Aaron Thompson

Depth, youth and a pair of relay victories in the 200 medley and 400 freestyle boosted C. Milton Wright over John Carroll, 287-249, last night at Magnolia Middle School for its second consecutive Harford County boys championship. The Patriots, who earned the girls' swimming title on Thursday by a margin of 61 points, walked away as the winner of the combined girls' and boys' title for the fourth time. Still, C. Milton Wright's triumph in the boys' competition avenged its only regular-season loss.

COLLEGE PARK -- Divine intervention.That's what Maryland coach Ron Vanderlinden called the heavy thunderstorm that hit here yesterday and wiped out the last half of afternoon practice and halted the growing injury list at six after just three days of two-a-day workouts.Sophomore No. 1 quarterback Randall Jones has a sore arm and will not throw for a third straight day today. Two other injured starters: senior right guard Jamie Wu (three bulging discs in his back) and sophomore cornerback Tony Okanlawon (pulled hamstring)

Coach: Ralph Friedgen (first season) Last year: 5-6, 3-5 Conference: Atlantic Coast Radio: WBAL (1090 AM) Stadium (capacity): Byrd (48,055) Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-4 Top returning players: LB E.J. Henderson, LB Aaron Thompson, LB Mike Whaley, SS Tony Jackson, P Brooks Barnard QB Shaun Hill, WR Guilian Gary, C Melvin Fowler Top newcomers: CB Jamal Chance, DT Randy Starks, RB Jason Crawford Strengths: The defense has dominated the offense throughout...

If there has been one constant about Dunbar this season, it is its inconsistency. Mental lapses. Uninspired play in spots. Breakdowns on offense and defense.Another trait is the Poets' ability to win despite it.The No. 2 Poets (8-1), seeking a second consecutive state championship, maintained their hold on first place in the state 3A East region with a 24-12 victory over Forest Park yesterday.Dunbar can clinch the region title and a home game in the state quarterfinals with a victory at Edmondson Friday.

The South Atlantic Amateur Boxing Federation is sanctioning 15 boutsTuesday night at the National Guard Armory in Annapolis.The bouts, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Annapolis, begin at 7:30 p.m.Among the fighters on the card are Pasadena's Jose Chacon (119 pounds) and Dominick Minguzzi (139), and Millersville heavyweight BrianKimbal.Admission is $10 for everyone 13 and over, and $5 for those 12 and under.Tickets can be obtained at the Annapolis Paint Company, 1605 West St., 263-5072.VAN KIRK AT MICHAEL'SThe next Round One Promotion's boxing card is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14, atMichael's 8th Avenue in Glen Burnie.

Baltimore welterweight Eddie Van Kirk's mauling style was hardly as pretty as his fringed boxing trunks, but it proved effective in dominating Anthony Ross of Alexandria, Va., in the eight-round main event at LaFontaine Bleu in Glen Burnie last night.A crowd of 450 saw Van Kirk (23-7-1) use a swarming attack to repeatedly pin Ross against the ropes and pelt his body with short, chopping blows.Every round was much the same the same, with Ross serving alittle more than a punching bag.Fighting for the first time since he lost to Vincent Pettway last March, Van Kirk, 27, had Ross (6-9)

COLLEGE PARK - With one practice and a public scrimmage remaining in his team's spring preparation for the 2001 season, Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen said he was pleased with how well his team has been able to adjust to his staff and its style of instruction. "From an organizational standpoint, we've been able to get a lot done," said Friedgen, who conducts the spring game Saturday at 4 p.m., and is visiting fraternity houses on campus to drum up interest. "You hardly hear me yelling at all anymore."

School. Track. Junior Days. Spring games. SATs. Official visits. Summer workouts. The start of the 2008 football season. Narrowing the list of colleges to five. Going for another state football championship. Making a college choice. Over the next 10 months, that's my schedule. Go to school and track practice five days a week. I've been visiting some schools for their Junior Days - which is when colleges invite some of the top junior football players in the country. I try to ask them as many questions about their school as possible.

With the high school football season over, there's just one more thing many of the Baltimore area's top players want for the holidays: another measure of respect.And that's what will be on the line tomorrow in the inaugural Baltimore-Metro All-Star football game at Johns Hopkins -- a matchup that despite it's "metro" label lacks players from public schools in Baltimore, Carroll and Harford counties.Nevertheless, the game will pit a squad comprised of players from the private and parochial schools that comprise the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association and Baltimore public high schools against the best from schools in Anne Arundel and Howard counties.

Offense Player of the YearAaron Thompson, Mount St. Joseph, senior (6-1, 200): The transfer from Forest Park runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. With 314 carries, 2,325 yards and 37 touchdowns over 10 games (average of 31.4 carries, 233 yards, 3.7 touchdowns), he was tops among all area running backs. His single-season yardage has him third in the state all-time (behind McDonough's Sherron Gudger, 2,741, 1991, and Kent's Bruce Green, 2,388, presently), and his single-season touchdowns tie him for the area lead with Randallstown's Larry Washington (1990)