Meade track and field coach Nigel Holder was looking for something to change his team's look a few months ago and wasn't sure where to start. He eventually sat down at his computer and did a search for "different uniforms for track and field."
Holder ended up learning about compression outfits, tight-fitting uniforms designed to be more aerodynamic than the traditional shirts and shorts. He ordered the uniforms, which were a big hit with his squad and are gradually catching on with other area track teams.
"Whatever makes them feel good while they're running is good," said Holder, whose boys won the Class 3A indoor state title last month. "At first, they were like, they didn't know too much about the fabric or the company, and my kids don't like change too much, but I told them to ... just give it one shot."
Sixteen members of the squad did just that, and they found that the uniforms not only had a different look but helped their performances.
"When I first started wearing them, I could automatically feel a difference," said Meade sprinter Dahmar Smiles, who played a big role in the Mustangs taking the state title. "They're really lightweight and they cling to your body, so it's not as heavy as a straight cloth uniform. It also allows you to run as fast as you want without wind resistance."
The uniforms look similar to wrestling singlets or the long one-piece bathing suits favored by some competitive female swimmers. They're usually made of Lycra spandex, and are tight but easy to stretch and move in.
The logos also are made in a different way, being "sublimated" or manufactured as part of the jersey instead of being on top of it, further reducing weight.
Another benefit to the uniforms is that they limit the concerns athletes have on cold days; the visibility of any logos on clothing worn underneath uniforms is a violation of a National Federation of State High School Associations sports rule.
The rule states that only one 2 1/4 -square-inch logo can be displayed per item of clothing. An athlete can be disqualified if another is seen.
Steve Smith, the state rules interpreter for track and field for the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association, said the rule exists to prevent advertising. But this new type of uniform cancels that worry.
Cost might be the biggest problem with these uniforms, as they sell for around $40 to $45, twice as much as what schools normally pay for the cloth ones.
Track and field athletes are constantly searching for any kind of edge, however, and the Mustangs got just that this past winter.
"We've decided to order 16 more during outdoor track," Holder said. "The kids just loved it."
In addition to the perceived competitive edge the uniforms provide, they also are earning praise for aesthetics.
There are different styles, and Meade picked two-piece outfits.
"The uniforms definitely helped with [our] image," Smiles said. "Anytime you get something new, it gives you more respect. The whole new look says that we've been fighting to earn that top spot, and now we have it and are going to keep it until someone takes it from us."
Added Chris Dreyer, a sales representative for Cisco Inc., a Baltimore-based custom athletic uniform manufacturer: "It shows off their program, and that they're going to have the top-level athletes who are physically built where the product looks good on them. It's fashion."
Dreyer said such other schools as Mervo, Pikesville and Woodlawn are going to be using the uniforms this spring. Pikesville coach Gerard Filosa, who saw the uniforms at college and professional meets, ordered some three years ago and began using them as a motivational tool.
He and the other Pikesville coaches gave them to the athletes who were performing the best.
"You had to earn one of those uniforms, essentially," Filosa said. "They liked the idea. It almost kind of motivated them. I have kids this year asking for them, and I tell them that you've got to wait and see."
THE BOYS POLL
1. Meade
Last season -- Ranked No.1
Outlook -- The Mustangs are loaded. They won the Class 4A outdoor state title last spring, and with the addition of top sprinter Justin Murdock captured the Class 3A indoor state crown this winter. They have a solid core of athletes who can score points in sprints, relays and field events - a combination that's tough to beat.
2.Mount St. Joseph
Last season -- unranked
Outlook -- Once again, the Gaels have plenty of talent. Athletes like Dorian Johnson and others make the Gaels a tough team to get past in any meet.
3. Poly
Last season -- No. 6
Outlook -- For those who thought the Engineers might have been a fluke last year, guess again. Coach Steve Williams has helped build a solid program that uses good athletes all over the place and won the Class 2A indoor title this winter.
4. Gilman
Last season -- No. 4
Outlook -- The Greyhounds always boast plenty of talent in their lineup. Jabulani Blyden is versatile and will give Gilman points this year, but the team appears a bit thinner this spring, which could make things tougher for it in the big meets.
5. Loyola
Last season -- No. 2
Outlook -- The Dons don't have quite as much depth or experience - especially in distance races - as in years past, but they're still going to be one of the area's top teams. Joe Orsulak has developed into one of the area's top runners.
6. Calvert Hall
Last season -- unranked
Outlook -- There's plenty of strength in the distance races thanks to Anthony Rowe and Chris Swisko. The Cardinals also have the consistency of Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association indoor champion Pat Boyle in the shot put.
