BOYS TEAM
RUNNER OF THE YEAR
* Eric Benjamin, C. Milton Wright, sophomore -- At 6 feet 2, 170 pounds, he may be the biggest champion in the 27-year history of the Harford cross country meet. But he is a dedicated runner who trains and competes year-round. He ran 4 minutes, 37 seconds as a freshman miler last spring. "He's a very hard worker, very motivated and dedicated," said coach Bob Johnson. He placed third in the regional meet and fifth in the 3A state meet.
COACH OF THE YEAR
* Donnie Mickey, Fallston -- In his second year as the Cougars' coach, he assembled a squad of 26 runners then guided them through a tough six-day-a-week training regimen. In winning the county meet for the first time since 1986, his Cougars ended C. Milton Wright's seven-year dominance. A former collegiate runner (Frostburg State), the 25-year-old gym teacher still runs 70 miles per week and ran many of the workouts with his team.
THE TEAM AT A GLANCE
* Mike Martinek, Fallston, junior -- As consistent No. 2 runner for the Cougars, he was a key man in Fallston's undefeated season against county teams. He placed fourth in both county and regional meets, 20th in the state 2A meet.
* Chris Parkinson, Fallston, senior -- He won the 2A regional meet, took third in the county and fifth in the state. His time in the state meet was the fastest among Harford boys. "He is a hard worker and has a lot of untapped talent," said coach Mickey.
* Nick Sayers, Fallston, freshman -- A converted soccer player, he began the season as the Cougars' sixth runner and worked his way up to the No. 3 spot. He placed fifth in the county and eighth in regional.
* Stuart Simms, Joppatowne, senior -- He was a junior varsity football player in his first two years of high school before trying cross country. In this, his first season as a harrier, he placed seventh in the county and 21st in the 1A state meet.
* Dave Warnick, C. Milton Wright, junior -- The runner-up in both the county and regional meets, he was the only Harford boy to beat Runner of the Year Eric Benjamin. He did so four times during the season. He placed seventh in the state 3A meet.
* Todd Weller, Fallston, senior -- He placed sixth in the county and sixth in the 2A regional meet. An outstanding scholar, he leads Fallston's senior class with a perfect grade-point average.