LANDOVER — Hereford girls track and field once held such a firm grip on the state championship trophy, it was nearly impossible to rip it away. But it’s been two years since the Bulls last claimed a state title — a relatively short time for most programs but an eternity for one with such a proud legacy.
This year’s Hereford girls team set out on a mission to bring the Class 2A trophy back home. And not only did the Bulls succeed Wednesday during the second day of the state indoor track and field championships, but their trophy isn’t coming back alone.
For the first time since 1980, the Hereford boys also became state champions, marking the first time the school has swept both titles.
“I think this is really cool,” Hereford sophomore Ben Wheeler said. “This is the first time that’s ever been done at Hereford. We made history.”
Hereford’s boys totaled 53.5 points, distancing themselves from La Plata (46) and Westlake (43).
“We came into this as favorites,” Wheeler said. “We have a really strong team and got a really strong team effort. We put the pieces together and we executed.”
Hereford’s girls finished with 61.5 points, beating Southern-AA (46), Century (40.5) and New Town (35).
“We all had to come and perform,” said Scarlett Seitz, a senior who finished fifth in the 500-meter run and sixth in the high jump. “Compared to previous years we had a much smaller team, but it was more quality. We each knew coming in where we could get points and we lived up to those expectations really well.”
Hereford’s girls won five indoor titles in six seasons from 2016 to 2022 and two straight outdoor titles in 2019 and 2021, with the pandemic canceling one season during each run.
“As a senior, this feels really good, being the last time,” Seitz said. “Every practice and every meet, our teamwork and enthusiasm and our drive to be great really pushed us.”
Rebekka Hillier was the catalyst for the girls. She won the 1,600 in 5 minutes, 13.58 seconds and the 3,200 in 11:38.7.
“Ecstatic for the most part,” Hillier said of her emotions after her first state title. “It feels really nice to see all your work pay off in the end.”
The final lap of the 1,600 had three different leaders at one point, with Hillier being the final one to take over.
“I wanted to help us as a team win,” she said. “I had a little bit of energy left in me so I thought, why not kick it.”
She still had enough left to come back and lead a one-two finish with teammate Sylvia Snider in the 3,200.
“I think we’re both very confident in our abilities and we use each other a lot to pace off each other and to help each other get there,” Hillier said. “There’s a lot of teamwork in there.”
“It’s so fun to run with Rebekka and it’s just having such a great team makes it all the better,” said Snider, who also finished third in the 1,600.
Meanwhile, Wheeler paced the Hereford boys, winning the 500 (1:06.08) and finishing second in the 300. The Bulls also got a big day from high jump state champion Jadon Gaines, who, well before it was a certainty, said the team hardware carried more weight.
“That is more exciting to me than a state championship,” he said of the possibility of a team title. “We were doing the breakdowns with our coaches and we were looking at the points. If we had a really good day, we could win. And that was the most exciting thing because the boys hadn’t won a championship since 1980. It’s been forever and I feel that it’s time that Hereford gets its state championship.
“It feels amazing to be able to walk away and say, not only I won, but as a team, we were the best out of 2A.”
Gaines and Wheeler were backed by, among others: Logan Crowe, who took second in the pole vault; and Jake Weakland, who was third in the 800.
Digital Harbor’s LaMont Johnson wins the 300-meter race in Class 3A. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Digital Harbor runs away with 3A title
The Digital Harbor boys didn’t need to win their final race of the day, the 4×400 relay. The Rams had the 3A team championship sewn up.
But that final race just played into the theme of the day: Nobody could catch the Rams.
LaMont Johnson, Jevonte Williams and Jawon Blue got it started and anchor DeAndre Thomas closed it out — a four-second win that was the Rams’ fourth state championship of the day and the exclamation point on the team victory.
“We push each other to be better because we don’t hold our tongue with each other,” Johnson said. “When someone’s falling off, we’ll tell them they’re falling off. We’re all hungry for speed, hungry to be No. 1. We all have our goals … We all want to be fast together, we don’t want to be fast by ourselves. That’s what a team is about.”
