Baltimore City Public School Championship 1/18/2023
Article Written by Jon Fulton
The Western High girls and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute boys won the 2023 Baltimore City Public School indoor track championship at the Baltimore Armory in a very competitive meet. The Western girls (98 pts) edged runner-up Baltimore City College (92.5) by 5.5 points. The third-place girl's team was Digital Harbor (79) followed by Mergenthaler Voc Tech (75.5) and Poly (67). The Poly boys (104) outscored second-place Mervo by 4 points (99) followed by third-place Digital (94.5), Dunbar (65), and Forest Park (20).
The Western girls were led by senior Zion Pittman who finished 2nd in 300m (43.85), 2nd in 800m (2:41.70), and 3rd in 55m hurdles (7.48). Juniors Jayla Green and Mackenzie Jones were great contributors in sprints, high jump, and relay races for the Western girls who won 2 of 3 relay races (4x200 & 4x800m). Jayla finished 2nd in the 500m (1:26.86) and 5th in the high jump (4-06). Mackenzie was 3rd in the 55m sprint (7.55)
The City girls were led by freshman Amelia Valdez and sophomore Ariyah Edwards. Amelia won 3200m (13:50.44) and placed 2nd in 1600m (6:03.25). Ariyah provided significant points by winning the 55m hurdles (8.77) and finishing 2nd in the 55m sprint (7.52). Rocksann Smth of City won the high jump with a mark of 4 feet 8 inches.
The Poly boys were led by performances from sophomore Nicholas Bader and senior Maxwell Dixon in the middle and long-distance races of 800m, 1600m, and 3200m. Nicholas won the 1600m (5:09.13) and 3200m (11:17.47) races. Maxell was 1st in 800m (2:14.19) and 4th in 1600m (5:23.04).
Mervo boy's key contributors were sophomore Justin DeVaughn who won 55m hurdles (8.35) & high jump (6-02) and senior Todd Shelton placed 2nd in 55m (6.74) & 300m (37.36) sprints. Senior Joshua Jones added points in the shot put (40-0) with a 2nd place finish.
Notable girls' performances
Dominque DeVaughn - Mervo senior won 800m (2:38.68), 2nd high jump (4-06) & 3rd 500m (1:27.39)
Cierra Gray - Mervo senior won shot put (36-02.5)
Lelia Makine- Digital senior won 500m (1:26.40)
Jamaya McDowell- Poly senior 2nd shot put (33-06)
Kenya Merritt- Digital sophomore won 55m (7.48) and 300m sprints (43.04)
Carmen Walker- Mervo freshman won 1600m (5:59.71) & 2nd 3200m (13:53.59)
Notable boys' performances
Alpha Balde- Digital senior won 55m (6.63) & 300m sprints (37.36)
Ajuan Blackwell- Lake Clifton senior won shot put (42-09)
Anthony Clark- Digital junior won 500m (1:11.94)
Humed Nura- Patterson senior 2nd in 1600m (5:13.11) & 3200m (11:21.61)
Savon Witherspoon- Dunbar sophomore 2nd high jump (6-00)
Shawn Zimmerman- Dunbar senior 2nd shot put (40-00)