All-Howard County: Boys cross country

Runner of the Year

Joey Thompson, Howard

After helping the Lions to two state titles in outdoor track, Thompson joined the cross country team this year and really turned it on in the back half of the season. The senior beat Atholton's Graham Bazell to win the Howard County championship. Then, after losing to Bazell the next week in the Class 3A East regional race, Thompson scored a decisive victory in the state race. Thompson ran away from the field for a 25-second win.

Coach of the Year

Earl Lauer, River Hill

Lauer urged his runners to work hard on their own over the summer, pointing toward the state title race from Day One of practice.

The Hawks won the Class 2A state title - River Hill and Lauer completed the sweep by also taking the girls crown - using strong balance throughout and benefiting from the tough schedule they faced in Howard County.

Lauer knew how strong the rest of the county was, saying at the Run From the Lions' Den meet at Liberty that "we may not be able to get out of our county." He was right, as Wilde Lake won the county, and the Hawks took second.

But the Hawks edged Mount Hebron by seven points to take the Class 2A South regional title, and beat defending champion Francis Scott Key by 20 for the state crown.

Note:

Runner and Coach of the Year were selected by Jeff Seidel after consultation with

The Sun

staff and area coaches.