By:Â Joey Young
jayou2@yahoo.com
The History:
2022 Championships – Western Girls secured the Baltimore City Championship last year with an 8 point victory over second place Baltimore City College. The Doves exhibited the most depth, winning only two events on the day (4×200 & 4×800 relays).
2022 Championship Top 5 Teams – Western (99), Baltimore City College (91), Digital Harbor (79), Mervo (76), Baltimore Poly (67)
2022 Individual State Champions -Â
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None
Teams To Watch:
Baltimore City College – The Black Knights were a close second last year, losing the City title by 8 points. Coaches Downer and Hamilton continue to do a great job developing their roster and with the 1-2 duo of Ali and Edwards, City is poised to overcome last year’s finish. Baltimore City is typically dominated by sprint heavy programs, but City always receives significant field event contributions. This year they’re led by TyTiana Grandy and Rocksann Smith.
Mervo – Coach Devaughn and the Mustangs have remained in contention for the City title for years. They lost significant contributors Dominique Devaughn and Ciarra Gray, but the coach has to feel good about the addition of Paige Jackson and the emergence of Kayla Bell. Add Amaiya Collins to the mix and the Mustangs remain in the conversation for top female program in the city.
Western – Coach Molyneaux led the Doves to a sweep of City Championships last year (Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track) and is looking to do the same this season. Western has already won the Cross Country championship and are the favorite for defend their Indoor crown. Led by seniors Jayla Green and Mackenzie Jones, the Doves are once again deep and can score multiple athletes in every event.
Athletes to Watch:
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Zaniyah Ali – Baltimore City College
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Ali is the undisputed #1 hurdler in Baltimore City. The 3A State Runner-up in the 100m hurdles is looking for her first state title this year. She is the clear favorite to win the City title in the 55m hurdles, and in the running for the open 55m dash.
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Kayla Bell – Mervo
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Kayla Bell has begun her senior season with a bang. Winning the Shot Put at the Freddie Hendricks Invitational with a City leading throw of 31-10. Mervo is always known for great field events, and Bell is next in line after the graduation of Cierra Gray.
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Toni Benton-Hunter – Mervo
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Benton-Hunter has had a quiet start to her sophomore season, but has all the tools to dominate the City in any event. With PR’s of 26.66 (200m), 41.52(300m), 58.14 (400m), 1:20.52 (500m) and 2:34 (800m), she has exhibited the most range of any City athlete. Look for Toni to step up big as championship season approaches
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Paige Cooper – Dunbar
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Dunbar got a big boost to their program with the enrollment of Cooper for her freshman year. Cooper is currently ranked top 10 in both the 55m and 300m dashes.
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Dayana Cruz-Banegas – Patterson
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The Patterson junior is currently the top ranked 800m runner in the City with an armory time of 2:37.71. It will be interesting to see how the junior progresses.
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Ariyah Edwards – Baltimore City College
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Edwards returns for her junior campaign poised to show she’s the top short sprinter/hurdler in the City. The MD 3A 100m dash runner-up looks to continue her dominance. Edwards is also a top hurdler in the state and forms the best 1-2 punch in Baltimore City.
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TyTiana Grandy – Baltimore City College
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Grandy is currently ranked #1 in the High Jump in Baltimore City. She won gold at the Freddie Hendricks Invitational in December with a season best of 4 feet 10 inches.
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Jayla Green – Western
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The senior is looking to continue her dominance in Cross Country on the track this season. She led the Doves to Baltimore City and 4A North Cross Country titles for the historic Western program. She is currently ranked top 10 in the 500m, 55m Hurdles and High Jump. Her versatility will be key for Western’s hopes of defending their team title.
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Paige Jackson – Mervo
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Jackson, the Dulaney transfer, has stepped into Coach DeVaughn’s program and immediately taken a leadership role. If the Mustangs unseat Western for the City title, Jackson will be a big factor. She can run any event from 55m to 500m and compete with anyone in the City.
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Mackenzie Jones – Western
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The senior was the Baltimore City runner-up last year in the 100m and 200m dashes. She has shown improvement in each of her indoor events currently ranked #1 in the 300m dash. Baltimore City competitors cannot afford to take Jones lightly, as she has the ability to win both sprints at City Championships.
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Bousseina Makine – Digital Harbor
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Makine, a freshman sprinter for the Rams replaces her sister Leila, who was one of the top sprinters in the City last year. Digital Harbor coaches have done a great job in accelerating her development as she is now ranked #5 in the 500m dash. Expect to see her round into shape prior to championships and be a factor.
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Kianna Mosby – Western
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It can be argued that Mosby is the top overall mid-distance runner in Baltimore City public schools. She is ranked #1 in the 1600 and #3 in the 800. Expect her to drop some top times when the Doves get a chance to run outside of the Baltimore Armory.
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Others Considered:
Amori Adams – Dunbar
Amaiya Collins – Mervo
Kiri Mitchell – Western
Navaeh Rucker-Coleman – Baltimore Poly
Rocksann Smith – Baltimore City College
Troi Washington – Carver
Jaidan Whitaker – Western
Najah White – Patterson
2023 3A Central and City Championships Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9-OCwA12Zs&list=PLqrXWWxYp6ubcalg1wvg9uH_6IkJcWZc0