Third meet: A `buzz’ around the boys’ 4 X 400

B-CC track and field team's third developmental meet – held late Tuesday afternoon at Georgetown Prep and including public and private schools in Montgomery County – is perhaps the most informal of the season. Organizers call it a practice. Coach Chad Young allowed the student-athletes to choose the events they wanted to run. ``That’s how this meet works,’’ he said. ``They make it really athlete-centered.’’

But it didn’t mean that his athletes competed with less intensity. The boys’ distance runners were good examples, Young said.

In the boys 4 X 400 relay – without top runner Ben Gold, who sprained an ankle during practice -- sophomore Julien Dorsey joined junior Terrence James and seniors Alex Barrett and Brendan McClafferty to post a 3:46 finish.

``It was the most exciting race – there was a buzz about it,’’ Young said. ``WJ (Walter Johnson) was leading going into the last lap, and Alex caught up to the WJ runner, the WJ runner surged ahead, Alex and he went side by side but Alex couldn’t quite get past him in the end.’’

Young said the relay team has had a great start to the season. ``We have a core group of guys now, all working hard, and they all have a good attitude,’’ he said. ``This year we have something to work with, and the guys are competitive.’’ One example: McClafferty’s time of 57.3 was a second faster than his race last week.

Another bright spot, he said, were a trio of senior boy runners for the 1,600 meter race (a mile is 1,609 meters). Eric Damtoft ran 4:52, Chris Henderson 4:57, and Nick Richter 5:00. ``We should see these distance guys improve this season,’’ Young said. ``They are learning how to race.’’

In the boys’ 800 meter race, junior Trevor Stephens – a varsity soccer player in the fall – ran his fastest time of the year, finishing in 2:08. ``He raced pretty hard, got in there, went out with the top pack and finished well, close to the winner,’’ Young said.

For the girls, Young pinpointed one race – the 200-meter sprint. Sophomore Hannah Levin posted the fastest time, finishing in 28.5. Junior Brianna Vlanton was right behind, finishing in 28.9.

Tuesday’s meet was the last one before winter break. The first official meet, in which times are recorded, is scheduled for Jan. 9, an all-day affair that starts at 8 a.m. at Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex.