One of the best sprint programs in the state at Franklin will likely lean on their sprint depth in the 4x200 and 4x400 relays. (Photo by Steven Pisano)
Let's take a look at how each of the top 3A teams could bring home this year's 3A girls team title.
Regional Results Merge
Top Projected Girls Teams (based on regionals results)
- Northern-Calvert - 58 points
- Reservoir - 45 points
- Hereford - 39 points
- North Point - 38 points
- Mount Hebron - 34 points
- Franklin - 32 points
Franklin High School Indians
Even without some of the star power they have had in recent years the Franklin girls are still one of the best sprint groups in Maryland. Senior Jasmine Johnson (last spring's 300 meter hurdles state champion) has an opportunity to win both the 300 and 500, and their 4x200 and 4x400 relays will also surely be competitive.
Hereford High School Bulls
Piper Lentz's 2:24 time from regionals was the third-fastest by any sophomore in the state of Maryland so far this year.
Junior Laura Schmidt and sophomore Piper Lentz have the ability to score in multiple events from the 300 through the 1600, and they have the depth to compete for points - and even a victory - in the 4x400 and 4x800. But their biggest source of points will likely come from the far side of the infield; four girls in 3A have cleared 10'6 or better this year, and three of them (Elizabeth Schriver, Courtney Butz and Vita Shats) hail from Hereford.
Mount Hebron High School Vikings
Could Sierrah Matthews recapture the form that saw her win one of the most exciting races at last year's 3A state meet?
Last year, Sierrah Matthews won her first state title (indoor 500) as a sophomore. This year, she could not only repeat, but possibly add another in the 300 meter dash. She led all 3A girls at regionals in both events. They also figure to be contenders in the 4x400 relay - they finished second at regionals by just six hundredths of a second, beating the times of the two other regional winners - as well as placers in the 4x200.
Northern-Calvert High School Patriots
The Northern girls are the only 3A team this season to have run under ten minutes in the 4x800 this winter. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
Per usual the Northern girls will be relying heavily on their distance team, which features defending 3200 state champion Hannah Mack and defending 1600 state champion (and 800 meter favorite) Oakley Olson. They are also favorites in the 4x800 as the only team to have run under ten minutes across regionals, and their depth will certainly help them compete in the 4x400 as well. Junior Allie Droneberger is also a contender in the high jump after winning last year's outdoor state title.
North Point High School Eagles
The North Point girls won an absolute thriller of a 4x400 at the 3A East regionals over Mount Hebron.
North Point may go as far as their star throwing combo of junior Mekhya Jones and senior Shantia Creek-Barrett, who finished 1-2 at regionals, respectively, will take them. If they could turn their current 11 projected points into 15+, they will have a good shot at their second finalist finish at indoor states in school history. Senior high jumper Dori'an Cheney could also play a huge role; she has never scored at states but won the 3A East title by clearing five feet, and has a season best of 5'2.
Reservoir High School Gators
Sophomore Jamie Adams set a big personal best at the regional championships in the 300 meter dash. (Photo by Brandon Miles)
Over half of Reservoir's 45 projected points come from their best event: the hurdlers. Led by experienced senior Adaobi Tabugbo (also a contender in the 55 dash), they had three girls run 8.69 or faster at regionals; no other 3A runners ran faster than 8.80. The Gators also feature sophomore sprinters Sophie Davidson and Jamie Adams, and all that sprinting depth helps lead to a 3A East regional title in the 4x200.