CENTURY
Coach: Dyron Johnson, 3rd year
2018 county meet finish: First
Next meet: April 3 at Thomas Johnson, 4
Key losses: Ben Kennedy, Stephen Shinholt, Dan Smith, Jacob Spera, Max Tano, Jimmy Wiley
Key returners: Kyle Brosenne, Tyler Dregely, Jacob Havins, Stephen Hurst, Jalen Stanton
Outlook: Smith, the county’s shot put and discus champion, graduated but the Knights return Stanton, the Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year and a good amount of talent to even out the team’s ability to score in multiple events. The reigning county champions should rely on their depth to be a factor this season and Johnson said via email that staying healthy will be key.
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY
Coach: Juan Cortez, 6th year
2018 county meet finish: Fourth
Next meet: April 6 at Boonsboro, 10 a.m.
Key losses: Fru Bayelle, Austin Dykes, Seth Forney, Nate Imes, Jered Holland
Key returners: Jacksun Layne, Tanner Miller, Lorenzo Palumbo, Hayden Ritz, Jacob Watson
Outlook: The reigning 1A West champions graduated Bayelle, Dykes, and Imes from last spring’s all-county first team, but should see strength in sprints and mid-distance this year. Cortez said via email there is a lot to look forward to with Layne coming off a fourth place finish at indoor states for pole vault and Palumbo leading the Eagles’ sprints unit.
LIBERTY
Coaches: Amanda Milewski, 5th year; Sarah Sheetz, 4th year
2018 county meet finish: Fifth
Next meet: April 3 at Westminster, 4
Key losses: Brooks Chaney, Hayden Hertz, John Lemaster, Luca Pagni, Takota Stoner, Zach Stump
Key returners: Tyler Apellaniz, Ethan Arndt, Gavin Edson, Dan Saxon, Jake Beaumier, Woodrow Kashima, Darren Rodoff
Outlook: The Lions graduated Stump, last year’s pole vault county champion, from the all-county first team but Saxon is back to contribute in distance events. Improving on last year’s county finish and staying competitive in multiple events are two of the team’s goals this spring. “We also strive to qualify as many athletes as possible for the state meet,” Milewski said via email.
MANCHESTER VALLEY
Coach: Jim MacDonald, 3rd year
2018 county meet finish: Sixth
Next meet: April 3 at Westminster, 4
Key losses: Adam Melville, Andrew Jackson, John Stout
Key returners: Evan Bare, Nick Jones, Kacy Montgomery, Grant Scibek
Outlook: The Mavericks return Bare and Montgomery, two county champions and first team all-countians from last spring. The team’s senior class should be solid in providing leadership to the incoming athletes. “We have a nice group of 60 guys and we’re still working to determine a starting varsity lineup,” MacDonald said via email. “We hope to be competitive in all events.”
SOUTH CARROLL
Coach: Kevin Selby, 2nd year
2018 county meet finish: Third
Next meet: April 3 at Westminster, 4
Key losses: James Dytrt, Brayden Fugini, Lee Goodson, Knoll Hunt, Chris Scalzi, Jacob Wolff
Key returners: Luke Anderson, Dom Caparotti, Jason Cave, Josh Federici, John Kettula, Patrick Tunkel
Outlook: The Cavaliers return a diverse bunch with the potential to score in a number of events to help the team contend for a few championships. Look for the Cavs’ mid-distance unit to be solid. “We have a lot of great athletes that just came out to the team and we have a ton of returners from last year,” Selby said via email.
WESTMINSTER
Coach: Desmond Wars, 4th year
2018 county meet finish: Second
Next meet: April 3 vs. Liberty, Man Valley, SC, 4
Key losses: Brandon Arbaugh, Noah Griffin, Thomas Harry, Zane Lewis, Tavian Montgomery, Cole Prodoehl
Key returners: Jay Boggs, Austin Cartwright, Charlie Ferguson, Austin Foote, Wilson Funk, Danny Gillchrist, Joey Petrowicz
Outlook: The Owls graduated three first team all-countians last spring in Lewis, Montgomery and Prodoehl. The team should have additional depth in multiple events with the addition of some fresh faces. “We’re looking to our remaining seniors to set the table and help groom our younger runners for years to come,” assistant coach Ryan DuLaney said via email.
WINTERS MILL
Coaches: Dan Replogle, 2nd year; Ben Brown, 2nd year
2018 county meet finish: Seventh
Next meet: April 6 at Pikesville, 9 a.m.
Key losses: Matt Davis, Brayden Dease, Sean Gore
Key returners: Jack Frantz, Tyson Holmes, Dylan Steinwedel
Outlook: Frantz and Steinwedel are both coming off impressive indoor seasons. Frantz won a county title in the 800 and Steinwedel captured county, regional, and state championships in shot put. This duo should be highly competitive and provide a solid mix of talent for the Falcons this spring. “We are looking for this team to continue to get better through hard work and dedication,” Brown said via email.
