After not finishing higher than third in any of the MIAA Group Meets during the regular season, seventh-ranked McDonogh stepped up to the head of the class, Friday evening at the Prince Georges Sports & Learning Complex, and edged Archbishop Curley, the MIAA Group Meet Champion, 109-107, to capture the team title at the 2005 MIAA Indoor Track Championships.
As has been the case during most of McDonogh's track victories over the last few years, senior Tristam Thomas was an important ingredient in the winning formula. Arguably the greatest long distance runner in MIAA history, Thomas single-handedly scored 30-points for the Eagles as he came away with individual titles in the 800 (2:4.52), 1,600 (4:28.39) and 3,200 (10:01.36).
Senior Darrius Heyward-Bey displayed the speed that made him one of the nation's most highly recruited wide receivers during his days with the McDonogh football team, when he sprinted to the 55 meters title in a time of 6.35. Heyward-Bey then teamed with Travon Hill- Chadwick, Keith Brown and Javon Gross to win the 4x200 relay in a meet record time 1:32.05. That relay victory proved to be the difference in the team title, as Curley finished second in 1:33.94, a time which also eclipsed the previous meet record.
Hill-Chadwick, who won the long jump (21'-2"), and Gross, who captured the triple jump (42'-7.25") were also double winners for McDonogh.
Senior Rob Daniels led Curley's effort with a victory in the 55 meter hurdles (7.87), while junior Dominic Devaud won the pole vault (13'-0").
Third-ranked Mount St. Joseph, which had been the only previous champion in this event's history, saw its eight-year title run end when it placed third in the team standings, but the Gaels still had several strong individual performances.
Junior Garnell Hall raced to victory in the 300 meters, setting a meet record time of 35.67. In addition, senior Drew Libertini cleared six-feet to win the high jump.
Archbishop Spalding had three individual champions, including Dan Stacey, who won the 500 meters (1:10.73). The Cavaliers other two titles came in the 4x800 relay (8:27.08) and the 4x400 meter relay (3:34.07).
The event's other individual title went to Shelby Fisher of Cardinal Gibbons, who won the shot put with a long toss of 48'-1.5".
Published with permission from the MIAA