On This Date: Ellis Brown Throws Down on His Home Track

Brown watched the clock intensely as he crossed the line at the end of the 400-meter dash. (Photo by Craig Amoss)

Ellis Brown had quite the career at Pikesville High School. He began his career as a state-qualifying freshman in the pole vault, then became one of the school's top sprinters in a 1A program rich with great sprinting tradition. He went on to win 11 regional titles and six state titles throughout his high school career, even while missing the end of his outdoor junior season.



Before his season ended in the spring of 2016, however, Brown had the opportunity to compete on his home track at the Pikesville Track Classic. Usually one of Maryland's premiere early-spring invitationals, the 2016 meet was rescheduled to the end of April due to weather. No matter for Brown, who went on to win both the 200 (22.67) and 400 (50.17) meter dashes. Both were personal best efforts for the junior coming off an indoor season in which he won 1A state titles in both the 55- and 300-meter dashes. He broke both personal bests two weeks later at the county meet, where he finished second in both events.

We caught up with Brown after his victory in the 400-meter dash.