into his third varsity season with a 42-4 career mark.
"He's a bulldog on his ground strokes -- extremely strong off the baseline and very tenacious," said Naworal.
A newcomer to watch is freshman Susan Johnson, who some county coaches say can challenge Broadneck senior Jennifer Hellier, the county's two-time Player of the Year.
And with Hellier leading the way, the Bruins hope their team experience can provide the Falcons with a challenge of their own.
The senior standout is 65-6 in her first three seasons, having won 24 straight last spring before falling to Randallstown's Leslie Harvey in the state final.
"Watching her in practice, she's so much more consistent, excellent with her placement, and is much more mature with her game," said Kelly.
Senior Shannon Rigling, who played at No. 2 singles last season, will be teaming with her younger sister, Shane, a sophomore, at No. 1 doubles this year.
On the boys side, Jens Beck, a German exchange student, has been a nice fit for the Bruins at No. 1 singles.
"We have experience on our side," said Kelly. "The strength is with the girls, and our boys look stronger than last year."
After an uncharacteristic 6-5 season a year ago, Old Mill is looking to return to top form this season with coach Dick Hobbs returning 11 regulars.
Eric Hill will move from mixed doubles to the No. 1 singles spot, and Heather You makes the jump to No. 1 girls singles after a strong season at No. 2 last spring.
Doubles play is where the Patriots have the most experience.
Zach Healy and Josh Liston return at No. 1 for the boys; Tim Fry and Marc Caplan return at No. 2. The girls have Kristin English and Christy Wilson set for the No. 1 spot.
"It's a pure luxury to have 11 seniors," said Hobbs. "This is the best group of seniors I've had in my 13 years here. Not just as far as being tennis players but also as good role models. This year, we should be back in there competing with the best of them."
Arundel has six starters back and with some talented newcomers joining the mix, coach Bud Rorison believes his team could be in the running.
Senior Eric Gough makes the transition from No. 2 singles to the top spot for the boys as does Bonnie Busch on the girls side with Anna Buschman, who moved here from Puerto Rico, taking over the No. 2 singles.
"Severna Park is Severna Park -- they're going to be tough again. But I think we can give them a scare," said Rorison.
The surprise could come from Glen Burnie this season, where interest is at an all-time high with 42 players out, including 14 freshmen.
Gophers coach Bill Bope plans to keep a little more than 30 and has back his top singles players, juniors Kellie Werner and Scott Nguyen.
Werner was 10-1 in singles last spring and also teamed with returnee Sean McCormick in mixed doubles. The pair advanced to regionals last season.
Chesapeake has a new coach, Michelle Ross, who takes over for Jenny Barnicoat. The Cougars return one of the county's top mixed doubles teams, seniors Jen Montgomery and Tristan Weisenreder. The duo went 7-4 last spring with second-place finishes in the county and district.
Pub Date: 3/26/99