Maria Coffin has grown into one of the state's most dominant runners, finishing off a strong junior year for Annapolis with a great effort this spring.
She did not lose a local race this spring and ended the season with two victories in the Class 4A state meet. Coffin took the 3,200 meters on a hot night at Morgan State and came back the next morning to win the 1,600 — when the temperature was even higher (low 90s on the track).
Coffin had to do some work in the 3,200, running from behind most of the race before making a strong late kick to pull away and win in 10 minutes, 45.90 seconds. She won the 1,600 in 4:56.93.
"I'm really happy with the way it turned out," Coffin said. "I wasn't sure because I knew there was really good competition in the two races, and I'm glad I won both."
She fared well during the whole outdoor postseason. Coffin pulled off the tough sweep of the 1,600 and 3,200 at both the Anne Arundel County and Class 4A East Region title meets.
Coffin had bad luck at the state meets before this year. She came close but never had won a state championship before taking one in cross country and another during indoor track (1,600).
The junior now has four state titles and her eyes are on the prize once more next year, which is bad news for local distance runners.
"Next year," she said, "I'd really like to get more."