By:Â Joey Young
jayou2@yahoo.com
The History:
2022 Championships – Poly Boys won the City title narrowly last year over Mervo and Digital Harbor. Mervo had a slight lead over Poly and Digital heading into the last two events (800m and 4x400m relay), but a 800m victory by Maxwell Dixon and a 3rd place 4×400 secured the title.
2022 Championship Top 5 Teams – Poly (103), Mervo (98), Digital Harbor (94.5), Dunbar (66), Forest Park (20)
2022 Individual State Champions -Â
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Boys 3A
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Alpha Balde (Digital Harbor) – 300m Dash
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Teams To Watch:
Baltimore Poly – The Engineers finished strong in 2022 for the team title and the team is built for another championship run. Poly can score high in every running event except the Shot Put. Baltimore City championships are usually claimed by the deepest teams, and Poly continues to show they have the numbers and top performers to continue their reign.
Digital Harbor – Led by accomplished Coach Bakari, the Rams are built to contend for City champs, but a State title. The ability to flood sprints, hurdles and throws will keep Digital in any conversation. Look for leadership from Blue, Gray and Johnson, while younger contributors continue to emerge.
Mervo – Coach DeVaughn and his Mustangs were runner up in both City and State meets last indoor season. They have lost a key contributor in Challenger Valentine to Dundalk, but the expectation is that Donovan Winslow and Jabriel McDonald, amongst others, are ready to step up. Justin DeVaughn will be the favorite in any event he competes in, which bodes well for Mervo.
Athletes to Watch:
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Mark Andrews – Dunbar
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Andrews, the top sprinter for Dunbar, is currently top 10 in the City in two events (55m & 300m). The sophomore appears to have the potential to place in both events at championships.
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Nicholas Bader – Baltimore Poly
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Bader is the reigning City champion in the 1600m and 3200m. He is the heavy favorite to defend both titles again this year as the deep Engineers hope to fend off Digital Harbor and Mervo for the team title.
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Jawon Blue – Digital Harbor
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Blue was the City Championship runner-up in the 100m and 200m last outdoor season. He is currently ranked #2 in the 55m and #3 in the 300m. If Digital is going to claim the title, Blue will have to perform at a high level for his teammates.
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Justin Devaughn – Mervo
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DeVaughn is arguably the top overall athlete in a stacked Baltimore City this year. The junior can sprint, hurdle and jump. He is US #13 in the 55m hurdles (7.51) and won the Freddie Hendricks Invite High Jump with a clearance of 6-4 on the slippery Baltimore Armory floor.
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Tristan Gray – Digital Harbor
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Gray has emerged as the top male thrower in the area with an indoor PR of 52 feet. He looks positioned to continue his dominance in the City as he won the Freddie Hendricks Invite.
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Elijah Isbell – Baltimore Poly
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Isbell, a sophomore, is currently ranked #1 in the 800m (2:07.74). It will be interesting to see how he competes in the 1600m as the Engineers usually flood the distance events.
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Lamont Johnson – Digital Harbor
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Johnson, a junior, is a swiss army knife for Coach Bakari at Digital Harbor. The long sprinter, has the ability to drop down to the 55m as well and score points for the Rams. He won 400m at the Ocean Breeze Holiday Festival with a time of 49.65.
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DeAndre Thomas – Digital Harbor
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Thomas was the clear top freshman in Baltimore City last year emerging as one of the area’s best hurdlers. He is the current City leader in the 300m (36.14) and #4 in the 55m hurdles (7.85). Thomas will be a key member of the 4×200 and 4×400 relays that Digital looks to dominate.
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Damon Williams – Baltimore Poly
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Williams cemented himself as a serious contender for the 55m and 55m hurdles. His time of 6.62 (55m) and 7.84(55m hurdles) puts him top 3 in each event.
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Jevonte Williams – Digital Harbor
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Williams, another hurdler for the Rams, has a PR of 7.78 in the 55m hurdles. The sophomore teams up with Thomas, Griffin and Daley at Digital Harbor as one of the top quartet’s in the country. Williams is also #2 currently in the 500m.
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Savion Witherspoon – Dunbar
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Witherspoon cleared 6-2 in the High Jump at the CCBC Essex meet and will challenge DeVaughn for the City title. He is also a factor in the 55m and key relay member for the Poets.
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Others Considered:
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Anthony Clark – Digital Harbor
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Will Donohue – Baltimore Poly
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London Dowdy – Digital Harbor
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Dominic Griffin – Digital Harbor
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Preston Jackson – Forest Park
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Kaleb Lee – Forest Park
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Callaway Lipkin – Baltimore Poly
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Jabriel McDonald – Mervo
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Damon Williams – Baltimore Poly
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Donovan Winslow – Mervo