The weather was great to start the first day of the MPSSAA Outdoor State Championships hosted at the PG Sports and Learning Complex. Temperatures started in the low 70s and ended in the low 60s. There was a decent amount of headwind during the races that I am sure the sprinters will want to be changed for the finals on Saturday. But all in all, it was a great day. For a full recap of the day please read below.
RESULTS | PHOTOS | RACE VIDEOS | ARTICLES
Boys Day 1 Recap (1A and 2A)
1A 4x800 Relay - Mountain Ridge broke the first record of the MPSSAA Championships running 8:04, breaking the old record by 1 second! They had some competition from Northern Garrett for the first two legs but started to pull away during the third leg and never looked back. Northern Garrett was second with a time of 8:14
2A 4x800 Relay - When Tyler Edson got the baton in the lead there was little doubt who would win. Liberty ran 7:59 to win this race comfortably. Hereford was second running 8:12
1A 110m Hurdle Prelims - Ojigwe Olua (Western Tech) had the top time in the prelims running 15.09. Ta'Sean Dixon (Washington) was second with a time of 15.10, and Jayden Smith (Cambridge South Dorchester) was third running 15.43
2A 110m Hurdle Prelims - Kemond Felder (McDonough) was the fastest qualifier with a time of 14.88. Adbur Hassan (Oakland Mills) was second running 15.08, and Cuwan Foote (Overlea) was third running 15.11
1A 100m Dash Prelims - Favorite Brody Buffington (Catoctin) had the top qualifying time of 10.57, making it look easy and shutting it down with about 30m to go. He broke his own 1A State meet record in the process. Zyheem Collick (Snow Hill) had the second fastest time running 10.85, and Deonze Eldridge (Seed School) was third running 10.87
2A 100m Dash Prelims - Oakland Mills looked strong sending all 3 of its athletes through to the next round. The top time was Trevin McHargh (Oakland Mills) of 10.74 seconds. His teammate Shane King was second running 10.96 and Kaleb Cave (Hammond) was third running 10.94
1A 200m Dash Prelims - Brody Buffington (Catoctin) easily takes the top time, literally jogging the last 50m, running 21.70. Deonze Eldridge (Seed School) Was second with a time of 22.25 and Ta'Sean Dixon (Washington)was third with a time of 22.35
2A 200m Dash Prelims - Oakland Mills had the first and third-place qualifiers as Shane King and Trevin McHargh ran 21.96 and 22.29. Romero Ison (Patterson) was second running 22.44
1A 3200m Run - Ethyn Peck (Northern Garrett) ran a tactically smart race sitting within the pack for the first 6 and a half laps before pulling ahead and using a great kick in the last 300m. His time was 9:51. Right behind him and trying to chase him down was Connor McIntyre (Mardela) with a time of 9:52
2A 3200m Run - Ethan Aidam (Oakland Mills) took the lead from the gun and never looked back winning in a time of 9:35. Gregory Schelberg (Liberty) was second with a time of 9:46.
1A 4x200 Relay - Controversy ensued again as Brody Buffington (and the whole relay team) were disqualified for excessive celebration at the finish line. Watch the video below to see it unfold. Largo ends up winning the event with a time of 1:29.
2A 4x200 Relay - Oakland Mills won this event easily running 1:27.77. Westlake was second with a time of 1:29.15
Field Events Recap
1A Shot - Sydney Phillips (Perryville) won the Shot with a toss of 49-02.25
1A Long Jump - Furious Trammel (Catoctin) won with a jump of 21-9.75, just shy of the state record
1A HJ - There was a 4-way tie for the High jump as 4 boys jumped 6 feet. After the jump off, Gamaliel Adejo (Western Tech) took home the gold.
2A HJ - There was a 3 way tie for first at 6-02. Jadon Gaines (Hereford) won on the tiebreakers.
2A Long Jump - Siji Jolaemi (Glenelg) took home gold with a jump of 21-09
2A Shot - Jordyn Dickerson (Wicomico) threw 53-00.25 and pulled the upset over Darius Grimes (Frederick Douglass PG) who threw 51-01.25
Current Top 5 Team Scores
2A
Oakland Mills - 33
Glenelg - 26
Hereford - 18
Liberty - 18
Calvert - 15
1A
Western Tech - 33
Catoctin - 25
Northern Garrett - 20
Mountain Ridge - 18
Perryville - 18
Girls Day 1 Recap (1A and 2A)
1A 4x800 Relay - Smithsburg led wire to wire winning with a time of 9:52. Mountain Ridge was second with a huge last leg by Mary Delaney to pull them from third to second, almost catching Smithsburg at the end.
