Northern's Jasmine Holland seemed unfazed by the cold weather last weekend, racking up big points for her team in the long and triple jumps. (Photo by John Roemer)
Who was the top boys performer of the first week of April? The calendar finally turned to the fourth month of the year, but it didn't change anything about the weather - many meets over the past weekend saw snow flurries instead of sunshine. However, some of Maryland's best stepped up and recorded some noteworthy performances. Vote for your favorite below - the poll closes on Sunday at midnight!
Ella Auderset, Urbana: The Urbana girls ran wild at the Linganore Lancer Invitational, and that included the freshman Auderset. She won the odd 200/3200 double, while also running on the winning 4x200 relay team. Her strength lies in mid-distance (she was the runner-up in the 4A 500 meter dash this past winter) but even just a few months into her high school track career has demonstrated great range.
Jasmine Holland, Northern-Calvert: Holland staved off the cold at Saturday's Crimson Tide Invitational enough to score some big points in the horizontal jumps. She set a season best of 16'3 in the long jump, good enough for second place, and won the triple jump with a leap of 35'5 (which wasn't a season best). Holland currently ranks fourth in the state in the triple jump.
Natalie Markoff, Tuscarora: Last year's fourth-place finisher in the 3A 300 meter hurdles picked up her first victory of her senior season at Saturday's Quince Orchard Cougar Relays. When allowing non-FAT times, her 48.14h performance ranks 11th on the Maryland state leaderboard.
Oakley Olson, Huntingtown: The second freshman on this poll, Olson has already established herself as one of the top distance runners in Southern Maryland (and possibly even the state as a whole). She pulled off a big double on Friday at the Largo Lions Invitational, winning the 1600 (5:19.42) and 3200 (11:38.82). Her 1600 personal best has her ranked sixth in the state and fourth in the 3200; Olson sits behind only fellow SMAC competitor Nelle Ray among freshmen in both events so far this spring.
Blaire Ridgely, Mount Hebron: Last week it was Jaiden Ritter; this week, it's Blaire Ridgely's turn as Mount Hebron's candidate for girls athlete of the week. Ridgely had a big day at the District V Challenge last Friday, winning the 200 (25.98) and finishing second in the 100 (12.50). The 25.98 performance places her among the top ten on the current 200 state leaderboard. She wrapped up the day with a leg on the victorious 4x400 relay, an event that the Hebron girls will probably make a habit of winning this spring.
Ja'Tae Joyner, Bowie: One of the most versatile jumpers in Maryland, Joyner made her spring debut by winning the triple jump at the Largo Lions Invitational on Friday. She also showcased her talent on the track by placing fourth in the 200 with a 25.93 effort (eighth-fastest in Maryland this season).