Here’s what you need to know for the 2025 high school girls outdoor track and field season in the Baltimore area:

Storylines to watch

One last run for Elise Cooper: One of the most dominant sprinters over the past few years, McDonogh’s Elise Cooper closes her highly decorated high school career this spring. Cooper has won 23 Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland titles combining indoor and outdoor seasons (17 individual races, six relays). This past summer, she ran in the 200 at the U.S. Olympic Trials and advanced to the semifinals at 17. The University of Texas commit is coming off a winter indoor track season in which she put her name in national record books. At the New Balance Indoor Nationals, Cooper ran the 200 meters in 22.64 seconds. It was the fastest time in the United States and the second fastest time ever for a high school runner. With one more season to go, it will be exciting to see what other records she can break and how one of the area’s best athletes wraps up one portion of her career and prepares for the next.

A Century-Hereford rematch for the Clas 2A state title?At the Class 2A indoor state championships, Century beat out Hereford for the team title by two points. The Bulls, the defending 2A outdoor state champions, likely won’t let that go unchallenged. Expect another showdown on Memorial Day weekend between the two power programs. It’s a fun matchup to follow. Century has great mid-distance runners in Cailyn Stine, the Mitroka twins (Emily and Elizabeth), and freshman Ella Lustig. Hereford counters with one of the area’s best distance runners in Sylvia Snider and an up-and-coming field athlete in Eliza Fox. Hereford’s Maddie Drylie and Century’s Charlotte Prunkl could also duel for the pole vault championship. All of it equals a fun championship race.

Is Howard County more than a two-team race? Since the calendar flipped to 2024, Howard County championship track meets have come down to Howard vs. Oakland Mills. In the three championship meets, it’s always been a close battle — the largest margin of victory has been 12.5 points. The Lions bested the Scorpions by 9.5 points last spring. In the winter, Oakland Mills won this year’s indoor championship by 5.5 points. While it’s safe to assume the same two programs will battle it out again this spring, don’t count out River Hill. The Hawks boast one of the nation’s best 4×800 relay teams and athletes who can pile up enough points to make them a contender — not only just at the county meet but in 3A.

Another close battle expected in Anne Arundel County:While Broadneck prevailed at last spring’s Anne Arundel championship meet, there was very little breathing room as Crofton, Arundel and Severna Park all had great showings, creating a wide-open county race. The same could be said for this past winter’s indoor championship as Crofton took the title with Severna Park and Broadneck close behind. The same powers are likely to battle again for this year’s outdoor championship. They each have their area of strength. Crofton possesses the best sprint group, Severna Park’s distance corps is just on another level and Broadneck has good balance and scores high in field events. The title will likely be decided by who builds the best well-rounded team and picks up the most points in the areas that aren’t their specialties.

Can Woodlawn continue its run of success?Woodlawn won its first indoor track and field state title last winter and followed it up in the spring with another title outdoors. Some thought that was going to be it when the team said goodbye to seniors Nikiyah Williams and Arayana Ladson, but Kenya Merritt and Destiny Coleman have shown that the Warriors aren’t going anywhere. This winter, they dominated locally, putting up impressive showings out of state at regional and national competitions, topping Hereford by 34 for points for the Baltimore County title and tying Urbana for another 4A state championship. Last year’s 4×100 state championship relay team for Woodlawn consisted of all underclassmen with Jordan Christie and Anjela Fitzhugh joining Coleman and Merritt. Woodlawn is loaded again to go after another championship.

Athletes to watch

Elena Cooper, McDonogh, senior:Sometimes overshadowed by her sister, Elena is a superstar in her own right. A Stanford commit, she won the IAAM indoor long jump and triple jump championship. She is coming off a second-place finish in the long jump at the New Balance Nationals.

Elise Cooper, McDonogh, senior: Any race Cooper lines up for, she’s the favorite to win. Her future is as bright as any runner that has come through Baltimore in many years, so expect more championships and records in her final high school season.

Winter Evans, Harford Tech, senior: Evans was a key part of the Cobra’s 1A indoor state championship team, winning the individual title in the high jump. She also is an accomplished hurdler and will be a key piece as the Cobras look to claim another title.

Kenya Merritt, Woodlawn, senior:Merritt has stepped up majorly for the Warriors as a key piece of their championship pursuits. This winter, she won the 4A state championship in the 500 and ran on Woodlawn’s 4×200 team with Destiny Coleman, Jordan Christie and Anjela Fitzhugh who won the Nike Nationals.

Julia Norris, McDonogh, senior: Norris was the top returning thrower in the area coming into this year and backed that up with her indoor showing. She won the IAAM A Conference title in the shot put and had a top throw of 41 feet, 2.5 inches, which was third best in all of Maryland.

Danielle Perez, Randallstown, senior: Perez has multiple state championships on her resume. This winter, she won the 2A indoor state title in the 300 and was runner-up in the 55. Last spring, she won the 2A outdoor title in the 400.

Ta’Leah Phillips, Pikesville, sophomore: Phillips emerged last spring with a phenomenal freshman season, winning Baltimore County titles in the 100 and 300 hurdles, then following it up with a 1A state championship in the 300 hurdles.

Sylvia Snider, Hereford, senior: Snider, perhaps the area’s premier distance runner, broke through in a big way last month at the indoor state championships, winning her first two career individual state championships in the 1,600 and 3,200.

