Eastern Shore Indoor Track

2009 Maryland State Indoor Track & Field Championships

This past week, students from 1A, 2A and 3A high schools participated in the 2009 Maryland State Indoor Track & Field Championships. It is a whole different world in that competition. The venue is the Prince Georges County Sports and Learning Complex. The Snow Hill Indoor arena is a huge improvement over the Wicomico Civic Center. At Snow Hill the arena is a 166 meter course and at the states there is a 200 meter course. The change takes some adjustment in strategy and technique. Many schools on the Western Shore are accustomed to the course and have a big advantage. Having said that, a lot of local athletes did well at the States. Readers please feel free to add positive comments about different schools and athletes.

Please check out the videos on these races on www.runningmaryland.com

Mardela has put teams together and we want to encourage them to keep at it. The Early Girls will be missed. The coach is a very good encourager.

Snow Hill is putting teams up there and David Hall is doing a good job.

North Caroline's Tip Worob came in sixth in the 3200 meter race with a 10:23. The program there is growing and the coach is doing a good consistent job.

1A 1600 Maurice Cotton ran a great race. About half way through the race, he was in sixth place. He had the heart to put it into gear and go after some guys. He ended strongly in third place. He has been a great competitor and I hope he has inspired others to run in the Washington program. He has put in a lot of unheralded work while running at Washington and his character will do him well in his studies in the future.

Eldon Smith from WiHi came in fifth in the 55 meter dash with a 6.733. He will be returning next year

Nolan Matthews from Kent Island came in third on the 800 with a 2:04.86. Teammate John Taylor finished second in the 55 meter hurdles and third in the high jump. I will miss the Kent Island families.

Bennett's Dan Webster ran his best time ever and finished second in the 1600 with a 4:30.00 time. The first place winner, Craig Morgan, set a record for 2A with a 4:21. Luke Arbuckle of Elkton finished third with a 4:34.39. Ryan Moreno captured fourth place in the pole vault. Previous State Champ (Pole vault) Zack Dorman has been working very long hours with Bennett's Rock and Roll Revival and has been sick lately.

Zack Temple of Parkside finished seventh in the 1600 with a 4:46.54 and fifth in the 3200 with a 10:20.58. He also ran relays that other runners did not have to run. He has a lot of heart and is a great team player. Parkside's relay team won a very respectable fourth place witha 8:52.26. Zack Temple, Tommy Robinson, Zak Osborne and Eric Wood ran well against a lot of good teams.

Meredith Rogers finished fifth in the 55 meter dash for Bennett at 7:52. Brigegue Woodson came in fourth with a 8.95 in the 55 meter hurdles and Misha Holmes from North Caroline came in fifth at 9:90 .

Charlotte Staver for Queen Annes came in second but had her best time ever in the 800 meters with a 2:17.03.

I would recommend Track programs in your schools. It has been a supportive environment. My wife and I have gotten to know families from all over the Eastern Shore. We have come to pull for athletes from schools other than our own. A lot of the hatred of rival teams can be out there these days and track seems to give a positive outlet. Sportsmanship is encouraged. Kwame Bryant of Parkside exemplifies good sportsmanship. I watch him after every race congratulate the other runners.

This report encompasses the 1A 2A Meet. I would encourage someone who attended the 3 A Meet to chime in and give a report.

Good job to all those who have participated. Check the results of your school athletes who ran ( it would take many pages to cover everyone). Running Maryland website is a great tool out there to get excited about your own track program. Feel free to add something positive about your team.