LANDOVER - The Archbishop Curley indoor track and field team ended No. 4 Mount St. Joseph's three-year unbeaten reign in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association by trouncing a field of 10 teams in the conference's season-opening meet at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex yesterday.
In conjunction with the MIAA, the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland also opened its season at the Landover facility, as No. 6 Mount de Sales coasted over a field of 14 schools.
In recent years, Archbishop Curley's success had slipped. So to remind his Friars of their foundation, coach Gene Hoffman pointed out several of his former track champions like coaches Jack Peach with the Gaels, Adam Siripoonsup at Calvert Hall and Rob Torres at John Carroll.
"I'm trying to show them that we have been a force in track and field in the Baltimore area," Hoffman said. "It used to be a respected, proud tradition, and it's time to live up to that."
Archbishop Curley amassed 119.5 points courtesy of a triple-win effort from Charles Devaud. The reigning conference indoor champion in 55-meter hurdles and the triple jump was first in both events (hurdles, 7.7 seconds; triple jump, 39 feet, 11 inches) and also won the pole vault (12-6).
"We've been looking forward to this year since our freshman year," said Devaud, who was joined in the win column by senior Eric Hanson's 2:08.1 victory in the 800. "We knew we had the talent. We've waited for it to develop this year."
Mount St. Joseph, which has captured the last six MIAA titles, finished second with 65 points and boasted a winner in Steve Collins (shot put, 40-9.5).
McDonogh, which placed third with 56.5 points, featured a double winner in Tristram Thomas (4:40.7 in the 1,600, time unavailable in the 3,200), a long jump victor in Travon Hill-Chadwick (19-9) and a winning 3,200 relay in Rory Sanborn, Drew Taubenfeld, Brian Weiss and Luke Stewart.
Gilman's Ambrose Wooden won the 55 (6.4) and the 300 (36.6) and joined fellow seniors Ross Taylor, Tap Kolkin and Alex Janian to grab the 800 relay (1:36.7). Calvert Hall's Andy Rejent claimed the 500 (1:08.7), while St. Frances' Tavon Moss won the high jump (6-2).
In the IAAM, the Sailors blistered the field en route to gaining 117.5 points. Martha Raver was victorious in the 55 (7.5) and the long jump (15-03), while Ashley Duckett posted firsts in the 300 (43.9) and the hurdles (9.0) and ran with Catherine Grenfell, Christina Stanley and Mattie Powell to win the 800 relay (1:54.6).
"This is a very good first step," said Mount de Sales coach Kenny Mills, whose squads have won the last two conference crowns. "With the depth we have, I definitely could see us, by the championship meet [on Jan. 24], running faster times and record times."
Bryn Mawr finished second with 72.5 points courtesy of four wins by Laura Drossner (800, 1,600, 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay) and two by Cassandre Tanner (high jump, triple jump).
Seventh-ranked Maryvale Prep was third (71.3 points) as Kelly Sullivan claimed the 3,200. Her twin, Glenna, competed in only one event because of a fever.