(Feb. 1, 2013) The Stephen Decatur boys’ indoor track team was favored to win the Bayside Conference championship title and the Seahawks did not disappoint. The squad took home the Bayside crown Jan. 23, following grueling competition at the Worcester County Recreation Center in Snow Hill.
“We were really strong in the field events and that helped carry us,” said Decatur Coach Jody Stigler. “Kent Island dominated in the distance events (1,600- and 3,200-meter races), but we scored really well in a lot of other events.”
The Seahawks also captured the top award last year.
Sophomore Lucas Duker won the high jump event (6 feet), and senior Patrick Phillips earned top honors in the shot put (46 feet 4 inches). And senior Kyle Kelly was victorious for the second consecutive year in the 300-meter race (37.38 seconds).
Kelly was also a member of Decatur’s 800-meter relay team with seniors James Mapp and Jamel Showell and sophomore Jakhai Woodard. The boys won the event in 1:35.62.
Kelly snagged a third first-
place award in the 1,600-meter relay event. Sophomore Jackson Mumford, seniors Sunny Aroh and Daniel Winters, along with Kyle, won the race in 3:45.7.
The Decatur boys’ team scored at total of 140 points. Kent Island finished in second place with 101 points.
The Lady Seahawks earned 111 points, good enough for second place. Kent Island finished in first with 123 points.
Senior Ameerah Lewis was the only Decatur female athlete to win an event. Lewis scored a victory in the shot put, throwing a distance of 31 feet 10.5 inches. She is a two-time Bayside champ in the event.
“Points added up from the other events. We got seven second places and four third places,” Stigler said. “Kent Island scored most of their points in three events (800m, 1,600m and 3,200m). We did pretty well. Most of the girls ran their best times.”
The Seahawks will next compete in the 3A East Regional meet, Feb. 5, at the Baltimore Armory.
“The region is strong, as usual,” Stigler said. “The competition will be really strong for the runners. I think the field events is where we will excel.”
The top four athletes in each regional event will advance to the 3A state championship, scheduled for Feb. 19, at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Md.
