RUNNER OF THE YEAR
JOEY THOMPSON
Howard
The junior excelled in his first year running cross country. Thompson helped Howard win back-to-back state titles in outdoor track last year and quickly grew into one of the state's top distance runners. He became a strong cross country runner this year, hitting his stride in the postseason when he beat county rival Graham Bazell in the Howard County and Class 3A state championship meets with strong performances on tough-weather days. Bazell had beaten Thompson three times in the regular season and once more in the regionals, but Thompson came up big in the state meet, beating the Atholton star by 38 seconds. Bazell finished third.
COACH OF THE YEAR
EARL LAUER
River Hill
Lauer made it known that he wanted his Hawks pointing toward the states from Day One. They talked about it before beginning their summer training, in the fall and throughout the season.
Having faced tough competition in Howard County during the regular season, the Hawks were well prepared for the postseason. They took second in the county and then turned in a strong effort to win the Class 2A state title.
The River Hill girls, also coached by Lauer, also won a state championship to complete the sweep, just as Lauer's Atholton teams did in 1989.