Almost a week later and Manchester Valley coach Jim MacDonald still couldn’t believe the exhilarating end to the Carroll County indoor track and field championships Saturday at Hagerstown Community College.
With three teams within 10 points of each other, the 4×400 meter relay was the race that decided it all and the team of Ezekiel Harris, Wyatt Zeigenfuse, Logan Amis, Tyler Shilling came through, winning the event and giving the Mavericks the county title.
“We knew the meet was going to be really close and it was going to come down to the relay, which is a strong event for us,” MacDonald said. “Our guys fought after a long day and were ready to go, they ran great.”
Zeigenfuse, the anchor on the relay put the stamp on an impressive day that included first place in the 300 and the 500. Harris, also finished first in the 55-meter dash before helping the relay team bring home the ultimate prize.
The Mavericks finished with a score of 102.5 after all 13 events, Century (96) finished second with Liberty (87) taking third place.
“The guys were all running so well leading up to counties,” MacDonald said. “They love to compete and one thing I can always count on is that they give everything they have during a meet. They do not hold back.”
Century girls takes home sixth straight county title
The Knights came into this season’s meet facing the challenges that have plagued most, if not all winter sports programs. A revolving door of available athletes due to injury and sickness coupled with the winter weather that destroyed practice plans several times, coach Alexis Daniel knew her team would have to rise above in order to check off a huge goal the program had for this season.
Her girls did just that with a dominant showing to bring home the county title.
“We had some challenges but we over came them,” Daniel said. “We know it’s a really great county, but our girls worked hard, brought their A-game all season and focused on getting better every time out.”
The Knights won their sixth straight county title with a score of 135. Manchester Valley (99) finished second with Westminster (92) close behind, taking third place.
Charlotte Prunkl won the girls pole vault with an impressive vault of 10-6. Cailyn Stine’s 1:19 was enough to win the 500, a race where teammates Alle Machiesky and Katie Mitroka took third and fourth, respectfully. Machiesky also took third in the pole vault.
Freshman Ella Lustig’s debut at the county championships went well as she finished second in the 800. Senior Emily Mitroka finished second in the 1,600 with Taylor Colson coming in third. Colson also won the 3,200.
The Knights’ dominance was also on display in the shot put with Kyra Stefanoski winning the event and teammate Natalie Woolford finishing second. Daniel lauded the fact that many of the day’s events saw Century runners flooded near the top.
“I can speak for my coaches when I say we are so proud and elated with our athletes,” she said. “They push each other every day in practice and we get to see that translate to where they can see their own potential.”
Impressive performances countywide
Liberty’s Greg Schellberg finished first in the 800 and the 3,200. He also finished second in the 1,600. Ava Snyder, who also had an impressive day in her own right, finished first in the girls 1,600. Kamsi Onyeukwu won the 55 while Micah Cooney finished first in the 55 hurdles.
Tobi Adelaja and Alex Gearhart highlighted a solid day for Francis Scott Key, finishing first and second, respectfully in the boys high jump. Zion Ojo-Osagie finished second in the 55 and teammate Cody Volz finished second in the 500. With only five varsity competitors on the girls side, the Eagles competed. Madison Koterba finished second in the 55.
Winters Mill’s Ava Staley finished first in the High Jump with a jump of 5-2. Madison Summers finished third in the 55. On the boys side for the Falcons, Kim Brengle and Max Myers finished second and third in the 55 hurdles while Deon Whitlow took third in the 55. The team of Maddox Shuman, Lucas Adrian, Carter Wright and Kaden Hovermale took second in the 4×800 relay and Alex Yeon finished third in the shot put.
Boys team standings
1- Manchester Valley 102.5
2- Century 96
3- Liberty 87
4- Winters Mill 65.50
5- Westminster 57
6- Francis Scott Key 50
7- South Carroll 36
Girls team standings
1- Century 135
2- Manchester Valley 99
3- Westminster 92
4- Liberty 72
5- South Carroll 41
6- Winters Mill 25
7- Francis Scott Key 20