2008-9 MIAA INDOOR TRACK PREVIEW
by Chris Cuccuzzella
TEAM OUTLOOK
The 2008-9 MIAA indoor track season promises to be as exciting as the past years have been in this very competitive conference.
Vincent Fuller’s Mount Saint Joseph Gaels seem to have a stranglehold on the title and will be favorites again this year. They will be paced by MIAA champion jumper Dorian Johnson and four year varsity runner Duane Parker. Kyle Fuller will be a major contributor in the jumps. Always count on the Gaels to score big in the jumps, sprints and hurdles.
Gene Hoffman’s Archbishop Curley Friars won last year’s outdoor championship and returns MIAA champion sprinter George Chambers. Leads a solid sprint crew and freshman distance runner Ron Ozarowski continues to improve. Hurdler John Rybak should be a factor.
Johnnie Foreman’s Gilman Greyhounds appear to be loaded and can make a run at the title. MIAA champion Jabulani Blyden can run anything from the 55 hurdles to the 800 and will anchor Gilman’s solid relay squads. JD Kameen made great strides last year in the sprints and should be one of the league’s top sprinters. Gilman is also loaded in the pole vault.
Kris Mitchell’s Calvert Hall Cardinals will be led by Chris Swisko, Nick Rowe and their distance corps.
Chris Cucuzzella’s Loyola Dons will feature John Davenport in the sprints, Brett Flurry in the middle distances and Matt Jablonski in the mile and two mile. Loyola also hopes to field some strong relays.
Jeff Sanborn’s McDonogh Eagles will be paced by jumping and hurdle star Justin Gross and distance runner Demetrios Pagonis.
Andy Witte’s Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers look to score big in the distance races with the outstanding trio of Zach Sullivan, Ryan Topita and JR Spencer.
Rob Torres’ John Carroll hope to score in some of the middle distance races with Ian Richardson and freshman sensation Ben Pickett.
Taylor McDowell of Saint John's Catholic Prep (coached by John W. Herr IV) was the MIAA B-conference cross country champion. Look for him in the 1 and 2 mile races.Look for Saint John's to put together a very strong 4x800 relay headed up by Taylor McDowell and Kieran Blakemore.
EVENT PREVIEWS
SPRINTS: Curley’s George Chambers appears to be the best of this quality group. Chambers is the returning champion in the 300 and outdoor champion in the 200 and 400. His main competition will come from John Davenport of Loyola and JD Kameen from Gilman. A healthy Duane Parker from MSJ could also pose a threat.
MIDDLE DISTANCE: Jabulani Blyden is the best 400/800 runner in the conference and looks to finish his fine career on top. Other top runners in this group include Brett Flurry.
DISTANCE: The mile and two mile races should be very competitive. Returning two mile champion Zach Sullivan leads Spalding’s senior trio with Ryan Topita and JR Spencer. Chris Swisko was second in the mile last year and will have many solid teammates also contenting. Matt Jablonski was second in the outdoor mile last year and will contend in both races. Demetrios Pagonis of McDonogh will be in the hunt as will miler Ben Deford of Gilman.
HURDLES: This event is also wide open. Justin Gross, Dorian Johnson and John Rybak seem to be among the main contenders.
JUMPS: Dorian Johnson is the returning champion in both the indoor long and triple jump and will be tough to beat. He will be pushed by Justin Gross and teammate Fuller. Gilman will field a strong squad in the pole vault. They will be led by Will Fenwick and Andrew Nelson. The high jump appears to be wide open this year. Jacob Peery from Curley is a top returner.
THROWS: The graduation of the Boyle brothers of Calvert Hall throws this event wide open.
RELAYS: The relays are always an exciting highlight of any track meet. Gilman and Loyola has some epic duals last year in the 4 X 800 and while both teams graduated a couple key runners, they both should field strong teams this year. Watch out for Calvert Hall with their cadre of strong distance runners.
Mount Saint Joe and Curley seem to excel in the 4 X 200 and both will probably field strong teams again. Chambers from Curley is a threat to run anyone down as an anchor leg.
The 4 X 400 has belonged to Gilman in recent years and the Greyhounds will field a strong squad again this year. Loyola and Mount Saint Joe have challenged in the past and hope to do so again this year.
SEASON OVERVIEW
The MIAA conference schedule will include two league meets at Loyola in December followed by a league meet in December at PG Center. January will feature another league meet at PG, the Loyola Relays and the championship at PG Center on January 16. Many league teams will attend invitationals such as Frostbite Invite in December, Montgomery Invite in January and the Private School Championship at Georgetown Prep in February.
Check back with this website for more results, articles and updates as the season progresses.