|
Republished with permission granted by The Washington Newspaper Publishing Co. LLC d/b/a MediaDC. Back to Montgomery Journal articles
Whitman has a great day at the races
By MICHAEL FARINE
Special to The Journal
Photo caption: Kennedy's Kim Many set a course record to win state title.
PARKTON
Montgomery County cross country isn't exactly a symbol of strength.
So when the Whitman High team left the state meet at Hereford Saturday with a boys team title, a second-place finish for Tom Eagleson and a second-place finish for the girls team, the explanation became a sought-after comodity.
As if Whitman's showing wasn't enough for the county to make its mark, Kennedy senior Kim Many won the girls individual title in a course-record time of 18:25.
For Whitman's part, first-year Coach Kerry Ward, who led B-CC to three boys and girls state titles before changing schools, said scheduling tough regular-season competition helped prepare Whitman for the big meets at the end of the season.
"While other teams were scheduling much softer out-of-county teams, we ran against teams in Virginia like Lake Braddock, Woodbridge and Chantilly. We also ran in the New York Invitational," Ward said. "Looking back, I think that tough competition really paid off for us here in the state meet."
First, it paid off when Whitman's boys and girls won the county championship. Then it paid off when the boys and girls won the regional championship.
So Whitman wasn't the least bit fazed during Saturday's state meet.
Whitman's boys, with 94 points, easily defeated second place Westminster, 113 points. On the girls side, the Vikings finished second, 20 points behind champion Eleanor Roosevelt. North Carroll breezed to the 3A boys championship, while C. Milton Wright took home the 3A girls title.
Magruder's Jenny Pawlak placed fourth in the 3A girls with a time of 20:29.
"I'm very happy that our boys could give me a state title in my first year," said Ward. "As for our girls, I'm every bit as proud of them. To finish second in the state meet is certainly nothing to be ashamed of."
Eagleson, a senior, rebounded from last year's disappointing 69th place finish to take second in 15:41, behind Randallstown's Jeff Campbell (15:17), who won his third consecutive state crown. Viking senior Mike Collyer finished third in 15:54.
"Last year, I was concerned with everyone else's race," said Eagleson. "But this year, I kept my chin loose, my body relaxed, and I felt a lot stronger. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't beat Campbell, but I'm very happy that we, as a team, won states. That's what it's all about."
For Whitman's girls, Missy Antman and Craig Lake tied for 13th place at 20:42. Sophomore Ruth Kelty was right behind with a time of 20:43.
"We don't have a star on our team," said Antman. "But we know how to work well as a team and in the end, that was our biggest strength."
Many, a senior, was one of the favorites to win the girls 4A title. Teammate Elaine Chang was fourth at 19:20. The Cavaliers finished fourth with 131 points.
"My main goal was to win the race," said Many, also the county and regional champioin. "After being disappointed the past two years, this really felt good for me."
As a sophomore, Many slipped in a mud puddle and finished third. Last season, she began the state race too quickly and finished sixth. Saturday, Many again broke out of the gate early.
"I felt confident enough to start fast again this year," said Many. "I lifted weights all summer, and I'm in the best shape of my life. I was mentally prepared, and now I'm very satisfied. Preparing for the competition pays off."
Whether it be by lifting weights or scheduling tough opponents, both Kennedy's Kim Many and the entire Whitman team came prepared. And they both came home winners.
|
