2A South
Meet Page - Results
The 2A South Regionals saw a matchup between two of the top underclassmen, regardless of classification, in the state of Maryland. For Calvert's Justin Diehl and Westlake's Jay Hall it was also a rematch of the SMAC Championships a week prior. Hall made it a much closer race than their first matchup but the sophomore Diehl was once again victorious, holding off Hall by a split second (16:07.15 to 16:07.52).
Both runners have clearly established themselves as state title contenders not only this season, but next year as well. Diehl's Calvert boys have also emerged as one of the top threats to stop the Liberty boys from repeating as state champions, winning the team title with just 30 points as they put six boys in the top 11.
Senior Anthony Anastasi (third, 16:57) was the only other runner to crack 17 minutes and led a revamped Southern-AA squad to a second-place finish. La Plata, Patuxent, Westlake and Lackey were the four other teams to advance to the state championships. Gwynn Park's Isaiah Harris was the only individual qualifier.
On the girls' side it was a much less eventful outcome as Patuxent senior Hayley Jackson won her third straight 2A South title. Jackson remained undefeated in her senior season and will be looking to capture her third straight 2A title later next weekend at Hereford. Jackson won last year by over 40 seconds but may have more competition on her hands with Hereford's Kelly Wesolowski and Catoctin's Julien Webster.
Behind Jackson, Calvert sophomore Sydney Friedel led the charge, coming in at 21:08. With three runners in the top five and their entire team among the top 13 finishers the Calvert girls won comfortably with 28 points. Patuxent finished second with 51.
La Plata, Southern and Largo were the three other teams to grab spots for the state championships. Westlake's Skye Cummings, Gwynn Park's Asia Hines and Thomas Stone's Monet Peterson qualified as individuals.