2022 Top 3 Teams:Â Towson, Frederick, CMW
2022 Top 5 Individuals:Â Hannah Toth (Westminster), Lauren Stine (North Hagerstown), Caroline Gregory (Frederick), Carter Brotherton (Great Mills), Juliana Brawner (Frederick)
2021 Top 3 Teams:Â Howard, Northern-Calvert, Towson
2021 Top 5 Individuals: Caroline Gregory (Frederick), Ella Meccia (Northern-Calvert), Elizabeth Pickett (Bel Air), Elizabeth Holcombe (Howard), Caroline Perrone (Linganore)
The Course
The State Meet course is run on the infamous Bull Run Course. The dip defines the course and it’s universally known throughout the running community. The course is certainly challenging, but it rewards toughness and durability. Depending upon one’s definition of a hill, there are at least eleven hills on the course-some more challenging than others. The second mile is by far the most challenging mile in the course with two steep, challenging hills. The second hill after the soccer field, which demarcates the half way point, is arguably the most challenging part of the course.
One is advised to commit to the race early on, but to be advised a faster than average first mile will result in a very long second mile. The final mile is actually a net downhill with a set of rolling hills on the back side of the course. This leads to the return to the dip.
One factor with racing this course in November versus September is that the weather is significantly different. One doesn’t need to contend with a scorching sun, but precipitation may not evaporate, which can lead to certain areas being slick, in particular the ninety degree turn leading to the return to the dip. Another nuance in the change of seasons is that one can see up the dip from a distance away, and one can also see the runners make their way to the dip following the second mile.
A full course preview is below.
The Teams
The Severna Park girls have dominated this season. They won Seahawk, AACPS Championships, and the West Region by wide margins. They won the elite division at Bull Run by just three points, but they were far and away the top 3A school that day. The Howard girls have had a strong season, and they have a good shot at a podium finish, though it would take a lot to challenge the Falcons of Severna Park.  Howard was second at Top of the Hill and fifth at MDXC. During the post season, the Lions were second at HOCO championships and they won the South Region by a comfortable margin. Several other teams hope for podium finishes at the state meet. Dulaney won the 3A North region, and they have been improving all season. Wootton won a close battle over Linganore in the West Region. Wootton was fifth at MOCO champs in an always challenging championship, while Linganore was second at Frederick County champs.
Falcons Head Coach Josh Alcombright says, “We need to just focus on running our race and I think we have the talent to repeat. The key will be to execute the race plan correctly.”
Patriots Head Coach Kellie Redmond says, ““Our goal is to have that best team race. For us this would mean having the confidence on the line that we can compete with anyone there, and maintaining that confidence throughout the race.  I believe we can have a successful day if they run for something bigger than their own individual performance.â€
The Individuals
Carter Brotherton (Great Mills), Kathleen Schwaner (Chopticon), Josephine Kamas (Sev Park), Kaylee Jenish (Sev Park), Sarah Kelly (Sev Park), Lauren Stine (North Hagerstown), Emilie Creighton (Hubie Blake), Meredith Moyer (Linganore), Claire Sivitz (Howard), Kiley Mann (Howard), Alyssa Mattes (River Hill), Frankie Moore (Oakland Mills), Brielle Whitworth (Edgewood High School), Cecilia Van Lierop (Towson), Alex Lohse (Towson), Catherine Campbell (Towson),
2022 State Meet Video
Course Preview
Race Research:Â https://md.milesplit.com/