Warriors still savoring state title

BOONSBORO — Winning a state championship isn’t a novelty that wears off quickly.

Four days after capturing the Class 1A team title at the Maryland State Track & Field Championships in Baltimore, the Boonsboro girls were back in their track uniforms Wednesday. Those who won individual medals at the meet had their coveted prizes proudly draped around their necks again. Smiles remained abundant.

“Everyone’s still on Cloud 9. I still don’t believe it,” said Boonsboro head coach Becky Walter, who won’t soon forget it.

The 2011 Warriors assembled one final time Wednesday for their official team photo — one that will hang in a school hallway alongside the team photos of the 16 other state champs in Boonsboro history.

Eight of Boonsboro’s 17 team titles have been won in girls track and field. The one constant in all the track photos is Dwight Scott, who was the head coach when the Warriors were champions in 1984, ’85, ’86, ’88 and ’90 and an assistant coach on the title-winning teams of 2004, ’05 and this year.

“This team is very similar to the championship teams we had in the mid-1980s,” Scott said. “You have to have three elements if you’re going to be a team champion — talent, balance and depth. ... Of all the girls track teams I’ve seen, this is one of the best we’ve had.”

The Warriors were led by gold medalists Abby Duncan, Maggie Sullivan and Becky Young. Duncan won the 100- and 200-meter dashes, Sullivan was the champ in both hurdles races (100 high and 300 intermediate) and Young prevailed in the shot put.

“It’s great to get individual titles. That helps me as a person,” Duncan said. “But winning those titles also helps a whole lot of other girls, and that’s what feels so great. We all wanted it so bad.”

While Boonsboro will lose Young to graduation, Duncan was just a sophomore this year and Sullivan was only a freshman. Sarah Zielinski and Kortney Cunningham, who both scored points in both the 1,600 and 3,200, were underclassmen as well, as were a host of other key contributors.

“I expect this team to win this thing again next year — and the year after,” Scott said. “Our girls have a shot at greatness.”

A taste of the title does usually lead to a hunger for more.

“In my mind, it’s never going to stop,” Sullivan said. “I’m going to keep working out this summer. I’m excited to come back.”