Introduction
The end of the 2019 outdoor track season marks ten years since MoCorunning.com published the 2000's All-Decade Teams (Boys, Girls) which celebrated the best T&F athletes who participated in Montgomery County, Maryland between 2000 and 2009. After completing those articles in 2009, Mocorunning decided that it would be a more manageable project if there was a halfway checkpoint. Hence, Mocorunning named the "Half-Decade Teams" in 2014. Today we celebrate the best T&F athletes who competed in Montgomery County between 2015 and 2019, and yes, there will be a Montgomery County All-Decade Team for 2010 to 2019 coming soon.
Selection Process
MoCorunning editor, reporter, photographer, keeper-of-statistics, and track & field fan Kevin Milsted researched and nominated 30 MCPS boys and 30 MCPS girls for consideration for this Half-Decade Team. MCPS coaches with more than 5 years of experience in Montgomery County were asked to review MoCorunning's nominees and rank all thirty boys and thirty girls in order, based on whatever criteria was most important to him or her. The 15 male and female athletes with the highest scores based on the coaches' votes are now shown here as members of the MoCorunning Half-Decade Team. Mocorunning named 10 male and 10 female Montgomery County private school athletes to the Team. MCPS coaches were asked to write in additional boys and girls who were not already nominated by MoCorunning. The athletes with the most write-in votes were added to the honorable mention list along with the other nominees.
The following coaches contributed to this Half-Decade Team. Without their thoughtful consideration of each athlete, this project would not have been possible.
Brandon Tynes James H. Blake
Brett Goyne - Richard Montgomery
Bryant Adams - Gaithersburg
Chad Young - Bethesda Chevy Chase
Dan Reeks - Sherwood
David Warren - Richard Montgomery
DeShawn Anderson - James H. Blake
Dessalyn Dillard - Paint Branch
Elrid Cason - Damascus
Eric Da Silva - Albert Einstein
Fran Parry - Northwest
Gio Reumante - Northwood
Herb Tolbert - Gaithersburg
Jonathan Thomas - Thomas S. Wootton | |
Karl Kraus - Rockville
Kellie Redmond - Thomas S. Wootton
Kevin Watson - Watkins Mill
Mark Anderson - Paint Branch
Patrick Calvin - Gaithersburg
Paul Jacobson - Winston Churchill
Rob Burke - Clarksburg
Robert Youngblood - Northwest
Scott Mathias - Clarksburg
Seann Pelkey - Quince Orchard
Stan Pawlowski - Magruder
Stephen Hays - Walt Whitman
Tom Martin - Walter Johnson |
Half-Decade Team Athletes
Eric Allen Jr., Bullis 2018
Andre Turay, Bullis 2019
Anthony Woods Jr., Northwest 2019
Ashton Allen, Bullis 2020
Austin Allen, Bullis 2019
Billy Emerson, Watkins Mill 2015
Chinedu Udeogu, Georgetown Prep 2016
Clarence Foote-Talley, Northwest 2019
Darnell Pratt, Good Counsel 2017
David Vincent Okoli, Watkins Mill 2020
Diego Zarate, Northwest 2015
Divinus Muteba, Northwest 2018
Eldad Mulugeta, Northwood 2019 | |
Eldon Phillips, Northwood 2018
Jabari Bennett, Blake 2018
Jack Wavering, Good Counsel 2016
Jay Pendarvis Jr., Bullis 2020
Josh Netterville, Northwest 2017
Obsaa Feda, Northwood 2019
Odera Nweke, Georgetown Prep 2019
Rohann Asfaw, Richard Montgomery 2017
Ryan Lockett, Poolesville 2018
Ryan Willie, Bullis 2020
Shyheim Wright, Northwest 2016
Thierry Siewe Yanga, Blair 2017 |
 Athlete of the Half-Decade
Eric Allen Jr., Bullis 2018
High School Personal Bests: 6.31c 55m (6.78 60m), 10.43 100m, 20.91 200m, 34.13 300m, 48.28 400m, 14.50 110m Hurdles, 40.68 300m Hurdles
Title Count: 9 IAC
Notes: All-American in the 200m dash. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m, 60m, 100m, and 300m. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 200m. Won New Balance National Titles in the Freshman 60m indoors and Freshman 100m outdoors.
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High School Personal Bests: 7.20 55m Hurdles, 13.73 110m Hurdles, 38.06 300m Hurdles, 6.38 55m, 22.06 200m, 49.17 400m
Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m hurdles and 110m hurdles. Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m hurdles and open 55m dash. Ranks #11 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 400m dash.