7. Western Tech
Last season -- unranked
Outlook -- Jermol Dix (sprints) and Chris Mills (distances) give Western Tech good balance. If it can keep improving, it will be among the top teams in the regional and state meets.
8. Howard
Last season -- No. 3
Outlook -- Howard stumbled a bit indoors, but the Lions should have a good shot at winning a third consecutive Class 2A state title outdoors. Joey Thompson should lead the way. He's one of the state's top distance runners .
9. Digital Harbor
Last season -- No. 5
Outlook -- After winning the Class 1A indoor state title, the Rams are looking for more in the spring. Paced by Anthony Drumgoole, Angelo Diggs and others, Digital Harbor knows how to get points in big meets, something it has proved over the past two seasons.
10. Glenelg
Last season -- unranked
Outlook -- The Gladiators did well in distances (led by Connor Pencek) and relays in the state meet, taking third overall in Class 1A. If they can fare as well in the spring, they'll be near the top of all the tough meets.
Also considered -- Francis Scott Key (unranked), Hereford (unranked), Mount Hebron (unranked), River Hill (unranked), South Carroll (unranked)
BOYS PERFORMERS TO WATCH
GRAHAM BAZELL
Atholton, distances -- Expect Bazell and Joey Thompson of Howard to battle for supremacy in Howard County. The junior is bouncing back from an injury that sidelined him for much of the winter.
Pat Boyle
Calvert Hall, field events -- The senior has grown into one of the area's top performers in the shot put. He easily won the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association title indoors.
Mason Campbell
Towson, distances -- The senior has been right near the top among distance runners the past two years and finally broke through this winter. He won the Class 3A 3,200-meter race.
Anthony Drumgoole
Digital Harbor, sprints-short distance -- The junior helped the Rams win the Class 1A state title indoors.
Dorian Johnson
Mount St. Joseph, field events -- The senior had a spectacular winter season, winning the MIAA triple jump and helping the Gaels take the team title.
Justin Murdock
Meade, sprints -- Murdock transferred to Meade from Glen Burnie and made the Mustangs that much tougher. He played a big role in Meade's Class 3A indoor state title.
Shawn Myers
Perry Hall, field events -- He swept the Baltimore County, regional and state titles in the winter. His vault of 14 feet easily gave him the Class 4A title.
Lee Reynolds
Poly, sprints -- His strong performances helped Poly win the Class 2A state title indoors.
Dahmar Smiles
Meade, sprints -- He's strong in sprints and relays and helped the Mustangs win the Class 3A state title indoors.
Joey Thompson
Howard, distances -- Thompson captured the Class 2A state championship in cross country last fall and then won the 1,600 state title indoors.
Other notables -- James Allen, Pikesville; Jabulani Blyden, Gilman; Matthew Brinkley, Meade, George Chambers, Archbishop Curley; Mark Cover, Eastern Tech; Angelo Diggs, Digital Harbor; Jermol Dix, Western Tech; Andrew Finlayson, Severna Park; Corey Fuller, Woodlawn; Colin Goodling, Hereford; J.P. Grant, McDonogh; Trevor Keen, Archbishop Spalding; Arthur Leathers, Francis Scott Key; Brandon Morales, Westminster; Craig Morgan, River Hill; Joe Orsulak, Loyola; Duane Parker, Mount St. Joseph; Connor Pencek, Glenelg; Markeith Price, Mount St. Joseph; Lemuel Pridgen, Mount St. Joseph; Terence Robinson, Mount St. Joseph; Anthony Rowe, Calvert Hall; Chris Sheridan, Gilman; Christian Smooth, Annapolis; Zach Sullivan, Archbishop Spalding; Chris Swisko, Calvert Hall; Anya Uzoh, Meade; Zach Weinstein, Mount Hebron.
THE GIRLS POLL
1. MCDONOGH
Last season -- Ranked No. 1
Outlook -- The Eagles again should have a team with talent and depth. They've had trouble in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland indoor title meet the past two years, losing close contests to Seton Keough, but the way McDonogh can compile points makes it a tough team to beat outdoors.
2. Seton Keough
Last season -- No. 5
Outlook -- Erin Brooks will carry a huge load, just as she did indoors. But Seton Keough will need more points from Colleen Shea and others on a consistent basis to be one of the area's best.
3. Western
Last season -- No. 3
Outlook -- The Doves again have a strong group of sprinters and relay teams, but do they have enough to compete at the state and regional level?
