North Hagerstown's Nevelle Pierre, who anchored the Hubs' second-place 800 relay Thursday, was the star of the boys meet Saturday, winning the 200 (22.4), high jump (6-3) and triple jump (43-1 1/4) to easily secure his spots for states.
The top four in each event at regionals automatically advanced to the state meet, which begins Thursday at Morgan State University in Baltimore.
"Today was a challenge. Some of those guys in my events got my heart pumping and got me sweating," Pierre said. "I'm just very happy to have won my events and gotten this far. ... Now, I'm looking for four state medals."
North's positive vibes extended to Darail Porter, who edged out South's Ronald Jackson to win the 100 as each sprinter clocked 11.0.
"I was a little nervous, a little tight, but my friends had me pumped up," Porter said. "We're pretty tight. Everybody loves everybody on this team. We're behind each other 100 percent."
For the North girls, Jessica Hanlin, who easily won the 3,200 Thursday, continued to surprise herself by adding another title in the 1,600 (5:29.3). She pulled away from the field over the last two laps and won by more than two seconds.
"I definitely didn't expect even any wins coming in," Hanlin said. "I just wanted to make it to states."
North finished third in the boys team standings with 83 1/2 points, a half-point behind runner-up Century. Middletown, the defending state champ, ran away with its fifth straight region crown with 149 points, despite competing without star jumper Boris Roslov, who recently left the team.
"I'm extremely proud of the way our team performed. They ran with heart," Middletown coach Don Boyer said. "We scored in 16 of 18 events and we had a lot of 1-2 and 2-3 finishes. We just wanted to score people and get them to states."
The Knights' winners Saturday were Josh Aldana in the 110 hurdles (14.5), Steve Papuchis in the 300 hurdles (40.4), John Coconis in the 1,600 (4:32.4) and their 1,600-relay team (3:30.0).
Century won the girls team title with 118 1/2 points. Middletown, which received wins from Amanda Spickler in the 300 hurdles (46.1) and its 1,600-relay team (4:09.6) Saturday, was second with 95 1/2.
