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

Athlete of the Half-Decade Masai Russell, Bullis 2018 High School Personal Bests: 7.82c 55m hurdles (8.40 60m hurdles), 13.80 100m hurdles, 40.16 300m hurdles, 58.49 400m hurdles, 7.18 55m, 24.41 200m, 38.74 300m, 55.57 400m, 1:13.72 500m Title Count: 6 ISL Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, and 500m. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m and 100m hurdles. Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 400m. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m and 200m.

Abigail Green, Walter Johnson 2018 High School Personal Bests: 2:12.64 800m, 4:51.43 1600m, 9:35.83 3000m, 10:17.85c 3200m Title Count: 7 State, 13 Region, 10 State Notes: All-American in the two-mile. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 800m. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 1600m and mile. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 3000m and 3200m.

Alexus Pyles, Clarksburg 2016 High School Personal Bests: 8.02 55m Hurdles, 14.07 100m Hurdles, 44.12 300m Hurdles, 7.35 55m, 3619 Pentathlon, 4680 Heptathlon, 5-06.00 High Jump, 17-10.25 Long Jump, 34-08.25 Shot Put, 39-06.25 Triple Jump Title Count: 6 State, 13 Regional, 15 County Notes: All-American in the indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon. Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the high jump. Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the triple jump. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m hurdles. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m hurdles. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m hurdles.

Aniella Delafosse, Bullis 2019 High School Personal Bests: 19-10.00 Long Jump, 37-02.00 Triple Jump, 12.37 100m, 25.43 200m Notes: Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the long jump. Ranks #16 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the triple jump. Ranks #18 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m.

Ashley Seymour, Bullis 2018 High School Personal Bests: 7.00 55m, 11.48 100m, 24.36 200m, 40.00 300m Title Count: 3 ISL Notes: All-American in the 100m. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m dash. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m dash. Ranks #8 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m dash. Photo by Craig Amoss

Ashley Wallace, Bullis 2020 High School Personal Bests: 7.95 55m hurdles, 14.01 100m hurdles, 45.49 300m hurdles, 25.41 200m, 42.30 300m, 5-00 High Jump, 17-11.00 Long Jump, 37-08.25 Triple Jump Title Count: 3 ISL, 1 County (Independent School) Notes: Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m hurdles. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m hurdles. Ranks #10 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the triple jump.

Bethlehem Taye, Paint Branch 2016 High School Personal Bests: 5:02.94 1600m, 10:31.36c 3200m Title Count: 2 State, 6 Region, 4 County Notes: Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 3200m. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 1600m.

Cierra Pyles, Bullis 2018 High School Personal Bests: 19-03.00 Long Jump, 40-05.50 Triple Jump, 5-00.00 High Jump, 7.97c 55m hurdles (8.57 60m hurdles), 13.97 100m Hurdles Title Count: 2 ISL, 1 County (Independent Schools) Notes: Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the triple jump. 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 hurdles. Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m hurdles. Photo by Craig Amoss

Clare Severe, Whitman 2015 High School Personal Bests: 2:14.35 800m, 4:57.23 1600m Title Count: 7 State, 9 Region, 4 County Notes: Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 1600m. Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 800m.

Eddita Pessima, Northwest 2018 High School Personal Bests: 8.09 55m Hurdles, 14.17 100m Hurdles, 43.52 300m Hurdles, 5-04.00 High Jump Title Count: 8 State, 6 Region, 7 County Notes: Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m hurdles. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the high jump. Ranks #7 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m hurdles. Ranks #9 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m hurdles.

Janise Bestman, Paint Branch 2019 High School Personal Bests: 115-05 Discus, 39-02.00 Shot Put, 37-00.00 Triple Jump Title Count: 2 State, 8 Region, 3 County Notes: Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the shot put. Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the discus.

Justina Ababio, Clarksburg 2016 High School Personal Bests: 39-06.50 Shot Put, 112-06 Discus Title Count: 1 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.

Kaya Rae Dunbar, Paint Branch 2020 High School Personal Bests: 8.09 55m Hurdles, 14.21 100m Hurdles, 45.30 300m Hurdles, 5-02.00 High Jump, 16-07.00 Long Jump Title Count: 2 State, 7 Region, 3 County Notes: Ranks #8 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m hurdles. Ranks #9 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m hurdles. Ranks #11 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m hurdles. Ranks #11 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the high jump.

Lauryn Harris, Bullis 2019 High School Personal Bests: 19-11.00 Long Jump, 7.97 55m hurdles, 13.89 100m Hurdles, 7.29 55m, 12.07 100m, 24.53 200m, 39.61 300m, 55.79 400m Title Count: 2 ISL Notes: All-American in the 100m hurdles. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the long jump. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m hurdles. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m hurdles. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m dash. Ranks #8 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 200m dash. Ranks #9 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m dash and 400m dash.

Leah Phillips, Bullis 2020 High School Personal Bests: 7.86c 55m Hurdles (8.45 60m Hurdles), 13.56 100m Hurdles, 40.82 300m Hurdles, 59.05 400m Hurdles, 7.03 55m, 24.11 200m, 38.6 300m, 55.54 400m, 1:17.48 500m Title Count: 1 ISL Notes: All-American in the 400-meter hurdles. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m hurdles and open 300m. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m hurdles, 200m dash, 300m hurdles, and 400m hurdles. Ranks #3 in Montgomery County in the 55m dash. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 400m dash. Photo by Craig Amoss

Leondra Correia, Northwest 2016 High School Personal Bests: 5-02.00 High Jump, 18-11.00 Long Jump, 8.28 55m Hurdles, 14.66 100m Hurdles, 44.99 300m Hurdles, Title Count: 2 Region, 4 County Notes: Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the long jump. Ranks #9 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m hurdles. Ranks #10 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m hurdles. Ranks #11 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the high jump. Ranks #12 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m hurdles.

