Sasha Smallwood and Panthers on the rise (MD)

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Track and field: Pole vaulter and Panthers on the rise
Smallwood takes game to a new level
By Craig Clary
cclary@patuxent.com

Posted 2/17/10

(Enlarge) With Old Glory in the background, two-time state champion Sasha Smallwood vaults over the bar at the Baltimore County championship meet Jan. 26 at the Fifth Regiment Armory. The Pikesville High junior smashed a meet record by 7 inches. (Staff photo by Matt Roth)
Sasha Smallwood knows how to captivate the attention of fans and competitors at a championship meet -- by soaring to heights never before reached by county girls pole vaulters.

Last month, the Pikesville junior broke her own county and meet record by clearing 11 feet, 7 inches while winning the event at the Baltimore County Track and Field championships for the second year in a row.

Smallwood eclipsed her county record set earlier this season by 1 inch and shattered the county championship meet mark by a whopping 17 inches.

Urbana's Lauren Graff holds the state record of 11-9, set in 2002.

Smallwood's assault on that standard will be accompanied by her teammates' quest for a Class 1A state championship at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Center on Feb. 15.

"That is one of our goals," said coach Gerard Filosa, who has worked with Smallwood the past three seasons. "We figure to be among the top three."

Last year, Pikesville placed seventh in the 1A meet with 20 team points when Smallwood won pole vault and Brandi Hurtt was second in shot put.

But this year's postseason optimism stems from new faces that have combined to join Smallwood in the spotlight.

When Pikesville finished second to Hereford in the Baltimore County championships, Jan. 26, it was the highest finish for either the girls or boys in program history.

The boys have competed since 1960 and the girls since 1976.

The Panthers scored 55 points to hold off Western Tech (52) and Catonsville (49) for the silver medal. Hereford (102) finished well ahead of its closest pursuers.

Smallwood did not confine her standout performance to aerial theatrics.

She was also pretty good on the ground, anchoring the first-place 800-meter relay team (1:56.40) with Mykael Dixon, Lacey Kerlander and Takera Smalley.

If that wasn't enough, Smallwood also placed fifth in the 55 hurdles (9.89).

"This year the hurdles are something new," Filosa said. "A lot of the approach to hurdles and pole vault are similar."

Her versatility makes her "more attractive to colleges," according to Filosa.

Smallwood's combined 10 county, regional and state indoor and outdoor track titles should also make her a collegiate target.

First-year girls coach Adam Hittner may have some other potential collegiate gems on the track.

Smalley, a junior, won the 55 dash (7.59) and tied for second in the 300 (46.10) at the county meet.

Dixon, a sophomore, was fifth in the 55 and was on the third-place 1,600 relay (4.35) with Smalley, Abby Molofsky and Smallwood.

"We were hoping they (Smalley and Dixon) would go one-two at counties," Hittner said. "We have high hopes at states."

The Pikesville 3,200 relay foursome, Jara Title, Stephanie Honig, Keyona Anthony and Hannah Marcin, could also be a threat at states after finishing sixth in the county.

Other Panthers on the prowl are shot putters Hurtt, (3rd, 31 feet, 4 inches) and Keyona Anthony (6th, 28-1.5).

Last year, Hurtt beat her previous best throw by 3 feet at the state meet, placing second.

If she could repeat that performance, Pikesville could be celebrating something special at the state meet.

"We have to have things go well for us, but this team is state-championship caliber," Hittner said.

While the Pikesville boys were fifth at the county meet won by Hereford, they could also do some damage at the state meet.

Senior Corey Cutler, a double winner in the 300 (37.60) and 500 (1:10.40), is a strong candidate along with senior Blake Stein in the 1,600 and 800.

Stein was second to Dulaney's Matt Rever in the 1,600 (4:45.70) at the county meet.

Cutler may also represent in high jump.

"He's a really good high jumper," said Hittner, noting Cutler tied for fifth (5-6) at the county meet despite having to rush back to the jump area after completing one of his sprints.

George Fuzayl, Josh Borris, Haile Kostin and Shawn Markow were sixth in the 3,200 relay.