Photo by Craig Amoss
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High School Personal Bests: 6.47 55m, 10.76 100m, 21.73 200m, 36.57 300m, 22-05.00 Long Jump
Title Count: 2 State, 3 Region, 4 County
Notes: Ranks #8 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m. Ranks #7 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 200m. Ranks #9 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the long jump. Ranks #10 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m.
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High School Personal Bests: 6.34 55m, 10.85 100m, 20.94 200m, 33.62 300m, 7.57c 55m Hurdles (8.14 60m Hurdles), 15.04 110m Hurdles, 46.99 400m, 1:04.60 500m, 6-04.00 High Jump, 21-09.00 Long Jump
Title Count: 1 IAC
Notes: All-American in the indoor 400m and outdoor 200m. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2010 to 2019 in the 200m and 400m. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2010 to 2019 in the 55m, 300m, and 500m. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m/60m hurdles. Won New Balance National Titles in the Freshman 400m indoors and Freshman 400m outdoors.
Photo by Craig Amoss
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High School Personal Bests: 23-10.50 Long Jump, 6.55 55m, 10.67 100m, 22.32 200m, 7.86 55m Hurdles, 15.31 110m Hurdles, 40.64 300m Hurdles
Title Count: 4 IAC, 1 County (Independent Schools)
Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the long jump. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m. Won New Balance National Title in Freshman Long Jump.
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High School Personal Bests: 171-00.50 Discus, 49-03.00 Shot Put
Title Count: 1 State, 2 Region, 1 County
Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the discus. Ranks #8 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the shot put.
Photo by David Sinclair/McDaniel College; Used with Permission
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High School Personal Bests: 166-09.00 Discus, 47-10.00 Shot Put
Title Count: 3 IAC
Notes: Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the discus. Ranks #13 from Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the shot put.
Photo by Daniel Rose
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High School Personal Bests: 51-10.50 Triple Jump, 6-06.00 High Jump, 23-02.00 Long Jump
Title Count: 3 State, 4 Region, 7 County
Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the triple jump. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the high jump. Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the long jump.
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High School Personal Bests: 10.81 100m, 20.94 200m, 34.08 300m, 47.78 400m
Title Count: 3 WCAC, 2 County (Independent Schools)
Notes: All-American in the 200m. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 200m. Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 400m. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m.
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High School Personal Bests: 6.50 55m, 10.75 100m, 21.78 200m, 36.24 300m
Title Count: 2 State, 5 Region
Notes: Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m. Ranks #9 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 200m. Ranks #12 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m.
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High School Personal Bests: 49.6h 400m, 1:08.38 500m, 1:52.07 800m, 4:08.29c 1600m, 9:18.16 3200m
Title Count: 4 State, 6 Region, 6 County
Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 800m. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 1600m/mile. Ranks #7 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 3200m.
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High School Personal Bests: 6-09.00 High Jump, 21-07.50 Long Jump, 44-01.50 Triple Jump
Title Count: 2 State, 3 Region, 2 County
Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the high jump.
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High School Personal Bests: 4:15.89 1600m, 8:29.05 3000m, 9:02.19 3200m
Title Count: 2 State, 1 Region, 2 County
Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 3200m. Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 1600m.
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High School Personal Bests: 48.72 400m, 1:05.53 500m, 1:52.62 800m
Title Count: 3 State, 4 Region, 2 County
Notes: Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 800m. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 500m. Ranks #8 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 400m.
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High School Personal Bests (at Blake HS): 59-00.25 Shot Put, 144-05 Discus
Title Count: 4 State, 4 Region, 4 County
Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the shot put. Ranks #7 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the discus.
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High School Personal Bests: 4:17.65 1600m, 8:29.73 3000m, 9:10.31c 3200m (9:13.52 2-Mile), 1:58.06 800m
Title Count: 2 WCAC
Notes: Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 3200m. Ranks #9 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 1600m.
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High School Personal Bests: 34.32 300m, 48.30 400m
Title Count: 1 IAC
Notes: Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 400m.
Photo by Craig Amoss
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High School Personal Bests: 6.40 55m, 22.27 200m, 34.91 300m, 22-11.00 Long Jump
Title Count: 2 State, 4 Region, 3 County
Notes: Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m. Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the long jump. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m.
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High School Personal Bests: 2:37.54 1000m, 4:19.88 1600m, 8:39.60 3000m, 9:09.01 3200m, 6:03.85 3000m Steeple
Title Count: 2 Region
Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 2000m Steeplechase. Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 3200m. Ranks #16 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 1600m.
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High School Personal Bests: 23-02.00 Long Jump, 6.39 55m, 11.02 100m, 22.25 200m
Title Count: 3 County (Independent Schools)
Notes: Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the long jump. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m.
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 Rohann Asfaw, Richard Montgomery 2017
High School Personal Bests: 1:58.56 800m, 4:18.89 1600m, 8:25.29 3000m, 9:07.89 3200m
Title Count: 4 State, 8 Region, 4 County
Notes: Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 3000m and 3200m. Ranks #11 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 1600m.
