The 2007 MIAA outdoor season will be tough to top. There were countless close competitive dual meets that often went down to the 4x400. Gilman managed to navigate their way through the season undefeated and won the dual meet title for the second consecutive year. At the championship meet, however, Archbishop Curley repeated as championship meet winners, withstanding a strong challenge from Loyola, whose second place finish was the best in school history.

This season promises to be just as good.

Mount St. Joseph enters as favorites. They are coming off of a very strong indoor season and are led by a formidable jump and hurdle crew. They will be challenged by Gilman, Calvert Hall, Curley and Loyola. The overall talent level in the MIAA has been amazing in recent years. Look for MIAA teams to do very well from top to bottom in weekend invitationals throughout the area.

Based on indoor track and last year’s outdoor track, here is a season outlook by events.

100/200:
The favorite in the short sprints is Terrence Major of Cardinal Gibbons, who is the returning champion in the 200 and runner-up in the 100. J.P. Grant of McDonogh won the indoor 55 and will be a top contender. Curley's George Chambers was the indoor 300 champion and will be tough in the 200. Loyola’s Leon Kinnard was hurt in indoor but was a finalist last year in the 100. Loyola’s John Davenport could also challenge in the 200.

400/800:
These events have become very strong in recent years as more quarter milers move up to the 800, making it more of a speed event. The big three who do both events here are Jabulani Blyden and Evan Bryant of Gilman and Joe Orsulak of Loyola. All three are capable of going under 50 in the quarter and well under two minutes in the half. Other top 400 meter runners are Chambers and Davenport. Duane Parker and Paul Moore from St. Joe will be contend if they heal from winter injuries. Other top 800 meter runners are Ryan Holleran from Calvert Hall, Brett Flurry from Loyola, Chris Sheridan from Gilman and Pat Hairfield from Curley.

1600/3200:
Calvert Hall has continued its cross country dominance by overwhelming opponents in these two events. Anthony Rowe won the indoor 1600 and missed the 3200 by a lean. Teammate Chris Swisko was second in the 1600 and seems to be blossoming as a junior. Spalding’s Zack Sullivan won the 3200 indoors and will be tough to beat outdoors. Teammate Trevor Keen looks to finish his fine career with high places in the 1600 and 3200. Grisha Iventichev from Friends has the ability to run with anyone. Loyola’s freshman Matt Jablonski could also be in the mix in these events.

Hurdles:
Eric Franklin from Curley is the favorite here as he is the defending outdoor champ in the 110 hurdles. He does not run indoor. Terence Robinson from St. Joe is the indoor champ in the hurdles and carries momentum into the outdoor season. Jabulani Blyden from Gilman can be very strong in the 300 hurdles.

Jumps:
In the horizontal jumps, the man to beat is Dorian Johnson from St. Joe. Johnson was indoor champ in long jump and triple jump and is nationally ranked in the triple jump. Teammates Marcus Stanback and Markeith Price could help the Gaels go 1-2 in these events in outdoor as they did in indoor. McDonogh’s  Justin Gross has an injury riddled indoor season but can jump with the best of them. Loyola’s John Davenport was third in outdoor long jump last year. Curley’s Omar Ballo was a surprise second last year in the triple jump. Gilman’s Jordan Love is an amazing athlete who will contend in the long jump and high jump.

Calvert Hall’s Dominic McAlily is the indoor high jump champion but this event is wide open. Curley’s Jerome Junior comes back from an injury after jumping six feet last year.  The pole vault is another wide open event. Andrew Darmody of MSJ is the indoor champion, but Steve Waldt of Curley and Conrad Merkle and Andrew Nelson of Gilman all can jump to the same heights as Darmody.

Throws:
The heavy favorites in the throw events are Sean and Patrick Boyle from Calvert Hall, who took 1-2 in every indoor
shot put. Brendan Aronson from Gilman is looking strong and there are many athletes who could improve and score in the discus as many seniors graduated last year.

Relays:
The relays are always marquee events for team bragging rights in track and field. The 4x100 and 4x200 seem destined to be tight races with St. Joe and Curley. However, McDonogh, Loyola and Cardinal Gibbons could move into contention in these events. The 4x400 and 4x800 has featured some epic duals in the last two years between Loyola and Gilman. Based on indoor results, these two teams appear ready to do battle again as Blyden and Bryant go toe to toe with Orsulak and Davenport. Mount Saint Joe has the horses to compete in the 4x400 if they all get healthy and Calvert Hall has the ability to run the 4x800 with anyone.

(Analysis by Loyola head coach Chris Cucuzella with input from other league coaches.)