Anthony Smith and the Huntingtown boys are after the first top-two indoor state finish in school history. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
Let's take a look at how each of the top 3A teams could bring home this year's 3A boys team title.
Regional Results Merge
Top Projected Boys Teams (based on regionals results)
- North Point - 44 points
- Huntingtown - 40 points
- Chopticon - 38 points
- Oakland Mills - 38 points
- Centennial - 29 points
Centennial High School Eagles
Centennial's Antonio Camacho-Bucks owns the second-fastest 1600 time by a freshman in the entire country. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
A quartet of boys in single individual events make up most - if not all - of the potential scoring for Centennial at the state meet. Senior Thomas Altman has been nearly unstoppable in the 500 meter dash this year and is the favorite at states. Junior Jacob Cole ran 9:35 in the 3200 at the 3A East regionals, the second-fastest time across the three 3A regionals. Both Antonio Camacho-Bucks and Atharv Ananth project as scorers, as well.
Chopticon High School Braves
Last year the Chopticon boys set a 3A 4x800 indoor state meet record.
Not having junior Dylan McMahan in the 500 and/or 800 (plus the relays) puts a dent in their state title chances, but they are still very much in the mix. Zachary and Jeffrey Wedding were the only boys to run under 4:30 in the 1600 at regionals, and they are still favorites in the 4x800 and contenders in the 4x400.
Huntingtown High School Hurricanes
Jackson Blackburn could help the Huntingtown boys secure their first-ever indoor state title with some points in the hurdles. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
Huntingtown has outstanding duos in two events: the 55 dash (Anthony Smith and Kyree Kirkman) and shot put (Kenneth King and Connor Howlin). Smith is also a contender in both the 300 meter dash and the high jump, and the Hurricanes will be right in the mix in the 4x200 relay. Grinding out a couple of points in key places (4x400, 1600 and hurdles) could be the difference for the Hurricanes.
North Point High School Eagles
North Point's Kroy Myers ran a 35.86 personal best in the 300 meter dash in a win at the Howard County Winter Festival in December.
As likely the deepest of the five teams in this particular group, North Point's strength will likely be in its relays. They project fourth or better in each relay, including the 4x400 which they won at regionals. The Eagles have three of the eight 3A boys who cleared six feet in the high jump at regionals. Devion Bryant ran more than two seconds faster than any other 3A boy at regionals in the 800. Kroy Myers, Chase Drewery and Morey Campbell are all potentially significant contributors in their respective events.
Oakland Mills High School Scorpions
Alex Kohn cleared 6'2 for just the second time in his career at last week's regional meet. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
Junior Baidy Ba has become one of the top all-around distance runners in the state, helping the Scorpions become contenders in the 4x800 and figuring to score in both the 3200 and 800. Senior Alex Kohn was one of just two boys to jump 6'2 or better in the high jump across the three regional meets and Isaiah Rucker projects as a top-five finisher in the hurdles. Like North Point they also have the potential to rack up a ton of points in the relays.