Winters Mill boys, Manchester Valley girls take home Carroll County track and field titles
A third of a point.
That’s how close Winters Mill came to a county indoor track and field title in the winter. Fueled with the disappointment of being so close, paired with the confidence of a thorough lineup, the Falcons took home the outdoor track and field county championship Thursday night.
“When we came into this, we knew we would be one of the top contenders,” co-head coach Larissa Plumber said. “The kids were hungry and they wanted to win.”
Winters Mill finished with a score of 147, beating out defending Manchester Valley (130), who finished second while Liberty (120) took third place.
An all-around effort carried the Falcons to the title this year, as they excelled in both track and field events on the day. Alexander Yeon led the way, finishing first in the shot put and discus throw.
On the track, Deon Whitlow finished first in the 100 meter dash (11.05) and put up an impressive time to win the 200 as well (22.43). Isaiah Rivera, who finished second to his teammate in the 200, broke away from the field to win the 400 (49.43), adding another first place finish to the Falcons resume as they celebrated the programs first county title since 2011.
“We had a lot of the top distance runners, we had a lot of top sprinters we had a top thrower and even top jumpers,” Jessica Huber, the other Falcons coach said. “We put it all together and came out on top.”
Boys team results: 1. Winters Mill (147), 2. Manchester Valley (130), 3. Liberty (120), 4. Century (101), 5. Westminster (97), 6. Francis Scott Key (61), 7. South Carroll (32).
Manchester Valley girls earn narrow 2.5 point victory.
It may have came down to the final couple of events, but in the end the Mavericks came out on top with the narrow victory and the county championship.
Finishing with 141.5 points after 18 events, the Mavericks edged out second place Westminster (139), who saw another impressive showing from Emma Reaves in her final county championships before heading to throw at the University of New Hampshire.
Francis Scott Key took home third place with 119.5 points.
“There was a lot of great competition out there today,” Manchester Valley’s Elizabeth Szybalski said. “That’s what pushed me today and I was able to get two PR’s.”
The difference in the meet may have been the Mavericks’ second place finish in the 4×400 meter relay where Szybalski, Charleigh Seifert, Alyssa Haines and Hailey Partridge outlasted Westminster, who finished third. The relay was won by Century’s Gracie Tourangeau, Charlotte Prunkl, Natalie Holcombe and Cailyn Stine.
Szybalski eventually found herself on top as she finished first in both the 400 (59.22) and the 800 (2:15.9). In the 3,200, it was teammate Lyla Goffena winning in 12:00.78 as the Mavericks claimed the top three finishes in that event alone.
“I have really been working on my 400 speed because last year I was more focused on my 800,” Szybaski said. “It’s helped me in both events. I’ve gotten to practice every day and worked with my teammates and coaches to better myself.”
With the county championship locked up, the grind doesn’t stop for Szybalski and the Mavericks. With regionals next on the checklist, the senior celebrates Thursday’s great day, while at the same time remaining laser focused on the next steps.
“We’re going right back to work tomorrow.”
Girls team results: 1- Manchester Valley (141.50) 2- Westminster (139) 3- Francis Scott Key (119.50) 4- Century (109) 5- Winters Mill (78) 6- Liberty (48) 7- South Carroll (16)