5 Reasons To Watch 4A Girls Indoor State Championships


This Two Mile is Going to Be EPIC: If there is one race you absolutely cannot miss at the 3A/4A state championship, it is the 4A girls 3200. Maria Coffin has been the best female distance runner in the state since cross country, when she ran through Maryland like a knife through butter. She has carried that momentum through this indoor season; her mark of 10:47.04 in the event is currently the top in the state of Maryland. In fact, dating back to mid-April of last year, she has lost a 3200 race exactly once, at the outdoor state championships. The girl who defeated her that day also happens to be her biggest challenger in this upcoming race.

To call Coffin the favorite in this race would be somewhat of an insult to Bethlehem Taye, who has had an equally dominant indoor season in the 3200. Her 10:53.70 winning performance at the Montgomery County Championships demolished the previous meet record. She followed that up with an equally impressive regional championship, running a mere four seconds off of Coffin's regional time. Taye leads the head-to-head series 3-1, including last year's outdoor state championship. She could also have the added benefit of Coffin running the 1600 beforehand, a distance double that has proven difficult with the condensed indoor meet schedule.


But Coffin and Taye aren't the only outstanding runners in this year's 3200. Both Abigail Green and Ciciely Davy have had great indoor seasons, and both have shown the ability to hang with Taye at the county and regional races. State championships can often bring out the best races in athletes, and these two also have what it takes to contend for a state title.