Although none of the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference teams could duplicate the Westlake High School boys’ track team’s ability to win a state title in the early session, a number of athletes from the conference departed with gold medals in individual events and relays in the 4A/3A state track and field meet May 23 at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex.
Northern’s girls settled for minor spoils while third this spring in the title defense of their 3A state championship with 42 points, but easily had the best showing of SMAC teams. Great Mills (19) finished in a three-way tie for 13th and St. Charles (7) finished tied for 28th. Among the SMAC boys 3A teams, Chopticon (32) finished tied for seventh, Great Mills (20) was 14th, Northern (18) took 16th and St. Charles (5) finished in a five-way tie for 26th.
The two 4A schools from SMAC had a decent showing at the same meet. In the girls’ events, North Point (25.5) finished 12th overall, while Leonardtown (13) finished in a tie for 19th. On the boys’ side, North Point (25) finished in sole possession of 11th place overall, one spot ahead of Leonardtown (21). Among male and female participants at both meets, several SMAC athletes rose to the forefront.
Leonardtown junior Emily Maury finished third in 800 and anchored the 3200 relay that took third.
“I really wanted to push going into that last lap,” she said. “I thought I had the chance to win, but those two Walter Johnson girls were just a little stronger. Our relay was very good. We were expected to finish third and that’s what we did. We wanted to do well for Ellie [Chamberlain] since it was her last race as a senior.”
In the girls 3A meet, Great Mills senior Kayla Rorie captured the state title in the 100 hurdles (14.25), while Northern senior Gabby Cope garnered the state crown in the shot put (40-07.75) and was second in the discus (126-03). Great Mills senior Carter Brotherton took third in the 3,200 (10:57.32) and placed sixth in the 1,600. St. Charles junior Destine Jordan placing third in the shot put (35-11.25) and Northern freshman Mya Summers was fourth in both the 100 (12.42) and the 200 (25.59).
In the boys 3A meet, Great Mills sophomore Zachary Braden finished second in the 100 (10.46); Northern senior Nathan Chaney was second in the triple jump (44-08.50) and senior teammate Jordan Tuck placed fourth in the 400 (48.49), Chopticon senior Weston Carr took fifth in the 800 (1:57.52) and senior teammate Dominic Longobardi was eighth in that event, while Great Mills Mobolaj “B.J.” Popoola was fifth in the 300 hurdles (40.12).
Chopticon’s quartet of seniors Dominic Longobardi, Nick Watson, Weston Carr and sophomore Colton Longobardi combined to place fourth in the 3,200 relay (7:51.97). Braves’ junior William Mandis took fourth in the discus (169-09) and was fifth in the shot put (47-06.00).
“I was hoping that I could hold on,” Longobardi said, referring to the 800-meter race. “When I made that final turn I still felt pretty strong. It was my last individual race so I just wanted to finish strong.”
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