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High School Personal Bests: 1:56.10 800m, 4:07.38c 1600m, 8:24.43 3000m, 9:18.53c 3200m
Title Count: 6 State, 5 Region, 5 County
Notes: All-American in the indoor mile and outdoor two mile. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 1600m/mile. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 3000m. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 3200m. Ranks #12 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 800m.
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High School Personal Bests: 6.56 55m, 10.82 100m, 21.19 200m, 33.89 300m, 47.96 400m
Notes: All-American in the 200m. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 400m. Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 200m.
Photo by Craig Amoss
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High School Personal Bests: 7.27 55m Hurdles, 13.92 110m Hurdles, 37.28 300m Hurdles, 6.54 55m, 35.58 300m, 6-02.00 High Jump, 22-06.00 Long Jump, 45-03.25 Triple Jump
Title Count: 4 State, 6 Region, 5 County
Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m hurdles. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m hurdles. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 110m hurdles. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 400m hurdles. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the long jump. Ranks #10 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the triple jump.
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High School Personal Bests: 1:07.01 500m, 1:53.94 800m, 4:27.26 Mile
Title Count: 1 State, 1 Region, 3 County
Notes: Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 800m. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 500m.
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Half-Decade Team Relays
 A team of Bryce Watson, Eric Allen, Olandis Gary, Austin Allen set the all-time Montgomery County record of 41.46 at the 2016 Penn Relay. The team placed fourth in the Penn Relays small schools championship race.
Photo by Clarence Franklin |
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 Austin Allen, Andre Turay, Ryan Willie, and Ashton Allen set the all-time Montgomery County 4x200 record in placing second at New Balance Outdoor Nationals in 1:25.03. A similar team with Jay Pendarvis Jr. clocked 1:25.60 at the Virginia Showcase to set Montgomery County's all-time indoor record.
Photo by Clarence Franklin |
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 Austin Allen, Andre Turay, Ryan Willie, and Ashton Allen won the New Balance Outdoor Nationals title in the 4x400 with an all-time Montgomery County record of 3:09.86. A similar team with Jay Pendarvis Jr. won the 4x4 at the Virginia Showcase in 3:12.53 to set the all-time U.S. indoor high school 4x4 record.
Photo by Clarence Franklin |
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 Alexander Moore, Daniel Rogers, Nahom Ftwi, and Chase Osborne clocked 7:52.75 at the 2018 state championship meet.
Photo by Craig Amoss |
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4x1600 - Northwood 2019 - 17:45.18c (17:51.39 4xMile)  Mulisa Reggasa, Eldad Mulugeta, Obsaa Feda, and Baraka Sila clocked 17:51.39 in the 4xMile at New Balance Indoor Nationals to set the all-time Montgomery County record (indoors or outdoors) in the event. |
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 Joshua Okonofua, Joseph Okonofua, Chukwumdi Osuji, and Justin Page clocked 3:31.30 to win the sprint medley relay at the 2019 Woodward Relays. The same team clocked 3:33.81 indoors to set the all-time indoor MCPS record. |
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 Northwood placed seventh in the DMR at New Balance Indoor Nationals and New Balance Indoor Nationals. Indoors it was Eldad Mulugeta, Yasin Abdur-Rahim, Lamine Fofana, and Obsaa Feda with a time of 10:14.45 which was an all-time indoor Montgomery County record. |
Half-Decade Team Honorable Mention
Amadou Silimana, Watkins Mill 2019
Andrew Birgin, Walter Johnson 2018
Andrew Daniels, Northwest 2016
Anthony Duruji, St. Andrews Episcopal 2017
Chase Osborne, Northwest 2018
Chris Spiess, Clarksburg 2016
Chukwumdi Osuji, Paint Branch 2020
Donovan Beckett-Simms, Seneca Valley 2016
Dylan Bikim, Quince Orchard 2015
Enoch Owumi, Blair 2017
Evan Woods, Whitman 2015
Garrett Suhr, Richard Montgomery 2020
Ian Davis, Good Counsel 2016 | |
Jabari Butler, Churchill 2015
Jalen Walker, Northwest 2015
Khaloni Mganga, Northwest 2018
Liam Walsh, Quince Orchard 2015
Mayen McClain, Springbrook 2017
Oliver Lloyd, Paint Branch 2015
Raynard Bell, Kennedy 2017
Seydi Sall, Richard Montgomery 2020
Timothy Santosa, Clarksburg 2015
Ty Mason, Blake 2017
Tyrek Goy, Paint Branch 2017
Zachary Jones, Gaithersburg 2020 |
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