Digital Harbor finished with 67 points, beating Northern-Garrett (42), Towson (40), Oakland Mills (37) and Howard (35).
“Our school also helps build the eighth graders coming into our school,” Williams said. “We build them early and then they really help us as freshmen and then send us off our senior year.”
Johnson won the 300 state title (35.09) and was second in the 500 (1:06.55). He again teamed with Blue, Williams and Thomas to win the 4×200 (1:31.13). Even though he was initially disappointed with some of his times, he said he was “blessed” to have the day he had.
“I talked to some people about how I felt about my races and they told me to be proud,” he said. “A lot of people don’t get this opportunity and I’m extremely blessed. I’m blessed that I got to race such fast people because iron sharpens iron.”
Williams also earned an individual state championship, winning the 55 hurdles (7.51)
“I’m happy, very happy and surprised since this is only my second year running track,” he said. “I’m not the crying type but I’m really happy.”
Southern’s Eric Penkala, left, looks back to check his lead on the competition in the 2A boys 1,600. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Triple crown
While the day had many great performances, no one stood out quite the way Southern’s Eric Penkala did.
Winning one state championship is special; two is amazing; three is rarified air. Penkala took home championships in the 2A 800, the 1,600 and the 3,200.
“I thank my coach for giving me the workouts I needed,” he said. “Gives me my speed, my kick. I run for him.”
Penkala’s first race was the 1,600, which he called “a battle” that he won by two seconds in 4:17.46, a 2A state meet record. He had an easier time in the 3,200, running 9:31.39 and winning by 16 seconds over Winter Mill’s Jackson Steinbrenner.
The comfortable race might have been a blessing, as he needed every ounce of energy he had left to power past Queen Anne’s Ben Marks down the final stretch to win in 1:58.44, a four-tenths of a second win.
“The halfway mark, I noticed he started picking up a little bit and I was just trying to hang on with everything I had,” he said. “That last 100 [meters], I gave it whatever I had left. It was my last race, I gave it all.”
Edgewood’s Brielle Whitworth reacts after winning the 3A girls 1,600 (Brian Krista/Staff)
Other winners
New Town’s Kaylyn Johnson had a strong day, earning a state championship in the 2A 300 (40.57) and finishing second in the 500 to Century’s Cailyn Stine, who won in 1:19.62.
“I really just tried to stay where I was,” Johnson said after her 300 win. “I was seeded first; I expected to come out first. I held on, got out fast and kept my speed up, the last 50 I just went all out.”
“I’m beyond excited about it,” Stine said after her 500 win. “I just knew I had to keep pushing. This is it for the indoor season. I just knew I have a little more to go, I had to push a little more to get to the finish line.”
In 3A, Edgewood’s Brielle Whitworth earned a state title in the 1,600, running 5:03.46. In boys field events, Westminster’s Lukas Michael won the pole vault and Severna Park’s Kian Williams won the high jump.
A couple relays also earned championships. Milford Mill’s team of Damon Ferguson Jr., Seth Minter, Elijah White and Joshua Moore won the 2A 4×400 in 3:28.36. Randallstown’s girls 2A 4×400 team of Makayla Brown, Trinity Jordan, Danielle Perez and Taylor Garrett won in 4:06.29.
Also, Arundel’s team of Noel Evans, Aiyana Gutrick, Ta’Laiya Mellerson and Grace Hickman won the 3A 4×200 in 1:46.1. Southern’s Marley Shaw, Rebecca Burgee, Maggie Schiavone and EmmaKate Derrick won the 2A 4×800 in 9:46.76.
“I tried to get out really fast to create a bigger gap and at the end I was just trying to hold on, I thought the girl was right behind me,” said Derrick, the anchor runner. “So I was just trying to keep going. I was basically scared and running off of fear.”
It turned out that the runner who pushed Derrick from behind was someone she was lapping. The Bulldogs won the race by nine seconds.
