June 02, 2002
BOYS PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
Izudin Mehmedovic
Oakland Mills, senior
A river of gold flowed for "Izzy" this spring. He saved his best performance for last, finally achieving his long-sought goal of four outdoor gold medals in the same state meet. The inspirational runner from Bosnia completed his three-year high school career by winning Class 1A state championships in the 3,200 (4:23.22), 1,600 (4:07.11) and 800 meters (1:57.15), and by running a 1-minute, 53.6-second anchor leg of the first-place 3,200 relay. Also the Indoor Track Performer of the Year and a state champion in cross country, Mehmedovic has won almost every distance-running accolade possible, accepting them with humility and grace. He always placed team above all else, and that may be why Oakland Mills won its third straight state title. At regionals, he won the 800 and 1,600 and was second in the 3,200. At the county meet, he won the 800 and finished second in the 1,600. "He was probably the best all-time distance runner at Oakland Mills," said coach Sam Singleton. Mehmedovic will attend UMBC on a full athletic scholarship.
Shane Stroup
River Hill, senior
Rarely can a high school athlete create the kind of excitement that flowed from Stroup's remarkable performance in the 1,600 meters at the state championships at UMBC. For four laps around the track, Stroup delivered an astonishing effort by maintaining a breakneck pace that culminated in the smashing of a 28-year-old state record before a cheering crowd. His 4-minute, 7.11-second effort, bettering the mark of 4:08.6 set by Wheaton's Jim Peterson in 1974, may well stand for another 28 years. It's the fastest time in the country this year. The senior, who will attend the University of Florida on a track scholarship, focused on this event all season, training for speed and attempting to peak at the state meet. He proved to himself that he could break the state record by finishing second in the full mile at the Adidas Outdoor Championships last June in 4:10.6; he also placed second at the Penn Relays mile this spring in 4:11.3. Stroup won regional gold medals in the 800, 1,600 and 1,600 relay, and county golds in the 1,600 and 1,600 relay.
BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR
Sam Singleton
Oakland Mills
Because he'll be moving to the new Reservoir High as football and track coach this fall, Singleton's coaching reign at Oakland Mills officially came to an end with the Scorpions' third straight state title. Since becoming coach in 1993, his Scorpions have won eight state outdoor titles to go with five indoor state titles. Singleton is affable and well-liked by his team, and winning this state title for him was important to the athletes. Many of the athletes competed despite injuries all season. "All that matters is that we won this for Coach," said hurdler J.D. Fennell. Singleton said: "It's been a great run. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'll miss the team."
BOYS TEAM
Chris Barksdale
Oakland Mills, senior
The sprinter won the 200 meters (21.82 seconds) and was second in the 100 (11.25) at the Class 1A state meet. He also ran on the first-place 800 relay and the second-place 400 relay for the state champion Scorpions. At regionals, he won four gold medals for the 100 and 200, and the 400 and 800 relays. He finished second in the county 100 and 200, and won gold medals in the 400 and 800 relays.
Anthony Cole
Oakland Mills, sophomore
Running with a cast on his right wrist from a May 14 surgery, Cole proved he has a bright future by winning the state title in the 100 meters (11.23 seconds) and finishing third in the 200 (22.28). He also ran in the first-place 800 relay and the second-place 400 relay. At regionals, he was third in the 100 and second in the 200. At the county meet, he was third in the 100 and 200 and won golds as part of the 400 and 800 relay teams.
Phil DeRosier
Long Reach, senior
A long jump of 22 feet, 10 1/2 inches earned him his first state gold medal. He added another by running the fastest 100 meters (11.02 seconds) of any class at the state meet, and he also finished second in the state 200 (22.42) in his first season of competition. At regionals, he won the long jump and 100, and finished second in the 200. At the county meet, he won the 100 (10.6), 200 (21.7) and long jump (21-0). His 100 time broke a 15-year-old meet record.
Damon Gasque
Mount Hebron, sophomore
His 6-foot high jump at the county championships won him a gold medal. He came back to finish third at the regional meet.
Andrew Heath
Wilde Lake, senior
A late-season injury during pole-vault practice prevented him from achieving what he hoped for in the hurdles and high jump at the county meet, but he did salvage the county pole-vault title (12-0) and went on to win a regional title. He finished third in the Class 3A state meet (12-0).
Ben Hutcherson
Long Reach, senior
He won the county 110-meter hurdles (14.9 seconds) and the county 300 hurdles (39.7) and went on to finish second in both events at regionals.
Jason Moore
Wilde Lake, senior