2A 4x800 Relay - This was a very exciting race between Kent Island, Southern AA, and Century with all 3 teams going back and forth during the race. Kent Island pulled away in the last 300 to win with a time of 9:32, Century was second in 9:34 and Southern-AA was third in 9:35. Huge season bests for all 3 teams.
1A 100m Hurdle Prelims - Ayniah Fersner (Largo) had the top prelim time at 15.59. Ogechi Uzoukwi (Western Tech) was second at 15.77, and Oluwatunmishe Olunuga (Western Tech) was third running 16.00
2A 100m Hurdle Prelims - Chelsea Whitehurst (Friendly) was the top qualifier running 14.95. Oluwasemilore Olaunle (Oakland Mills) was second running 14.97, and Gabrielle Bernhard (Kent Island) was 3rd with a time of 15.10
1A 100m Dash Prelims - Favorite Avery Miller (Allegany) was the top qualifier with a time of 12.61. Aanya Freeland (Largo) was second running 12.74 and Nyjae Malikali (Forest Park) was third running 12.90
2A 100m Dash Prelims - Gabrielle Gardner (Westlake) took the top time in the prelims running 12.23. Favorite Tressia Davis (Friendly) was second running 12.30, and Chloe Williams (Hammond) was third running 12.57
1A 200m Dash Prelims - Avery Miller (Allegany) took the top time running 24.95. Aanya Freeland (Largo) was second in 25.96 and Jenna Howe (Smithsburg) was third in 26.05
2A 200m Dash Prelims - Tressia Davis (Friendly) looked impressive easily taking the top time in 24.71. Kaylyyn Johnson (New Town) was second in 25.11 and Gabrielle Gardner was third running 25.37
1A 3200m Run - Mary Delaney (Mountain Ridge) and Caroline Matthews (Boonsboro) had an epic duel in the 1A 3200. Matthews led for the first 6 laps, as Delaney sat right behind her, which was probably a smart move tactically as Matthews blocked the wind for her. After about 6 laps Delaney took the lead and opened up about a 20m lead that Matthews could not close. Delaney ran a new state record time of 11:03.02 and Matthews was just off the old record as she ran 11:07.80.
2A 3200m Run - Temi Ariyo (Overlea) showed once again why she is one of the top distance runners in the state. Her race tactics were brilliant as she hung with the pack for the first mile, which came through in roughly 5:30. With about 1000m to go she took the lead and never looked back winning with a time of 10:47. Sarah Van Ornum (Kent Island) and Sylvia Snider (Hereford) tried to chase her down in the last lap and finished 2nd and 3rd with times of 10:48 and 10:49 respectfully.
1A 4x200 Relay - Largo took the gold-winning with a time of 1:44.50. Western Tech was second running1:45.52, and Smithsburg was third in 1:46.52
2A
4x200 Relay - Oakland Mills won in a landslide running 1:42.07. Friendly placed second out of the slow heat in 1:44.23
Field Events Recap
1A PV - Michaela Carney (Boonsboro) took home the gold after jumping 9-06
1A Triple Jump - Le'Asia Todd won the girls' Triple by 1 inch with a jump of 35-07.75.
1A Discus - Adeline Kraics (Francis Scott Key) was the big winner with w toss of 119-06
2A PV - Ava Allen (Middletown) cleared 12-07 breaking a 2A and Overall state record of 12-04.
2A Triple Jump - Alicia Hall (Oakland Mills) took home gold with a jump of 37-08.25
2A Discus - Caroline Mercer (Rising Sun) won with a throw of 120-08.
Top 5 Teams after Day 1
2A
Oakland Mills - 26
Kent Island - 25
Hereford - 20
Middletown - 19
3 way tie for 5th
1A
Smithsburg - 29.5
Boonsboro - 27
Bohemia Manor - 23
Mountain Ridge - 21
Largo - 16