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by Matt Bryant
1A Girls- Open Gate?
This year's 1A girl's race could be wide open. Last year's winner,
Glenelg superstar Carrie Selmer, has moved to 2A with her team.
Leaving the race a little more open than the year before. The top
returning runner is Melissa Durst of Southern Garrett, followed
closely by Laura Stouffer of Smithsburg. But there is a new face
this year in Rachel Hawes of the new Century High School. She ran
a 10:43 3000 at AAU regions over the summer and could prove to be
a threat to the state title. On the team side Smithsburg looks to
continue their long streak, returning all 5 of their state championship
team from 2000.
2A Girls-Fast flight
Last year Cori Koch of Towson emerged as a strong runner for 2A.
But Emily Buzzell of Middletown had the state and course record
and was returning for her sophomore year. Unfortunately Emily was
injured half way through the XC season and Cori was left to win
a state title. In the outdoor track season Emily returned and pulled
herself together to blow Cori away in the 3200. But as always some
runners are better in grass than on the track and this should be
a showdown to watch. As for teams, Middletown has won the past 4
years and has the potential to repeat their title again with Buzzell,
Rocky Morgan, last year's 5th place finisher and Catherine and Maria
Rohland, twins who placed 10th and 30th respectfully as freshman.
3A Girls-Classification troubles
Until last year, Walter Johnson had won the previous 4 state titles.
WJ loses 1 of their top 7; the other 6 were all freshman and sophomores
last year on their 3rd place team. River Hill, last years 2nd place
team loses their 1-3-4-6 but will be led by last year's freshman
sensation Anne Cunningham. North Carroll, even without having Colleen
Lawson win as she had the past years, pulled away with the victory
last year led by freshman star Tarynn Barker's 2nd place finish.
But, and this is one huge but, Dulaney has moved down to the 3A
classification. Led by Tenke Zoltani, who will more than likely
win the meet, they return their whole team from last year's 2nd
place 4A state team including Christine Myers who could very well
place 2nd behind her teammate. This team will be a powerhouse throughout
the year and it will take an amazing team to take the title from
the Lady Lions.
4A Girls-CMW repeat
For the last 2 years C Milton Wright girls have squeaked by Dulaney
to win the 4A title. This year, Dulaney is 3A, so CMW has it in
the clear. Even though they lost Cara Wettlaufer and Kacie Remeto,
they had amazing talent and coaching and will most likely repeat.
One team that could pose a threat is Quince Orchard. Led by the
current Overall state and course record holder Karen Pulliam, they
return a great top 3 and will just need to get a #4 and #5 to wrestle
the title away from the weakened CMW Mustangs. Although she was
plagued with injuries over the summer, Pulliam should be back to
full strength by states to repeat her title win.
1A Boys-Digging for depth
As it goes in 1A, there are not a whole lot of teams that can rack
runners under 18 at every meet. Usually the key to winning is to
get your #4 and 5 in before your other teams' ones. Glenelg, last
years 2nd place team is out of the picture in the 2A classification.
Last years winner, Oakland Mill's loses strong #2 Carldrickiss Haymon
and as it is with small schools, good runners can be hard to replace.
Poolesville returns their top 5 from last year, 4 of which will
be seniors and hungry for that title. But Westmar was only 4 points
behind Poolesville last year and only loses one of their top 5.
Loch Raven, moving down from a 9th place finish in a deep 2A returns
4 of their top 5, mainly young runners. Izudin Mehmedovic, last
year's winner and the 1A state meet record holder, returns and looks
to better his time of last year. Chances are he'll have to break
his own record all by himself.
2A-Weak?
It seems like almost everyone left 2A, and not too many came in.
Teams lost are Urbana, Linganore, Mt Hebron and Loch Raven. That
leaves Middletown to be the top team, but they lost 4 of their top
6 from last year. Although rumors are going around about a Moroccan
exchange student coming to Middletown and surprising people they
still may be weak. The thing is, almost everyone else looks weak.
Northwest, last year's 3rd place finisher loses their top 2, and
could very well be in contention to win the title. Last year Towson
was tearing up courses on their way to the state meet but was plagued
with sickness and only 1 of their top 4 ran close to his potential.
And 2 of those 4 return so Towson seems to be the top team and lead
runner Steve Beck has a shot at the individual title.
3A boys-Meeting in the middle
Both Mt Hebron and Dulaney High Schools boast amazing teams this
year. Too bad there is only one 3A state title. Mt Hebron moved
up from 2A and Dulaney down from 4A so these 2 powerhouses have
to fight for the same title. James Mullaly and Matt Sanders, the
MTH top 2, were 3rd and 4th in 2A last year with times of 16:55
and 17:03 respectfully. Billy Duffy and Will Knox, 16:44 and 16:54
at states last year, seem to have the advantage with having 3 of
their All-American 4xmile team of last year returning and getting
to run the state meet course at their county meet. As for the individual
title, Shane Stroup of River Hill High School seems to be a top
contender, as well as any of the individuals mentioned above. Stroup
ran 16:34 on this course as a sophomore, was injured early junior
season but had an amazing track season capped off with a 2nd place
finish in the mile at AOC's.
4A Boys-Mustangs get their chance
With their ladies winning the past couple years the boys of CMW
might be getting anxious for their shot. This year is their shot.
With junior star Pat Bailey leading the way, the Mustangs also acquired
Will Murdoch, 6th in last years 3A state meet. They return all of
last years top 6 and 4 of those were under 18, not too easy on the
Hereford course. With an almost guaranteed improvement by all, the
CMW Mustangs will be a team to be reckoned with for more than just
the state of Maryland. Until last year, Westminster had always gotten
it together at the state title to pull off a win. Last year they
were unable but that only gives them more motivation to make it
back this year, they will be hunting CMW all season.
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