Now it can be said there?s some new players in Baltimore City track and field landscape. The Digital Harbor High girls and Poly boys each made statements last night, winning Class 2A/1A state indoor championships at the Wayne K. Curry Sports Complex in Landover.
In winning the schools? first-ever state titles, the Engineers and Rams become the third and fourth city team to win a state indoor trophy, joining Western girls and Mervo boys, who have been the dominant force the last decade.
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“I didn?t think this would happen; I just thought we would always dream,” said Rams senior Demia Franklin. “Never make first, always make second.”
Franklin, Ashley and Alyssa McClure and Jalisa Bush made Digital Harbor?s dreams a reality, winning the final event, the 1,600-meter relay, in a state 1A-record time of 4 minutes, 5 seconds, to overtake Poolesville from Montgomery County, 50-43.
The Rams won the girls 800 relay (1:47.45) with Bush, Taryn Johnson, Chelsea Walker and Alyssa McClure.
Poly also saved the best for last, winning the 1,600 relay as final leg Jamin Gallman inched past Digital Harbor?s Tony Drumgold at the finish line. The Engineers established a new state 2A record (3:27.92), while the Rams (3:27.97) set a new 1A record.
The Engineers (52 points) completed a sweep of city, regional and state titles in the 1,600 relay with Artavis Williams, Lemuel Pridgen and Frankin Robinson joining Gallman. Poly also won the “triple crown” in the 3,200 relay (8:20.47) with Jamain Gallman, Brian Farrar and Rashaan Johnson. Gallman, a senior, also captured first in the 500 (1:06.12).
Liberty (44 points) was boys runner-up for the second straight year, with junior Eric Liberatore capturing a postseason sweep in the 1,600 (4:34.98). Teammate Nick Hruch completed the “triple crown” in the high jump (6-feet, six inches), tying the 2A state record.
Pikesville senior Darryl Bell won the 55 title (6.53) and joined Vance Gilmore, Brandon Walker and Jabari Hawkins on the title-winning 800 relay (1:33.44). Western Tech junior Jermol Dix won the 55 hurdles (7.78). Brent Dawson of Century won the boys 800 (2:03.12).
The quartet of Kathryn Frankie, Emma Davis, Allison Dauses and Courtney Williams guided Loch Raven to the state title in the girls 3,200 relay (10:11.39). Liberty junior Kate Paczynski won the high jump (5 feet), and Marriotts Ridge junior Jocelyn Henline won the girls? pole vault (9-6).
