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Washington County Preps Previews |
While the Boonsboro boys are the two-time defending Washington County indoor track and field champions, they’ve had trouble matching that success outdoors in recent years.
The Warriors haven’t been county champs since 2002 outdoors, where there are more events and, therefore, more bodies needed.
Boonsboro will be stretched thin again this spring.
“Numbers are low,” said Warriors coach Becky Walter, who has about 30 boys on her roster. “There’s not much depth, but we have the talent. ... There are just only so many events I can put Kenny Kopp and Coby Gussio in.”
Gussio ranked No. 1 in the Tri-State area last spring in both the long jump (22-6) and triple jump (44-11 1/4) and was No. 2 in the 400 (48.95), while fellow senior Kopp can score big points in the vertical jumps and hurdles.
Boonsboro’s arsenal also includes junior J.R. Lowery, who won a Class 1A indoor state title in the shot put last month, and senior Evan Moser, who placed fourth at last fall’s state cross country meet.
Walter also expects big contributions from seniors Rodney Flora (sprints, jumps) and Arthur Lacey (middle distance) and sophomore Ethan Allnut (sprints).
“We’ll probably have trouble filling some of the relay teams,” Walter said. “We might be overlooked early on, but once we get to that state meet, we’ll look to be in the top three.”
Williamsport
The Wildcats, the two-time defending outdoor county champs, return only two of their seven all-county selections from last spring — junior Evan Hardy (distance) and senior Nate Willis (middle distance).
Senior Stephen Christy, who set a county meet record in the high jump (6-4 1/4) last spring, could make it three if he decides to rejoin the team. His status is unknown.
Hardy, a two-time state champ indoors this year, leads a distance crew that was the county’s best in cross country last fall.
Standout wrestlers Reggie Russ and Eric Davis, both seniors, join junior Collin Linton for a formidable trio of sprinters, while senior Chima Ezidinma (jumps) and sophomore Jesse Zeger (hurdles) are both coming off breakout indoor seasons.
“We just have to find a couple field-event people — some pole vaulters and some discus and shot put throwers,” coach John Bailey said. “But on the track, we’ll be able to hold our own.”
South Hagerstown
Senior sprinter Jordan Alston, who won county titles last spring in the 200, 4x100 and 4x200, highlights the Rebels’ returnees.
Senior Brandon Horning and sophomore Bryan Durboraw lead an improved distance squad, while sprinters Chip Rittenhouse, a senior, and Kwasi Ofosu-Ameyaw, a junior, and senior hurdlers Anthony Green and Devon Herring all held their own this year indoors.
“Compared to last year, I think we’ll be a little better. We’re going to see more production from our distance runners,” said coach Dwayne Freeman, whose boys were county runners-up last spring. “But looking at Boonsboro and Williamsport, it’s going to be tough to compete with them. But we’re going to give it a shot.
“I’m pretty optimistic. There are always pleasant surprises with us, and I’m counting on that again this year.”
The Warriors haven’t been county champs since 2002 outdoors, where there are more events and, therefore, more bodies needed.
Boonsboro will be stretched thin again this spring.
“Numbers are low,” said Warriors coach Becky Walter, who has about 30 boys on her roster. “There’s not much depth, but we have the talent. ... There are just only so many events I can put Kenny Kopp and Coby Gussio in.”
Gussio ranked No. 1 in the Tri-State area last spring in both the long jump (22-6) and triple jump (44-11 1/4) and was No. 2 in the 400 (48.95), while fellow senior Kopp can score big points in the vertical jumps and hurdles.
Boonsboro’s arsenal also includes junior J.R. Lowery, who won a Class 1A indoor state title in the shot put last month, and senior Evan Moser, who placed fourth at last fall’s state cross country meet.
Walter also expects big contributions from seniors Rodney Flora (sprints, jumps) and Arthur Lacey (middle distance) and sophomore Ethan Allnut (sprints).
“We’ll probably have trouble filling some of the relay teams,” Walter said. “We might be overlooked early on, but once we get to that state meet, we’ll look to be in the top three.”
Williamsport
The Wildcats, the two-time defending outdoor county champs, return only two of their seven all-county selections from last spring — junior Evan Hardy (distance) and senior Nate Willis (middle distance).
Senior Stephen Christy, who set a county meet record in the high jump (6-4 1/4) last spring, could make it three if he decides to rejoin the team. His status is unknown.
Hardy, a two-time state champ indoors this year, leads a distance crew that was the county’s best in cross country last fall.
Standout wrestlers Reggie Russ and Eric Davis, both seniors, join junior Collin Linton for a formidable trio of sprinters, while senior Chima Ezidinma (jumps) and sophomore Jesse Zeger (hurdles) are both coming off breakout indoor seasons.
“We just have to find a couple field-event people — some pole vaulters and some discus and shot put throwers,” coach John Bailey said. “But on the track, we’ll be able to hold our own.”
South Hagerstown
Senior sprinter Jordan Alston, who won county titles last spring in the 200, 4x100 and 4x200, highlights the Rebels’ returnees.
Senior Brandon Horning and sophomore Bryan Durboraw lead an improved distance squad, while sprinters Chip Rittenhouse, a senior, and Kwasi Ofosu-Ameyaw, a junior, and senior hurdlers Anthony Green and Devon Herring all held their own this year indoors.
“Compared to last year, I think we’ll be a little better. We’re going to see more production from our distance runners,” said coach Dwayne Freeman, whose boys were county runners-up last spring. “But looking at Boonsboro and Williamsport, it’s going to be tough to compete with them. But we’re going to give it a shot.
“I’m pretty optimistic. There are always pleasant surprises with us, and I’m counting on that again this year.”
