Eastern Tech Finally Ready to Kick Off Football Season

The Mavericks football program has had an impressive four-year run.

The Mavericks, coached by Marc Mesaros, were Class 2A state titlists in 2009 after two consecutive runner-up finishes to River Hill of Howard County, and last fall, reached the Class 2A state semifinals, ending with an 11-2 record.

As a Class 3A program this year, the Mavericks have risen into Baltimore County's difficult Class 3A-4A, home of programs such as three-time state champion Hereford and last year's Class 3A state runner-up Franklin.

After a scheduled season-opener against City College of Baltimore City was canceled, the Mavericks will visit a Franklin squad that is still smarting from a season-opening 30-7 loss to Henry A. Wise of Prince George's County. The game at Franklin on Friday begins at 7 p.m.

The Indians boast highly recruited receiver Ian Thomas, meaning the Mavericks will have to be on their toes.

Kenwood Cross Country Starts Strong

senior Shawn Strasdauskas was fourth overall in a personal best time of 17 minutes, 53 seconds in the boys race, and junior teammate Jada Boyd was fifth in the girls race with a PR of 22:35 over the 3.1-mile course at last weekend's Baltimore County relays that opened the cross country season.

Hereford won the overall title in the boys race, and Catonsville won the girls.

"We had a very good day at the county relays, even though more than three-quarters of our team was unable to go due to Labor Day weekend plans," Kenwood coach Mark Planamente said. "We had six boys and two girls who ended up running yesterday in the 3.1 mile race."

Following Strasdauskas were freshman Nathan Burchett in 20:17, seniors Andrew Diesenberg, Yardell Henderson and Kevin Delossantos, respectively, in 21:55, 23:25 and 24:35, and freshman Taylor Marks at 25:58.

Senior Qiana Washington-Dow crossed the finish line in 28:36 in the girls' race.

"All of them were personal records except Kevin Delossantos," Planamente said. "Burchett as a freshman just put himself in top 10 of freshmen already, and Strasdauskas, as a senior, put himself in contention for the county and region."

Kenwood Names Girls Soccer Captains

Alyssa Williams, Mercedes Butler, Katlynn Red and Pam Critcher were named captains of the Kenwood girls varsity soccer team on Friday following a team vote and after coaches' considerations.

A four-year varsity player, Williams has had an outstanding athletic career for the Bluebirds, having been named the squad's unsung hero last season.

Also a fourth-year varsity player, Butler is the anchor for the Bluebirds' defense.

Another fourth-year varsity player, Critcher led the Bluebirds in assists and ranked second in goal-scoring.

Red enters her third year on the varsity after having registered more than 60 saves in the goal last season.

Kenwood next plays at 3:45 p.m. Thursday at Dulaney.