Hereford indoor track and field coach Adam Hittner can count Jan. 20 as one of the highlight nights of his storied coaching career. He watched his girls and boys win Baltimore County team championships and total 14 gold medals.
Two of his athletes, Eli Aitken and Dempsey Nelson, pulled off the ultra-challenging triple — winning the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters at the Baltimore Fifth Regiment Armory.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever asked an athlete to do all three events all in the same day,” Hittner said. “They both took on the challenge and it was incredible to watch. They were both completely comfortable at all times in all three races. They ran within themselves, they ran smart, they raced. They understood the assignment. This is not about times, not about PRs, this is about beating everyone that’s on the track with you and piling up the points and hopefully we can come home with both team trophies and we were able to do that.”
The girls won the meet with 131 points over runner-up Woodlawn (100), but the early part of the meet found the Warriors well ahead.
“They literally scored 41 points in five minutes and we scored zero, Hittner said. “We won every event for the rest of the night. “It was incredible, like top to bottom, sprint, distance, field. It was one of the overwhelmingly positive days I’ve ever had as a coach.”
Nelson’s rise to elite status didn’t come without its obstacles.
“She was a really good runner in middle school, but she got hurt and she didn’t run for a year,” Hittner said. “She just got back to running for outdoor track last spring. “Now, she’s approaching a year of consistent training and she has just taken off. She works so hard, like she’s incredibly diligent. She wants to be great to the point that we have to hold her back.”
Dempsey clocked 2:27.91 in the 800 and held off sophomore teammate Kylie Jacobson (2:31.24) and Catonsville’s Olivia Virago (2:31.31).
She captured the 1,600 in 5:21.55 with teammates Charlie Brilll and Jacobson finishing third and fourth. She also held off Brill in the 3,200 with a winning time of 11:45.77.
The Bulls produced two other individual champions in junior Laylah Ensor, who won the 500 (1:19.23), and Eliza Fox, who won high jump (5-2).
“That girls high jump competition was really deep,” Hittner said. “I think six of the eight girls had all cleared 5 feet and 5-2. She’s been a big time performer. We outscored three Woodlawn girls. For them to have three girls capable of winning the event and for us to have one and we outscored them.”
The other three of the eight gold medals won by the girls team came from the 4×800 relay (Isabella DeSantis, Juliette Verderaime, Ana Tosi and Kylie Jacobson), 4×400 (Cayden Bennis, Riley Boerner, Olivia Clark and Layla Ensor) and the 4×200 (Ensor, Bennis, Boerner and Clark).
The title for the girls was the first since 2023, In 2024, Woodlawn won the title, breaking the 17-year streak of county titles for the Bulls.
“We were just relentless from top to bottom,” Hittner said. “I was just incredibly proud of everyone on that team yesterday.”
Hereford boys ride Aitken to the top
Sophomore Eli Aitken set the winning tone with three individual championships for the Hereford boys, who won with 87 points, holding off Dulaney (60) and Towson (40).
Aitken won the 800 in 2:03.33, the 1,600 in 4:41.84 and the 3,200 in 10:05.47. Aitken continued his distance running prowess. In the fall, he was first in Baltimore County and fourth in the state in cross country.
“Cross country is the weaker sport for him; the long race is not his specialty,” Hittner said. “All that cross country work really benefited his endurance. He’s really strong, he’s incredibly fast and he’s a great 4×400 leg for us. He’s an incredibly talented young man.”
Aitken wasn’t alone with multiple top-of-the-podium finishes. Senior Ben Wheeler won the 300 (36.83) and 500 (1:08.48).
“Ben is the old reliable superstar for us,” Hittner said. “He sweeps the 300 and the 500 at the county meet, dominant victories in both of them.”
Hereford’s Richard Wang added the sixth individual crown by winning pole vault (12-03). He overcame early problems of coming down on the bar and emerged victorious.”
“It just comes together as he takes a few more jumps,” Hittner said.
It’s all coming together for the Bulls who will continue their postseason journey Feb. 4 in regionals at the Prince George’s County Learning Complex. The girls were state champions in 2024 and finalists last year. The boys also won the state title in 2024.
Individual champions
Girls
300: Destiny Coleman, Wood 42:38
1,600: Dempsey Nelson, Here 5:21.55
500: Laylah Ensor, Here 1:19.23
55 hurdles: Destiny Coleman, Wood 8.33
55 meters: Anjela Fitzhugh, Wood, 7.23
3200: Dempsey Nelson, Here 11:45.77
800: Dempsey Nelson, Here 2:27.91
Shot put: Kimani Dennis, Dul 36-08.75
High jump: Eliza Fox, Here 5-02
Pole vault: Aurlani Irvin, Wood 11-00
Boys
300: Ben Wheeler, Here 36.83
1,600: Eli Aitken, Here 4:41.84
500: Ben Wheeler, Here 1:08.48
55 hurdles: Brandon Brown, Dun 8:07
55 meters: Bronte Mortan, Tow 6:53
3,200: Eli Aitken, Here 10:05.47
800: Eli Aitken, Here 2:03.33
Shot put: Mason Triplin, Dun 52:05.75
High jump: Sincere Noble, Spt 6-02
Pole vault: Richard Wang, Here 12:03
Team scores
Girls
Hereford 131, Woodlawn 100, Dulaney, 39, Franklin 23, Western Tech 18, Carver A&T 18, Dundalk 12, Catonsville 9, Sparrows Point 8, Towson 8, New Town 8.
Boys
Hereford 87, Dulaney 60, Towson 40, Dundalk 36, Parkville 25, Milford Mill 24, Franklin 23, Overlea 17, Catonsville 17, Carver A&T 16.
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