Martha Sam, Blake 2015 High School Personal Bests: 7.18 55m, 11.79 100m, 24.35 200m, 39.28 300m, 54.14 400m, 1:15.89 500m Title Count: 4 State, 11 Region, 5 County Notes: All-American in indoor 400m. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 400m. Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m. Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 200m. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m. Ranks #7 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 500m. Ranks #12 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m.

Morgan Casey, Blair 2018 High School Personal Bests: 1:21.12 500m, 2:16.22, 800m, 5:13.99 1600m Title Count: 1 State, 3 Region, 2 County Notes: Ranks #7 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 800m. Ranks #22 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 1600m.

Noelani Phillips, Blake 2019 High School Personal Bests: 12.46 100m, 24.42 200m, 40.04 300m, 54.89 400m, 1:16.00 500m Title Count: 1 State, 2 Region, 1 County Notes: Ranks #3 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 400m. Ranks #7 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 200m. Ranks #9 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m. Ranks #9 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 500m.

Rachel Pocratsky, Good Counsel 2015 High School Personal Bests: 58.0 400m, 1:15.93 500m, 2:13.42 800m, 2:58.35 1000m, 5:17.94 1600m Title Count: 3 WCAC Notes: Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 1000m. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 800m. Ranks #8 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 500m.

Sarah Moore, Blake 2015 High School Personal Bests: 12.54 100m, 25.63 200m, 40.59 300m, 55.70 400m, 1:17.16 500m, 46.23 300m Hurdles Title Count: 1 State, 1 County Notes: Ranks #7 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 400m. Ranks #11 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 500m.

Shaniya Hall, Bullis 2020 High School Personal Bests: 6.98 55m, 12.01 100m, 24.22 200m, 38.95 300m, 54.33 400m, 1:15.46 500m, 17-09.00 Long Jump Title Count: 1 ISL Notes: Won New Balance Nationals outdoor title in Freshman 400m. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m and 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 500m. Ranks #8 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m dash.

Sierra Leonard, Bullis 2019 High School Personal Bests: 7.33 55m, 11.98 100m, 24.51 200m, 39.76 300m, 55.60 400m, 1:15.71 500m, 19-01.00 Long Jump Title Count: 1 ISL Notes: Won New Balance National title in Freshman Long Jump. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the long jump. Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 500m. Ranks #6 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m and 400m.

Stephanie Davis, Magruder 2017 High School Personal Bests (at Magruder HS): 7.20 55m, 11.87 100m, 24.36 200m, 40.16 300m, Title Count (at Magruder HS): 3 State, 4 Region, 4 County Notes: Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 200m. Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m. Ranks #9 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m. Ranks #10 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m.

Taylor Wright, Northwest 2019 High School Personal Bests: 6-00.00 High Jump, 42-02.75 Triple Jump, 7.13 55m, 11.75 100m, 24.40 200m, 40.71 300m, Title Count: 14 State, 21 Region, 22 County Notes: All-American in the high jump. Twice All-American in the triple jump. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the high jump. Ranks #1 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the triple jump. Ranks #2 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 100m. Ranks #4 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 55m. Ranks #5 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 200m. Ranks #15 in Montgomery County from 2015 to 2019 in the 300m.

Half-Decade Team Relays

4x100 - Bullis 2017 - 44.88 A team of Masai Russell, Ashley Seymour, Shaniya Hall, and Leah Phillips won the New Balance Outdoor National title and set the all-time Montgomery County record of 44.88. Photo by Craig Amoss

4x200 - Bullis 2018 - 1:34.75 Shaniya Hall, Leah Phillips, Ashley Seymour and Masai Russell won the New Balance Indoor National title in the 4x200 and set the all-time Montgomery County record (indoors or outdoors) of 1:34.75. Bullis's 4x2 also won at the Millrose Games, Virginia Showcase, and Arcadia Invitational that year.

4x400 - Bullis 2017 - 3:39.30 A team of Masai Russell, Lauryn Harris, Shaniya Hall, and Leah Phillips won the New Balance Outdoor National title and set the all-time Montgomery County record of 3:39.30. The same team won the New Balance Indoor National title in 3:39.70.

4x800 - Damascus 2017 - 9:19.91 Samantha Kameka, Juliana Ancalmo, Alexis Whitehorn-Coriz, and Heather Delaplaine won the 4x8 state title and traveled to New Balance Outdoor Nationals where they clocked 9:19.91 in the 4x800 relay.

4x1600 - B-CC 2015 - 21:48.73c (21:56.36 4xMile) Caroline Beakes, Kat McNeill, Nora McUmber, and Zoe Nuechterlein clocked 21:56.36 in the 4x1 mile at New Balance Outdoor Nationals which is the fourth fastest time in Montgomery County history.

1600m SMR - Bullis 2018 - 4:04.37 Taylor Johnson, Ayanna Johnson, Ashley Wallace, and Nia Frederick finished third at New Balance Indoor Nationals with a sprint medley relay time of 4:04.37, an all-time Montgomery County record (indoors or outdoors).

4000m DMR - Paint Branch 2016 - 12:01.32 Paint Branch won the emergine elite section of the distance medley relay at New Balance Outdoor Nationals in an all-time Montgomery County record time of 12:01.32. Before that, Yasmine Kass, Precious Igwebuike, Kyra Badrian, and Bethlehem Taye finished 13th in the DMR at the Penn Relays in 12:18.37

Half-Decade Team Honorable Mention