The race ? or races ? for track and field bragging rights kicks off today at Morgan State University, where the state track and field championships will be held today through Saturday.
The Class 1A and 2A meets start today, the 3A and 4A meets begin Friday, and all four classifications wrap up on Saturday.
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A number of notable athletes will make their final appearances for their respective schools. Oregon-bound Matthew Centrowitz, a Broadneck senior who recently ran a record 4:08 mile at the Penn Relays, is looking to continue his dominance in the distance races.
Artavius Williams of Poly should be a medalist in both the long and triple jumps. Wilde Lake speedster Zach Brown ? also a standout wrestler and football player ? will look to claim the sprint race titles after turning in some strong times already this year. Glen Burnie’s Justin Murdock should provide a great weekend rival for Brown in the sprints.
On the girls side, Mount Hebron’s Liz McCarter should be a strong contender in the distance races, and Jessica Tongue of Annapolis will be a key competitor in sprints. Tongue’s teammate, Torrie Saunders, is a medal contender in both the 100 and 300 hurdles. Eastern Tech’s Michelle Newman is a top contender in the long and triple jumps.
Team-wise, the area?s best shots for a boys title likely will come from Woodlawn in the 4A, Digital Harbor or Wilde Lake in the 3A and Pikesville in the 1A. On the girls side, Digital Harbor (3A) and Western (1A) look strong.
Last year, Baltimore struggled at the state level. In the boys championships, only Howard (2A) was able to bring a title back to the metro area. Smithsburg (1A), Westlake (3A) and Oxon Hill (4A) won the boys meets. On the girls side, only Western (3A) won a title for local programs. Williamsport (1A), Central (2A), and Largo (4A) claimed the other titles.
For more information on this season’s meets and up-to-date scoring from this weekend’s state meets, visit www.mdrunning.net.
STATE MEET
(All days at Morgan State University?s Hughes Stadium)
1A & 2A » Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
3A & 4A » Friday, 3:30 p.m.
1A-4A » Saturday, 10:30 a.m.
