Rebels' VanMeter powers to Maryland Class 3A indoor state title in shot put
LANDOVER, Md. — With the Maryland Class 3A indoor track and field boys shot put state title already secured as he prepared for his final throw of Wednesday night, South Hagerstown senior Ethan VanMeter saved his best for last.
With the nearby competitors and coaches showing support with their rhythmic clapping, VanMeter went into his spin and unleashed a personal-record throw of 50 feet, 9 inches, raising his own indoor school record for the second time in 30 minutes to cap a championship performance at the Prince George’s Sportsplex.
"That last one, it felt like I hit it," said VanMeter, who threw 50-6 three throws earlier. "It feels great."
VanMeter has steadily improved over his four years at South. As a freshman, his best throw was 37-9 1/4. As a sophomore outdoors, he improved to 41-5 1/2. Indoors as a junior, he raised his personal record dramatically to 48 feet, but had a disappointing performance at the state meet, finishing sixth at 43-5.
Outdoors last spring, he started incorporating the spin technique into his throwing. It didn't click right away and his best effort that season was 43-6 1/2. But it started paying dividends this season as his personal record improved to 48-6 3/4 in winning the county title, then 50-1 to claim the Central Maryland Conference title.
"I came into it a little more fresh this season," VanMeter said. "We powered through the rough times until I started to figure it out, and I've never looked back."
VanMeter insists there's better performances in him right now — "I've thrown farther in practice than I did today. My goal for the day was 53 (feet) and that's what I'll aim for at New Balance (Nationals)," he said. "The school record outdoors is 55 (feet) and I'd like to get that, too."
North Hagerstown sophomore Lauren Stine set an indoor personal record in the girls 3,200, finishing a close second in 11:30.45. River Hill's Lauren Virmani opened a small gap over Stine during the final three laps and won in 11:29.29.
Surprisingly, Stine said she wasn't at her best, either Wednesday or throughout the season. Her outdoor personal record in the 3,200 is 11:24.15.
"It's upsetting to be that close (to a state title)," Stine said. "I'm excited for outdoor. I haven't done any speed work yet. This gives me motivation."
North sophomore Mio Desclous tied for fourth in the boys pole vault, clearing 12 feet. He cleared 12-4 to win the 3A West meet on Feb. 9 and was hoping to go higher, but never looked comfortable on his attempts at 12-6.
"You have to take every chance you get, and I regret that I didn't," said Desclous. "I just really want to win states. That was my goal here."
Desclous still ends the season as a county and region champion. His personal record in the event coming into the season was 11-6, accomplished while finishing seventh in the state meet outdoors last year.
Older sister Clara Desclous won Class 3A state titles in the girls pole vault both indoors and outdoors in 2019, with a top performance of 11-3 that was only 4 inches short of the county record.
South Hagerstown junior Riley Troxell, completing her first-ever season of track and field, finished fifth in the girls pole vault, clearing 10 feet. Four months ago, she had never done the event, but she improved from 6-6 in her first meet on Dec. 17, all the way to a personal record of 10-2 in the 3A West championships.
"This was something new just to stay in shape for spring sports," Troxell said. "My coach (Aaron Kelly) asked me to try (pole vault). I was a former gymnast so I have a natural ability for it.
"It's definitely a surprise just to be at states. It's crazy."
North Hagerstown also got eighth-place finishes from seniors Jake Scallion in the boys 500 (1:09.08) and D.U. Mbeli in the shot put (42 feet).
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: South Hagerstown's Ethan VanMeter wins Maryland 3A indoor shot put title
