The Paint Branch boys' state title chances could come down to how many points they can score in the relays. (Photo by Brandon Miles)
Let's take a look at how each of the top 4A teams could bring home this year's 4A boys team title.
Regionals Results Merge
Top Projected Boys Teams (based on regional results)
- Severna Park - 66 points
- Paint Branch - 57 points
- Wise - 56 points
- Richard Montgomery - 42 points
- Bowie - 40 points
- South River - 35 points
Bowie High School Bulldogs
Brandon Nya ran a US #3 300 at the Virginia Showcase earlier this year.
Senior Brandon Nya is the driving force behind the Bulldogs' team title chances. He scores a projected 18 individual points (first in the 300 and second in the 500) and contributes to 18 more in the 4x200 (first) and 4x400 (second). However, with only two other individual qualifier (Marquise Burks, the regional champion in the hurdles and pole vault, along with Tafari Stephenson) it will be tough for Bowie to rack up much more than 45 points.
Henry A. Wise High School Pumas
Taveon Pierce finished fifth in the 500 at last year's indoor state meet; another four points this year could go a long way to helping Wise win a state title. (Photo by Derrick Dingle)
Like Bowie, Wise has a standout sprinter (Joshua Edmonds, first in the 500 and second in the 300) who also contributes to the sprint relays (first in the 4x400 and second in the 4x200). However, Wise also features more depth in other events. Senior Rodney Gainous was one of just three 4A boys to throw 50 feet or better in the shot put at regionals. Their 4x800 comfortably won the regional title and could chip in some points - as could Jamil Bishop in the 55, Taveon Pierce in the 500 and Hassun Jones in the hurdles, among others.
Paint Branch High School Panthers
The Paint Branch boys are still the only team to have run under 1:30 in the 4x200 at the PG Sportsplex this year.
A repeat title for the Panthers resides on the shoulders of a core group of five boys. Seniors Alonzo McBryde, Chukwumdi Osuji and Jaeden Burke could score well upwards of 20 points in the 55 and 300. Hurdlers Ajuani Hall (first at counties and regionals) and Julian Smith (third at counties, second at regionals) will help, and both sprint relays will be contenders. Their chances may rest on any points they can get out of the mid-distance events (500, 800 and 4x800).
Richard Montgomery High School Rockets
In just his second open race of the season senior Avery Arizpe won the 4A West regional title in the 500. (Photo by Brandon Miles)
Without senior Garrett Suhr, who could have been a contender in the 1600 and/or the 800, the Rockets' title chances take a bit of a hit. They still have plenty of state qualifiers; Seydi Sall and Avery Arizpe are contenders in the 500 and Aiden Goldenberg-Hart and Elias Applebaum can score in the 1600 and 800. 8-10 points from junior Leroy Neal in the high jump would also go a long way.
Severna Park High School Falcons
The Severna Park boys are 4x800 contenders even without their top distance runners, which sets them up well to score points at states. Carson Sloat and Jack Muldoon are contenders in the 1600 and 3200 while Jake Gelfand projects in the top four in both the 1600 and 3200. It's entirely possible they win states while only scoring in five events - the four distance events and the high jump, in which senior John Tyler was one of five 4A boys to clear 6'2 at regionals.
South River High School Seahawks
Sam Keeny is undefeated in both the 800 and 3200 this indoor season. (Photo by Brandon Miles)
Sam Keeny accounts for 20 of their projected 35 points by himself (3200 and 800) while also contributing potential points in the 4x800. Fellow senior Corey Troxler is a contender in both the high jump (6'2) and pole vault (12'11). With two stars who could very well rack up 40 points, a handful of other points in the relays could have them in contention for a title.