Baltimore County Boys Indoor Track Preview 2023-2024

Baltimore County Boys Indoor Track Preview 2023-2024

By:  Joey Young

jayou2@yahoo.com

The History:

2022 Championships – Towson Boys entered the 4x400m relay tied with Dundalk.  A 3rd place finish secured the county championship by 4 points.  The Generals only won 2 of the 13 events contested, but placed multiple athletes in the top 6.

2022 Championship Top 5 Teams – Towson (66), Dundalk (62), Dulaney (53), Hereford (49), Parkville (49)

2022 Individual State Champions –

• Boys 2A

  • 4x200m Relay – New Town

• Boys 3A

  • 55m Dash – Daysen Shell (Milford Mill)

  • High Jump – Myles Taylor (Franklin)

• Boys 4A

  • 800m Run – Tyler Dailey (Dulaney)

  • 1600m Run – Tyler Dailey (Dulaney)

 

Teams To Watch:

 

Dundalk – The Owls have a program that is always in the discussion for championships in Baltimore County.  Coach Tran continues to develop athletes in a multitude of events.  Led by Qaiyon Priolou and Keon Braxton, expect Dundalk to be in contention for the title.  The addition of Challenger Valentine may bring them to the forefront.

 

Hereford – The Bulls have slowly rebuilt their boys program and received a big boost from Ben Wheeler.  In the field events, look for Logan Crowe and Jadon Gaines to compete for titles in the High Jump and Pole Vault.  Pair that combo with Jake Weakland and Wheeler and the Bulls have the top end talent to get them in title contention.  Developing depth will be big throughout the season.  A 3rd place finish at XC States shows the Bulls are battle tested.

 

Towson – The defending champion Generals look to continue their dominance displayed over the Cross Country season.  Led by seniors Kieran Mischke, Jack Blanchfield and junior Evan Cline, Towson emerged as the area’s #1 Cross Country team.  Like the Hereford girls, they swept the postseason (counties, regionals, states).  Can Towson use the same formula of dominating the distance events and relays?

Athletes to Watch:

• Keon Braxton – Dundalk

  • Braxton showed his prowess as a multi event athlete on the summer circuit.  One of Dundalk’s most versatile weapons, he can challenge for championships in the 55 meter hurdles, 300m, High Jump or Pole Vault.  It will be interesting to see what Coach Tran utilizes his swiss army knife in this season.

• Evan Cline – Towson

  • The junior is a big piece to the Towson distance program looking to repeat as county champions.  Cline finished his sophomore season  with PR’s of 2:02.33 (800m), 4:27.08 (1600m) and 9:51.54 (3200m) and will be a factor in all distance races for the Generals.

• Damon Ferguson – Milford Mill

  • The Calvert Hall transfer had an impressive freshman season, and will immediately compete for championships at Milford Mill.  With last year’s 55m/300m county champion Daysen Shell off to college, Ferguson is expected to fill the void.   PR’s of 6.87 (55m), 35.74 (300m), 1:07.77 (500m) show great range for the sprinter.

• Jadon Gaines – Hereford

  • The senior will look to help the Bulls compete for the County Championship this season.  He won the 2A High Jump State Championship last season.  Making great strides in the High Jump and Pole Vault last year, Gaines will be counted on to place high in both events with PR’s of 6 feet 2 inches (High Jump) and 10 feet 6 inches (Pole Vault).

• Kieran Mischke – Towson

  • The senior leader of the Towson program, Mischke is entering the indoor season after sweeping the cross country championships (counties, regionals, states), leading his team to a 3A state championship.  He finished 3rd at states overall in the 3200m last indoor, and is a favorite for the title this season.

• Seth Minter – Milford Mill

  • Minter won the 55m Hurdles and 300m Dash, and placed 2nd in the 500m Dash  at the BCPS JV Invitational last year.  He followed this up by winning the 300m Hurdles at the Outdoor JV Invitational.  Now on varsity, look for Minter to be a factor for the Millers, who are looking to get back in the hunt for the team title.

• Ojigwe Olua – Western Tech

  • Olua is the top returning hurdler in Baltimore County.  Finishing his indoor campaign with runner-up performances at both the county and state championships, expect Olua to be the favorite in any race he competes in.  Adding to his 110m hurdles state championship last spring is well within reason for the junior.

• Qaiyon Prioleau – Dundalk

  • Prioleau is the reigning BCPS Indoor Track Pole Vault champion.  An injury during Outdoor Track prevented him from competing for the title.  In addition to the pole vault, expect Prioleau to be a factor in the 55m and relays for the Owls.

• Denver Shields – New Town

  • Shields is the top returning 55m sprinter in Maryland.  After securing runner-up at states (6.42), he battled injuries throughout the outdoor season.  Look for Shields to also be a factor in the 300m.

• Doyin Smith – Parkville

  • Smith had a rocky start to his junior year but ended last indoor season with a PR of 6.64 (55m).  The senior took off during the outdoor season with PR’s of 10.87 (100m) and 21.71 (200m).

• Challenger Valentine – Dundalk

  • Valentine is a huge addition for a Dundalk squad looking to compete for the county championship.  The long sprinter brings a PR of 35.55 (300m) and 48.94 (400m) and will be looking to cement himself as one of the premier sprinters in the state.

• Jake Weakland – Hereford

  • Weakland has emerged as a top end mid distance runner.  Last year, he finished 2nd in the 500m at counties and ran on the Bulls 2nd place 4x800m relay.  He added a 1:56.77 800m PR last outdoor season and is looking to build upon that.

• Ben Wheeler – Hereford

  • A huge part of the Hereford boys resurgence, Wheeler won the 500m as a freshman.  Showing range from the 300m – 800m, expect to see Wheeler at the top of the county list in multiple events.

Others Considered:

• David Are – Owings Mills

• Logan Crowe – Hereford

• Aaron Lippman – Parkville

• David Straughn – Woodlawn

• Amir Wright – New Town

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK6LbiEE2Dc&list=PLqrXWWxYp6uZD76TQhpgyuN0JZdSVThjM