4. Hereford
Last season -- No. 8
Outlook -- Despite losing Kristen Malloy - she moved out of town during the indoor season - the Bulls have plenty of talent remaining thanks to Jenna Cimino, Marta Randall and others, something they showed with impressive performances in the bigger indoor meets.
5. Annapolis
Last season -- No. 9
Outlook -- Torrie Saunders plays a big role for the Panthers in sprints, but they can also score points in other places. They'll need that help to have a shot at regional and state titles.
6. Meade
Last season -- unranked
Outlook -- The Mustang boys are the team most look at first when it comes to track and field at this school, but don't forget about the girls. Anna Grimes and others helped the Mustangs with a strong indoor season.
7. Western Tech
Last season -- unranked
Outlook -- This is one of the area's fastest developing teams. Coming off a very strong indoor season, Western Tech appears poised to make some noise outdoors this spring.
8. Digital Harbor
Last season -- No. 7
Outlook -- Alyssa McClure continues to give the Rams lots of key points and makes them competitive in big meets. And the team appears to be developing more talent that will help in outdoor competition.
9. Loch Raven
Last season -- unranked
Outlook -- Kathryn Franke is coming off a strong indoor season in which the Raiders finished second in the state. The big concern is whether they will be as deep in the spring, when some of the girls play lacrosse and other sports.
10. Long Reach
Last season -- unranked
Outlook -- Sprinting is the key for the Lightning. Funmi Alabi and others spark Long Reach, and points from distances and field events could make it a tougher team in the spring.
Also considered -- Howard (unranked), Mervo (unranked), North Carroll (No. 6), South Carroll (unranked), Wilde Lake (unranked)
GIRLS PERFORMERS TO WATCH
Elyse Borisko
Howard, distance -- The sophomore turned in a strong performance and captured the Class 3A state title in the 3,200 meters indoors.
Erin Brooks
Seton Keough, sprints/field events -- She put on a spectacular performance in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland meet, carrying Seton Keough to a second straight indoor title two months ago. Brooks won the triple jump and long jump plus the 55 and 300 meters.
Kristen Brown
McDonogh, sprints-field events -- When McDonogh finished second in the IAAM indoor meet in January, the versatile Brown took second in the 55 meters, long jump and shot put - three events that aren't often done together.
Kellie Christian
Catonsville, sprints -- Christian took second in the state in the 300 (Class 3A) this winter and can give the Comets points in a variety of places.
Katie Harman
River Hill, distance -- The junior is becoming one of the state's top distance runners. Harman won the Class 2A state title in cross country last fall and took the 1,600 and 3,200 state titles in the winter.
Jess Huber
North Carroll, field events -- Huber seems to be the pole vaulter no one can beat. She won her third state title (Class 4A) this past winter and is going for a second outdoor crown this spring.
Michelle Newman
Eastern Tech, sprints-field events -- Newman developed into one of the state's top triple jumpers last spring. The senior also is a strong sprinter, taking second in the state (Class 2A) indoors in the 300.
Torrie Saunders
Annapolis, sprints -- She improved this past winter, and if she can combine with Jessica Tongue to do more damage in the spring, Annapolis will remain dangerous in the sprints and relays.
Erika Stasakova
John Carroll, distance -- The senior, who is headed to Lafayette next year, won the 800 and 1,600 last spring.
Jessica Tongue
Annapolis, sprints -- The senior combines with Torrie Saunders to give the Panthers a tough 1-2 combination. They helped Annapolis finish fifth in the state in Class 3A indoors.
Other notables -- Funmi Alabi, Long Reach, Sarah Bailey, C. Milton Wright; Lauren Campbell, Western Tech, Jenna Cimino, Hereford; Nicole Clarke, John Carroll; Eryn Donaldson, Mount Hebron; Kathryn Franke, Loch Raven; Anna Grimes, Meade; Joceyln Henline, Marriotts Ridge; Angela Humpbert, Hammond; Emma Larkin, Dulaney; Erin Laschinger, Notre Dame Prep; Maura Linde, Century; Jess Lockatell, South Carroll; Alyssa McClure, Digital Harbor; Camilla Nichols, Pikesville; Uju Ofoche, Parkville; Tyshia Oliver, R.F. Lewis; Kate Paczynski, Liberty; Tonamy Paterakis, McDonogh; Marta Randall, Hereford; Katie Rose, Glenelg; Fallon Rovel-Jones, New Town; Colleen Shea, Seton Keough; Kitria Stewart, Mervo; Rachel Sykes, South Carroll, Jen Whitfield, South River.