Hollowell, Ayres Claim State Titles

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity indoor track team enjoyed a successful Class 3A state championship meet last weekend, returning with two state titles including a three-peat by one highly decorated Seahawk.

Decatur competed in several events in the state Class 3A meet last weekend at the Prince George’s County Athletic Complex and came home with two individual state championships. Senior Bradley Hollowell won the state pole-vaulting title for the third straight year, culminating a highly successful career at Decatur. Hollowell vaulted 15-feet in the final, topping a pair of second place finishers, including teammate Dan Cericola and Hereford’s Kevin Payne, who topped out at 11’6”.

Also winning a state title for Decatur was senior Cordonte Ayres, who finished first in the finals of the men’s 300-meter dash. Ayres finished the final heat in 35.83, edging Altholton’s Andrew King, who came in a close second at 36.00. Overall, the Decatur boys’ came in ninth place out of the 34 Class 3A team competing with 26 total team points.

On the girls’ side, the Seahawks finished off a successful 2010-2011 campaign with a decent showing at the state meet, finishing 30th overall with a handful of notable individual performances. Decatur’s Ravyn Saunders finished seventh in the women’s 500-meter dash. Saunders was part of Decatur’s eighth-place team in the 4x800 relay that also included Layla Fowler, Lauren Logan and Carly Bodolus. Lydia Logan finished 11th overall in the pole vault for the Seahawks.