Westminster’s Lukas Michael starts an attempt in the 3A boys pole vault event during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
River Hill’s Marella Virmani runs the anchor for her team on the way to winning the 3A girls 4×800 meter relay during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Severna Park’s Natalie Bowman runs the anchor leg, ahead of Bel Air’s Cammille Miller and other runners during the 3A girls 4×800 meter relay during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Edgewood’s Brielle Whitworth reacts to winning the 3A girls 1,600 (Brian Krista/staff )
Westminster’s Lukas Michael clears the bar in the 3A boys pole vault event during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Southern’s Eric Penkala, left, is followed by Century’s Ryan Hartranft and other runners in the 2A boys 1600 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Hereford’s Sylvia Snider, left, and teammate Rebekka Hillier lead the field in the 2A girls 1,600-meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Southern’s EmmaKate Derrick, left, takes the baton from teammate Maggie Schiavone as they compete in the 2A girls 4×800 meter relay during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Howard’s Joseph Ensor leads the field in the 3A boys 1600 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Howard’s Joseph Ensor is followed by Towson’s Evan Cline in the 3A boys 1600 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Southern’s Eric Penkala, left, looks back to check his lead on the competition in the 2A boys 1,600. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Hereford’s Eliza Fox attempts a jump in the 2A girls high jump event during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Hereford’s Logan Crowe clear the bar in the 2A boys pole vault event during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Edgewood’s Brielle Whitworth leads the field on the final lap during the 3A girls 1600 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Atholton’s Delbert Cowesette, left, leads Poly’s Damon Williams and Digital Harbor’s Jawon Blue in the 3A boys 55 meter dash during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
River Hill’s Lauren Virmani leads a group of runners in the 3A girls 1600 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Long Reach’s Kendall Hall competes in the 3A girls 300 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Hereford’s Ben Wheeler crosses the finish to take 2nd place in the 2A boys 300 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
New Town’s Kaylyn Johnson comes to the finish to win the 2A girls 300 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Oakland Mills’ Valerie Ashamu competes in the 3A girls high jump event during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Chesapeake-BC’s Akilah deVries and Southern’s Marley Shaw, race together in the 2A girls 300 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
North Harford’s Anna O’Leary makes a throw in the 2A shot put event during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Glenelg’s Abiola Owens clears a hurdle in the 2A girls 55 meter hurdles race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Howard’s Xavier Gardner, left, and Overlea’s Emmanuel Egbujonuma compete in the 3A boys 55 meter hurdles race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
New Town’s Alyssia Quick clears a hurdle in the 2A girls 55 meter hurdles race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Howard’s Sydney Rhodes, center, leads Marriotts Ridge’s Jaidyn Aug.ine, left, and Long Reach’s Aniyah Toppin in the 3A girls 55 meter dash during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Century’s Emily Mitroka leads a group of runners in the 2A girls 1600 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Digital Harbor’s LaMont Johnson comes to the finishing, beating out the competition in the 3A boys 300(Brian Krista/staff photo)
C. Milton Wright’s Ellie Bassham, right, tries to hold off a charge by Hereford’s Rebekka Hillier in the 2A girls 1600 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Digital Harbor teammates DeAndre Thomas, left, and Jevonte Williams compete in the 3A boys 55 meter hurdles race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Southern’s EmmaKate Derrick runs the anchor for her team on the way to winning the 2A girls 4×800 meter relay during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Winters Mill’s Ava Staley attempts a jump in the 2A girls high jump event during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Hereford’s Logan Crowe attempts a vault in the 2A boys pole vault event during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Howard’s Ava Carr clears a hurdle in the 3A girls 55 meter hurdles race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Glenelg’s Thomas Ferrick crosses the finshline, anchoring his team to victory in the 2A boys 4×800 meter relay during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Catonsville’s Makayla Hunt completes in the 3A girls 300 meter race during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Westminster’s Emma Reaves attempts a throw in the 3A girls shot put event during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Howard’s Ava Carr competes in the 3A girls high jump event during the Indoor Track and Field State Championships at Prince Georges Sports and Learning Complex on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
