Cougars Pounce On The Competition

Boys Take Region Crown, Girls Finish First At County Meet

By Amy Russell
After the girls handled the Anne Arundel County competition, the Chesapeake High School boys indoor track and field team went on to dominate the Central Region. In addition to the crown, four Cougar boys took home individual championships.
Jason Crane and Tom Clemson each took first in the high jump, Jake Sanner threw first place in the shot put and Brennan Hardesty cleared a full foot over his personal best to take the crown in pole vault.

In all, an impressive 19 Cougars qualified for states, including 11 of 12 field competitors. State-bound athletes will compete to earn best in Maryland status when the tournament begins on February 22.
Leading up to the region tournament, the Cougars impressed at the Anne Arundel County Championship meet where the girls took first place and the boys came in second, just two points behind Old Mill.
On the girls side, the Cougars produced three first place wins in the field events: Aubree Frye in the high jump, Casey Smith in the shot put and Kara Lingenfelter, who set a meet and school record in the pole vault. On the track, Katelyn Rilee took first place in the 3200m run, and set a school record. The girls defeated second place Broadneck by more than 20 points to post a decisive win.
The boys team also brought in three first place field wins: two by Jason Crane in the high jump and long jump, and one by Jake Sanner in the shot put. In the end, the boys came up just shy of the title, which was won by Old Mill.
“We went into the meet knowing there would be tough competition,” head coach Tara Witmer told her team. “We rose to the challenge and once again showed the county what the Cougars are made of. It is pretty outstanding when other county coaches are taking note that CHS dominates in the field. The coaching staff, parents and team are all proud of such a stellar accomplishment!”
At the event, the Cougars racked up 46 personal records.
As the season comes to a close, the Cougars will host their fourth annual Celebrate Pi Day, 3.14 mile run/walk fundraiser on March 12 at 10:00am. The event will be a cross country-style race held on the Chesapeake High, Middle and Elementary school campus. Awards will be given and all participants will receive a Strawberry Shortcake Celebrate Pi Day t-shirt. The cost is $20 by March 4, or $25 for race-day registration. For more information about the fundraiser, contact Tara Witmer at twitmer@aacps.org.