Coaches of the Year
Bakari and Bennett served as co-coaches for a Rams team that captured the Class 3A state championship decisively. They totaled 67 points, beating second-place Northern-Calvert by 25.
“Our motto for this year was ‘Attitude of Gratitude,’” Bakari said. “Everything we did we were thankful for. We learned a lot of lessons from last year. We contribute that to, one team, one focus, one goal. The kids bought into our philosophy.”
Digital Harbor used a strong lineup to rack up its points with two individual state champions — LaMont Johnson (300) and Jevonte Williams (55 hurdles) and two championship relay teams. The Rams also had two runner-up finishes and two others in the top four.
“We have a really strong core of sprinters, hurdlers, long sprinter and a great shot put, great field. It was a true, track AND field win,” Bakari said. “Our 4×2 and 4×4 [relays] ran strong, both were first-place winners. We also have a shuttle hurdle relay team that went and won nationals too.”
FIRST TEAM Cameron Davis, Calvert Hall, senior, distance:
Davis has been among the area’s premier distance runners for years and continued his dominance with two more Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference titles in the 1,600 (4:27.11) and 3,200 (9:39.3).
Justin DeVaughn, Mervo, junior, jumps/ sprints:
DeVaughn electrified the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex crowd when he cleared 6 feet, 6 inches to win the Class 4A state high jump title. He also finished third in the 55-meter hurdles and ran on two top-five relay teams.
Chase Dorsey, Calvert Hall, junior, throws:
Dorsey, the area’s top thrower, launched the shot put more than 55 feet during a meet in New York this season. He won the MIAA A Conference championship, throwing 50-7.
Joseph Ensor, Howard, senior, distance: Ensor, the top Howard County performer, became a two-time state champion, winning Class 3A gold in the 1,600 (4:20.76) and 3,200 (9:43.55).
Tsedeke Jakovics, Old Mill, junior, distance:
Jakovics was three-tenths of a second away from being a two-time state champion but still earned the Class 4A 800 state title (1:54.82) to go with a runner-up finish in the 1,600 (4:18.64).
LaMont Johnson, Digital Harbor, junior, sprints: Johnson was a big piece of the Rams’ title team, winning the Class 3A
300 (35.09) and finishing second in the 500 (1:06.55). He also ran on the winning 4×200 and 4×400 relays.
Lukas Michael, Westminster, senior, pole vault: Michael repeated as Class 3A state pole vault champion. The Carroll County gold medalist set a personal best when he cleared 14 feet there.
Marlin Newsome, Centennial, senior, sprints: Newsome won the Class 2A state championship in the 55-meter dash. He finished in 6.38 seconds, the best time at any public school or MIAA championship meets.
Jack Watcher, Loyola Blakefield, senior, pole vault: Watcher won the MIAA A Conference pole vault championship, clearing 14 feet. He vaulted an area-best 14-6 at the U.S. Marine Corps Holiday Classic in New York.
Ben Wheeler, Hereford, sophomore, sprints: Wheeler was crucial in the Bulls’ charge for the Class 2A state team title. He won the 500 (1:06.08) and was the runner-up in the 300 (35.62).
Jevonte Williams, Digital Harbor, sophomore, sprints: Williams ran the 55 hurdles in 7.51 seconds — the top time at any public or MIAA championship meet — to win the Class 3A state title. He also was part of the Rams’ two championship relays.
Kian Williams, Severna Park, senior, jumps:
Williams won the Class 3A high jump state title with a mark of 6-6. He went as high as 6-8 at a national meet in Virginia. Though not state events, Williams won the long and triple jump at the Anne Arundel County championships.
SECOND TEAM
Khary Adams, Loyola Blakefield, sophomore
Cam Brown, Gilman, junior
Christian Childs, Manchester Valley, senior
Chancellor DeRosier, Old Mill, senior
DamonFergusonJr., Milford Mill, sophomore
Jadon Gaines, Hereford, senior
Tristan Gray, Digital Harbor, junior
Justin Naylor, Joppatowne, junior
Ojigwe Olua, Western Tech, junior
Kayvawn Simms Rogers, Meade, senior
Jake Weakland, Hereford, senior
Alexander Wockenfuss, Harford Tech, junior