Average temperature ................ 33

SYTIEIA BROWN WINS STATE CHAMPION IN SHOT PUT EVENT

By Amanda Callaghan

On Wednesday, February 16th, Elkton, Rising Sun, and North East’s qualifying athletes arrived at the Fifth Regiment Baltimore Armory, prepared for the adrenaline-fueled, nerve-wracking MPSSAA 2A State Indoor Championship. The Armory, built in 1901, loomed over the incoming buses with its fortress-type build. The 23 Cecil athletes prepared for their upcoming events, surrounded by just as skilled athletes from across the state. They were all determined to make the 2021-22 indoor season end with a bang. Inside the Armory was a unique track. Painted on the surface of a gym floor, the track filled the area, having field events take place on the inside of the track. Unfortunately, the fact of the track being on a gym floor lead to less traction, adding additional complexity to the events. Large, square windows let natural light into the armory, giving the track a majestic shine.

On that track, Cecil atheletes performed terrifically. In individual events, Katelyn Lacey of Rising Sun earned 9th in the 500 meter dash (1:28.48). Amanda Callaghan of Rising Sun earned fifth in the 800m setting an indoor personal record of 2:33.48. In the 1600, Savannah Lacey of Rising Sun won eleventh with a personal record of 5:54.38, followed closely behind by North East’s Leanna Rogers, earning twelfth with another personal record of 6:00.37. Ella Cost of Rising Sun won twelfth in the 55m hurdles (10.81).

In relays, Elkton’s boys 4x200 relay won eighth, running a 1:45.29 (Douglas McGonigle, Langston Belser, Brandon Turner, Allan Tate). Elkton’s boys 4x400 won 6th, running a 3:55.95 (Douglas McGonigle, Langston Belser, Tyson Caprinolo, Brandon Turner). In girls’ relays, Rising Sun’s 4x200 relay finished tenth with a 2:02.30 (Kaitlyn Martin, Lexi Haywood, Carly McCardell, Caroline Mercer). Their 4x400 finished eleventh, running a 4:48.89 (Georgia Mercer, Anna Callaghan, Amanda Callaghan, Katelyn Lacey). Finally, Sun’s 4x800 of Amanda Callaghan, Eve Poteet, Katelynn Callaghan, and Katelyn Lacey won fourth (10:56.57). In field events, Elkton’s sophomore Sytieia Brown won the State Title in the 4kg shotput! Brown threw 38 feet and 4.5 inches, beating the second place finisher by three and a half feet. This is Brown’s second consecutive title in the shotput after winning the 2021 outdoor State Title in both shotput (37’ 3.5) and discus (119’ 10) as a freshman. She currently holds Elkton’s school record for the outdoor shotput, outdoor discus, and after this indoor season, the indoor shotput. Great job Sytieia! In girl’s high jump, Brin Khanjar of North East won second place at the State Championship! She cleared 5’ 2, setting a personal record, and beating her personal record from the 2021 outdoor season (5’ 0). She now holds North East’s indoor high jump record. Congratulations Brin! Amanda Callaghan of Rising Sun followed in the girl’s high jump, finishing fourth (4’ 6). In the boy’s high jump, Rising Sun’s David Greenplate and Brigdon Bishop tied for 9th, both clearing 5’ 2. In pole vault, Rising Sun’s Dylan Zhan and Carly McCardell both came in 12th. Congratulations to all of the Cecil County athletes!