June 01, 1997|By Steven Kivinski
Boys Performer of the Year
Josh Rollins, Arundel, senior: For someone who just joined the track and field team last year, Rollins sure showed the poise of a seasoned veteran this spring. Rollins, who is going to Georgetown on an academic scholarship, emerged as the only boys triple gold medalist at the Anne Arundel County Championships after winning the high jump, triple jump and 110 high hurdles. At Class 4A East regionals, Rollins was first in the high and triple jumps and second in the 110 hurdles. He closed out his senior campaign by winning state title in the triple jump with a leap of 47-2 3/4 and earned a silver medal for his second-place finish in the high jump. "He will high jump over 7 feet within the next year and a half," predicted Wildcats coach Ralph Luce, who saw Rollins clear a personal best 6-6 this spring. "He's is so competitive and such a good athlete that I just know that he will if he stays with it."
Coach of the Year
Aaron Walker, Glen Burnie: Glen Burnie High School hasn't exactly been synonymous with successful track programs, but Walker is out to change that. And he's off to a good start. This spring, he led Glen Burnie's girls team to a runner-up finish at the county meet, a feat that seemed unfathomable when he joined the program as an assistant coach in 1988. "When I first arrived, the boys team was stronger than the girls', but the girls team has come on strong, and the boys team has suffered some. But I hope to rejuvenate that program," said Walker, an art teacher at the school. "I try to instill good sportsmanship, discipline and goal-setting, basically in that order. I want them to be polite young men and women, first, have the discipline to maintain those values and then set some goals for achievement." Walker shares the honor with his assistant Kenny Long, a 1989 Glen Burnie graduate and one of Walker's former athletes.
The boys team
Chris Maynard, Severna Park, senior: At the Class 4A East regional meet, Maynard took first in the 300 intermediate hurdles, finishing ahead of Josh Rollins, the county's Performer of the Year. At counties, he won the intermediate hurdles and was second in the discus with a throw of 144 feet, 5 inches.
Sharif Holder, Chesapeake, junior: Holder, a key member of the Cougars' basketball team, showed he has more than just a vertical leap as he won the county long jump title by clearing 21-5. His 10 points were all Chesapeake would earn that day at Annapolis High. At regions, Holder jumped 20-8 3/4 , which earned him a third-place finish and a trip to states.
John Thomas, Meade, junior: Thomas, an All-Metro harrier and the county's cross country Runner of the Year last fall, emerged as county champ in the 3,200 meters. At regions, he was `D runner-up in the 3,200. Before that, he took first in the two-mile at the Mount St. Joseph, Magruder and Knights' invitationals. "John has great endurance," said Coach Hayes Henderson. "He can keep a steady pace forever."
John Williams, Broadneck, senior: Williams, who is taking his basketball talents to the Naval Academy next fall, was county champ in the 800 and ran the anchor leg of the Bruins' county and region champion 3,200 relay. He was sixth in the state in 800 and was part of three new school records this season, including the 800 (1 minute, 58.5 seconds), 3,200 relay (2: 06.4) and the 1,600 relay (3: 34.6). "He brought everyone on the team up to another level," said Coach Jerry Kiple.
Kiki Ellis, North County, senior: Ellis won the 100 and 200 at the county and region meets. At the state meet, he was second to High Point star Ato Modibo in the 100 and finished fourth in the 200. "He was our team leader," said North County coach Ed Harte. "He was Mr. Everything for us."
Tyrone Powers, North County, junior: At the county championships, Powers was asked to run the 400 for only the second time all year, and he won in 50.4. The same day, he took second in both the 100 (10.6) and 200 (22.3) dashes. "He was the key to why we won the county boys title," said Coach Harte, who saw Powers finish second in all three events at regions. "He has been in [Kiki] Ellis' shadow all season, but next year will be his shining moment."
Jon Mikeska, Old Mill, senior: Mikeska, who is headed for UMBC in the fall, peaked at the county meet, winning the 1,600 and posting the second fastest county time in 800 (2: 00.9) after Broadneck's John Williams. "He's got great work ethic," said Old Mill coach Leon Walter.
Rico Walker, Meade, senior: Walker, who is going to Howard University on a football scholarship, won the county and region titles in the shot put and won the discus at the regional meet. He was second in the shot put at states and claimed third in the discus, despite leaving after the preliminary rounds in an unsuccessful attempt to make it to his school's graduation ceremony. "Rico really exploded this year," said Coach Henderson. "Each time he threw the shot he threw it farther."