Elizabeth Szybalski, Manchester Valley, senior: Szybalski is looking to defend her 3A state title in the 800. She won the event at last spring’s outdoor state championships, then did it again this winter at the indoor state meet.

Marella Virmani, River Hill, junior: Virmani is coming off a 3A indoor state championship in the 800 and is a key component of a 4×800 relay with her sister Lauren, Alyssa Mattes and Nikita Moran who has been known to smash state records.

Preseason top 15 teams

1. McDonogh

Coach: Bernard Williams

Last season: IAAM A Conference champion, ranked No. 1

Outlook: When McDonogh brings its A-team to a meet, it is nearly impossible to beat. The Eagles have won every IAAM A Conference title since the return from the pandemic and there’s no reason to doubt another is on the way.

2. Woodlawn

Coach: Joey Young

Last season: Class 4A state champion, No. 2

Outlook: Merritt and Coleman are team leaders, but the Warriors have an all-around solid group. The additional sprints and jumps in the outdoor program fit right in with the team strengths and will be key toward another state championship run.

3. Century

Coach: Alexis Daniel

Last season: Fifth in Class 2A, not ranked

Outlook: The Knights are coming off an indoor season in which they won multiple invitationals and the Class 2A state championship. They’ll be a favorite to claim an outdoor title with team strengths in distance, mid-distance and pole vault.

4. Maryvale Prep

Coach: Jason Miller

Last season: Third in IAAM A Conference, No. 15

Outlook: Maryvale had an excellent indoor season and only finished 12 points behind McDonogh for the conference title. If any team can knock the Eagles down, it’s the Lions. Their team depth will contribute points in events across the board.

5. Hereford

Coach: Adam Hittner

Last season: Class 2A state champion, No. 3

Outlook: The Bulls are looking to defend their state title, especially after falling just short of getting another indoor crown last month. Snider will lead the charge with a solid supporting cast that includes many potential state medalists.

6. Oakland Mills

Coach: Renato Gonzales

Last season: Class 3A runner-up, No. 5

Outlook: The Scorpions finished just two points behind Arundel last year at the state meet and return, among others, Alicia Hall, the state champ in the triple jump, and Codi Mallot, the state champ in the 300 hurdles.

7. Crofton

Coach: Stacy Severtson

Last season: 25th in Class 4A, No. 13

Outlook: The Cardinals have steadily built their program up to where it is now at the front of a strong Anne Arundel County pack. They are still looking to make an impact at the state level, and sprinter Laila Carpenter will go a long way toward making that happen.

8. Severna Park

Coach: Josh Alcombright

Last season: Tied for 19th in Class 3A, not ranked

Outlook: The Falcons’ distance program is second to none in the area, and Josie Kamas and Lexi Fitzsimmons are among those who can win a lot of events and score a lot of points for a team coming off a fourth-place indoor state finish.

9. Harford Tech

Coach: Darrell Diamond

Last season: Fourth in Class 2A, No. 10

Outlook: Evans, Madisyn Bobb, Madisen Morgan and Destiny Baker are as formidable a group of sprinters and jumpers out there. Also, senior Isabel DeVos has already won two state championships this year: cross country and the indoor 3,200.

10. Howard

Coach: Eric Jenks

Last season: Tied for fourth in Class 3A, No. 6

Outlook: Sydney Rhodes has a state-championship pedigree and the Lions have enough talent surrounding her that they’ll be contenders again in Howard County and Class 3A, where they were indoor state runners-up.

11. River Hill

Coach: Kelley Pfefferkorn

Last season: Tied for fourth in Class 3A, No. 7

Outlook: The Hawks still have many of the pieces that were instrumental in their 2023 Class 3A state championship, including the Virmani sisters. They always seem to be in contention at the big meets but just need to find one or two other key pieces who will bring them back to a championship level.

12. Randallstown

Coach: Jerry Roney

Last season: Third in Class 2A, No. 8

Outlook: Perez might be one of the most underrated stars in the area. All four Rams who ran on last year’s Class 2A state championship 4×400 relay — Perez, Taylor Garrett, Niyona Watson and Trinity Jordan — were underclassmen.

13. Mount de Sales

Coach: Paul Whittaker

Last season: Fourth in IAAM A Conference, not ranked

Outlook: While McDonogh and Maryvale form a clear top two in the IAAM, Mount de Sales is next in line and has a roster full of potential to challenge the front-runners. The Sailors are coming off a second-place finish at the indoor conference championships.

14. Manchester Valley

Coach: Jim MacDonald

Last season: Tied for 22nd in Class 3A, not ranked

Outlook: The Mavericks, with multi-time state champion Szybalski leading the way, were second in Carroll County behind Century this winter indoor season and are the defending county outdoor champions.

15. Broadneck

Coach: Josh Webster

Last season: Sixth in Class 4A, No. 9

Outlook: The Bruins always have a well-balanced roster, and this year is no exception. Field events are their strength and pole vaulter Dana Doubeck might be the best in the area.

Others considered: Centennial, Liberty, Notre Dame Prep, Spalding, Western Tech

Have a news tip? Contact Anthony Maluso at amaluso@baltsun.com, 567-230-6024, x.com/TonySunSports and instagram.com/TonySunSports.