2022 Championships – Hereford Girls secured their 16th straight Baltimore County Championship last year with a 48.5 point victory over second place New Town. The Bulls only won 3 of the 13 events contested, but exhibited exceptional depth to run away with the title.
2022 Championship Top 5 Teams – Hereford (97.5), New Town (49), Overlea (45), Western Tech (40), Woodlawn (33)
2022 Individual State Champions -Â
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Girls 2A
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1600m Run – Temi Ariyo (Overlea)
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3200m Run – Temi Ariyo (Overlea)
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Girls 3A
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300m Dash – Nikiyah Williams (Woodlawn)
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Teams To Watch:
Hereford – Any discussion regarding championships in Baltimore County Cross Country or Track must start with the Bulls. The Bulls have won 16 consecutive Baltimore County Indoor Track Championships. Hereford looks to continue their dominance in Baltimore County, having already swept the postseason in Cross Country (County, Region, State titles). The Bulls will be led by top returning point scorers Sylvia Snider (17.5 points), Scarlett Seitz (12.5 points), Rebekka Hillier (12 points) and Savannah Tamberion (10 points). Significant depth and the ability to score in every event make the Bulls a tough team to beat. Sophomores Eliza Fox, Carsen Neuberger and Isabella DeSantis will contribute significantly in the field events after successful freshman seasons. Coach Adam Hittner says, “We are in a tough spot this year with our track half finished being re-done and rendered unusable potentially until the end of spring track. We are traveling an hour round trip 2-3 days a week in order to get a little bit of track time. An added challenge for our athletes and coaches to prepare to try and defend a 17 year county winning streak.â€
New Town – The Titans lost some key senior leadership last year but continue to reload and remain in the conversation as one of the counties best sprint programs. Senior Kaylyn Johnson enters the season as New Town’s undisputed leader. A favorite to secure both the 300m and 500m dashes, her efforts will go a long way in dethroning the Bulls. Junior Alyssia Quick also returns for the Titans as a threat in the hurdles and high jump. She led the county with a 5-4 clearance last outdoor season. Looking to take the next step in their development are Seniors Kayla Turner, Cianne Mitchell and Sophomore Summer Lane.
Western Tech – The Wolverines may be the most impressive program in Baltimore County as they do not have a home track to practice on. As one of the smallest enrollment schools in Baltimore County, the coaching staff continues to produce talent. Western Tech continues to prove its versatility as a program, producing scorers in sprints, distance, hurdles, jumps and throws. Senior Tamubelema Olungwe will lead the charge for the Wolverines in the 300m and 500m dashes. Juniors Oluwatunmishe Olunga and Ogechi Uzoukwu will also be looked upon to step up to compete for titles in the 55m hurdles. Keep an eye on senior Evelyn Sangree in the distance events as the senior has shown continued improvement.
Woodlawn – The Warriors have been slowly building a program which can compete for championships and they may be ready. Woodlawn typically has some top end talent, but this year boasts a big supporting cast. They will be led by seniors Nikiyah Williams and Arayana Ladson. Williams exploded onto the scene last year as the 3A 300m State Champion and 500m State Runner-Up. Ladson, a versatile six-time state champion, looks to dominate the sprint and hurdle events. Significant contributions will be expected from juniors Kenya Merritt and Kaleah McNeil as well as sophomores Destiny Coleman and Anjela Fitzhugh.
Athletes to Watch:
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Nadira Cantey – Carver A&T
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The Carver senior is the reigning County Champion in the 500m dash. She will be a factor in the 500m and 800m.
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Sadatu Cole – Patapsco
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The Patapsco senior won the County Championship last year with a throw of 30-9. With an outdoor PR of 33-4, she will look to defend her Indoor title.
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Destiny Coleman – Woodlawn
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The sophomore hurdler returns after securing a Bronze medal at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals Freshman Division in the 100m hurdles with a Baltimore County leading time of 14.98.
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Rebekka Hillier – Hereford
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The Towson University bound senior finished 2nd at Counties and 3rd at States this fall in Cross Country. The next in line of dominant senior Hereford distance runners, Hillier will be key to Hereford keeping the county crown.
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Makayla Hunt – Catonsville
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The sophomore sprinter is the defending 55m county champion. Hunt has the talent to become one of the top sprinters in the state.
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Kaylyn Johnson – New Town
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Johnson transferred to New Town for the 2022-23 season and immediately became the face of the Titans program. She finished the indoor season with the #2 ranking in Baltimore County in the 300m (41.50) and 500m (1:19.93). Expect Johnson to reach new heights in pursuit of a Class 2A state championship.
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Arayana Ladson – Woodlawn
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The Florida A&M University bound senior moves to Baltimore County after being one of the most decorated Maryland athletes last year. Ladson’s versatility will make her the favorite in any race she competes in. With PR’s of 7.14 (55m), 40.99 (300m) and 8.34 (55m Hurdles) keep an eye out for Ladson her senior year.
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Kenya Merritt – Woodlawn
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Merritt exploded on the scene last year due to her range. The City and Regional champion in the 55m and 300m last season, Merritt looks to cement herself as one of the states best sprinters. With PR’s of 7.29 (55m), 40.59 (300m) and 1:18.94 (500m), Merritt proves to be a factor in all sprinting events.
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Tamunobelema Olungwe – Western Tech
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The Western Tech senior came on strong last Outdoor Season. Will be a key contributor for the deep Wolverines in the long sprints and relays.
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Alyssia Quick – New Town
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The only girl in Baltimore County to clear 5 feet in the girls High Jump last year, Quick is poised to soar to new heights. She cleared 5 feet 4 inches during outdoor season. Also a formidable challenger for the county hurdle title, Quick could dominate.
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Mariam Sanni – Overlea
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Sanni took a back seat to All-State teammate Temi Ariyo last year, but not due to her performances. Last year, she was the County and 2A Central region champion in the 800m as Overlea swept the women’s distance races.
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Scarlett Seitz – Hereford
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The reigning indoor County Champion in the High Jump, Seitz looks to continue to show her versatility for the Bulls. She will be a factor in the 500, 800, High Jump and relays for Hereford.
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Sylvia Snider – Hereford
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Snider, who led the Bulls to a Cross Country Championship sweep (counties, regions, states), will look to do the same for the Bulls on the track this season. She was the runner up in both the 1600m and 3200m runs last indoor.
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Nikiyah Williams – Woodlawn
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Williams enters her senior campaign as the reigning Maryland State Champion in the 300m and runner up in the 500m. She was the highest scoring individual at counties last year with 26 points, and looks to contribute at a high level to lead her team to their first team championship.
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Others Considered:
Hannah Aledakoba – Milford Mill
Zion Brown – Overlea
Catherine Campbell – Dulaney
Isabella DeSantis – Hereford
Casey Fisher – Catonsville
Anjela Fitzhugh – Woodlawn
Ridley Lentz – Hereford
Alexandra Lohse – Towson
Oluwatunmishe Olunuga – Western Tech
Danielle Perez – Randallstown
Savannah Tamberino – Hereford
2023 Baltimore County Indoor Championships Video Playlist
2023 MPSSAA XC Championships
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slbYLdw7Cnw&list=PLqrXWWxYp6uZD76TQhpgyuN0JZdSVThjM&index=9