WOODLAWN'S DWIGHT PARKER EASILY WINS 2ND REGIONAL TITLE
Dulaney Boys lose to Sherwood, Dulaney Girls beaten by CM Wright
The weather cooperated nicely for the 4A North cross-country region championships. Thus, fans were treated to a superb performance by Woodlawn's Dwight Parker who easily won his second consecutive region title running 15:46. Unfortunately, most of the fans were there routing for host Dulaney who suffered two rare losses.
The Boy's race had some uncertainty, but that depends on who you ask. Most thought that the home field advantage would once again favor Dulaney who looked strong just five days ago at the county championships. But there are those in the state that believe the best county in the state for cross-country is Montgomery County. Well the #1 team in both counties squared off on a calm & balmy weekday afternoon. Add to that Harford County's #1 team CM Wright and the team battle had promise.
Individually, Sherwood's Chris Barnard was thought to be a slight favorite over Woodlawn's Dwight Parker. Barnard was coming off a 2nd place 16:16 performance at the Montgomery Co. Championships; while Parker had just raced 5 days ago on the same course to earn his second county crown. Not to be forgotten, Blake's Kyle Gaffney came into the race with some creditable races. But Gaffney was a notable absentee at last week's Montgomery Co. Championships and has not lived up to his promise since placing 3rd as a freshman at the 4A State finals in the 3200m run outdoors (behind Parker). Unfortunately for Barnard, two things happened. One, the bus at Woodlawn showed up and two, so did Dwight Parker.
The lead pack approached the first mile containing the usual suspects: Gaffney leading, followed by Parker and Barnard. Sherwood's Tommy Mullings and Wright's Matt Provonche decided to join the fun. And fun it was as they came thru the first mile in a pedestrian 5:07. Behind the lead pack was Dulaney's 1-2 punch of Walsh & Bond joined by Wright's Provonche. As the leaders came up the first real hill, Parker decided to take matters in his own hands and jolted out to the lead. While Gaffney followed and chased his long-time foe; Barnard was dropped like a bad habit. Parker continued to push the pace and ran the next mile in 5:17. Gaffney looked poised and confident as if bidding his time for a "Rod Dixon" type finish (see NYC Marathon this weekend for reference). Barnard was in all types of trouble being passed first by Walsh and then teammate Mullings.
With 800m to go, Parker looked full of run and began a long drive to the finish. Cross-country too has its fanatics as a group of Baltimore City runners began chanting Parker's name. Fueled by his new fanfare, Parker ran an impressive 15:46. Gaffney couldn't catch his fellow distance classmate but ran an excellent race for 2nd place with a time of 16:08. Needing every place, Dulaney's Walsh (16:25) rallied for 3rd just in front of Mullings. Barnard finished a well beaten 5th. But Sherwood would take home another title; the team trophy as they easily defeated Dulaney 41-70 putting 5 scorers in front of Dulaney's 3rd runner. CM Wright ran close to Dulaney but fell short and placed 3rd with 79 points. Thomas Johnson was 4th and surprising Springbrook (who only placed 12th at the Montgomery Co. Championships) surprised themselves by placing 5th and earning the last qualifying spot to the State finals.
From the gun in the girl's race, CM Wright's top runners were leading early and significantly. Dulaney countered nicely with their top 3 all following in line. But behind them was a great battle as Wright's 3rd & 4th runners were in hot pursuit of the Lady Lions pack. Dulaney's 5th runner Kate Askine was in front of Wright's 5th runner but the upfront running of Sara Bailey & Megan Ravenscraft spelled doom for the host team. Both Bailey & Ravenscraft were never challenged and ran easily to a 1-2 finish. Chad Boyle's girls were ready as they answered with a 3-4-5 overall finish but next came CM Wright placing 6th & 7th. Unfortunately for Dulaney, Perry Hall & Thomas Jonhson's #1 runners were between their 4th & 5th runners. When CM Wright's 5th finished 13th only two places behind Askine; the title run had ended. Donnie Mickey's girls had edged his friend Chad Boyle's team 29-31. The 3rd and final qualifying team for the state finals was Perry Hall.