The Inaugural Pikesville Track Classic will be run this Saturday, April 1st, Pikesville High School's newly renovated Panther Stadium. The facility features a brand new polyurethane track surface as well as all brand new field event competition areas. The entire track facility is contained within the stadium complex so spectators can watch the track events without missing what's going on in the field events. Some of the best teams in the Baltimore Metro Area have been assembled for this team competition. Some of the top teams from each of Baltimore's surrounding counties will be in attendance. The winner of this meet may be able to make a strong claim for supremacy among Baltimore's elite track teams. Of the Pre-Season Sun's Top 10 teams, 4 boys teams will be in attendance (#2 Mt. Saint Joseph, #5 Atholton, #7 Mervo, and #10 Long Reach) and 3 Girls teams will in attendance (#3 Mervo, #5 Long Reach, and #9 Chesapeake-AA). There is one unknown team in the mix that may surprise some, Elizabeth Seton will be traveling up from PG County as well. As far as the athletes go, there will be five Indoor Track 1st Team All-Metro track boys and three Indoor Track 1st Team All-Metro girls… and an All-American.
List of Teams: Annapolis, Atholton, Century, Chesapeake-AA, C. M. Wright, Dulaney, Eastern Tech, Elizabeth Seton (G), Franklin, Glen Burnie, Hereford, Loch Raven, Long Reach, Meade, Mervo, Milford Mill, Mt. Saint Joseph (B), Old Mill, Overlea, Northeast-AA, Parkville, Pikesville, Perry Hall, Towson, and Woodlawn (G)
5 Athletes to Watch
Girls:
Tiffani Long (Long Reach) – Tiffani is arguably one of the best long jumpers in the state. She posted the top mark in the state during this past indoor season. Her best of 17' 11.5" pales in comparison to her outdoor PR of 19' 0" set at the State Championships last year. Tiffani also excels in the short sprints so look for her in the 100M and 200M dashes.
Kristin Malloy (Hereford) – Kristin is the latest in a long line of standout freshman who burst on to the scene in the distance events. In her brief high school career she has amassed numerous honors. She is the reigning state champion in the 2A/3A Indoor 3200M Run. At the Baltimore County Relays she was timed at 5:08-5:10 for her leg of the 4x1600M Relay. Kristin will be challenged in her races as the girls distance races are some of the deepest fields at the meet.
Dana Reeser (Century) – 2-Time defending 2A Outdoor State Champion in the Shot Put, Dana already owns a personal best throw of 39' 0". She also placed in 2nd in the 2A Discus at last year's state meet. Dana will receive strong competition in the Shot Put from Nicole Sohn of Northeast-AA and she will have to contend with the reigning 3A State Champion (Alyce Harrell of Long Reach) in the Discus.
Nicole Sohn (Northeast-AA) – Nicole is the reigning 2A/3A Indoor State Champion in the Shot Put and lost only once this past indoor season. With a personal best of 39' 8.5" in the shot put, she has a real shot a breaking the 40 foot barrier. Nicole will also be competing in the Discus.
Allison Smith (Atholton) – Allison is back with Atholton after using the indoor season to focus on her training. She has won too many state titles to list and is considered to be one of the best (if not the best) female distance runner in MD. Allison earned All-American honors at the Nike Indoor Nationals when she took 4th in the mile (4:57.09). Look for her in the 800M Run.
Boys:
Justin Murdock (Glen Burnie) – 3A/4A State Champion in the 55M Dash… and he is only a sophomore. Murdock posted the fastest time in the 55M Dash at the Indoor State Championships. Look for him in the 100M and 200M Dashes as well as the sprint relays.
Josh Kusnick (Century) – Josh was one of the most consistent throwers this past indoor season. He already has a PR of 48' 3.75" from the indoor season, look for him to flirt with the 50' barrier at this early season meet.
Andrew Revelle (Atholton) – Andrew has established himself as on of the most dominant distance runner outside of the ultra-competitive 4A Class. The junior is two-thirds of the way to a triple crown season. He won the 2A cross county title and won the 1600M Run during the indoor season with a time of 4:25.81. Look for Andrew in the 1600M and 800M Runs.
Isaac Richardson (Mervo) – Isaac was one of the few Maryland athletes to break 2:00 in the 800M run this past indoor season. The senior clocked a time of 1:58.29 on the banked turns of the New York Armory. Richardson and Brandon Wright look to face off in the 400M Dash. With two bright stars, don't be surprised if someone breaks the 50 second barrier this weekend.
Brandon Wright (Long Reach) – Wright was the 2A/3A State Champion in the 300M Dash. He was undefeated at this distance all season. The speedy senior excels in all sprint events ranging from the 100M all the way up to the 400M Dash. Look for Brandon to be pushed in both the 100M Dash (Summers and Murdock) as well as the 400 (Richardson).