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The Gazette's three-week series lauding the best Montgomery County high school athletes of the past 10 years concludes here with the spring sports.
Like the All-Gazette teams, there were a lot of variables in selecting these teams: statistics, team accomplishments and big-game performances, to name a few, with some subjective opinion thrown in.
Here are the best of the best in baseball, lacrosse, softball, boys tennis and outdoor track and field:
Baseball
Player of the Decade: SS-RHP Corey Consuegra, Damascus '00
Playing a complementary role to former minor leaguer Ryan Childs, Corey Consuegra enjoyed a respectable sophomore season that ended with a state championship.
But Consuegra's reputation as one of the county's best of all-time began the ensuing summer as a member of the Damascus Post 171 American Legion squad. There, Consuegra posted a 2-0 record with 19 strikeouts in 17 innings of work to lead Post 171 to the Maryland State American Legion tournament final. His pitching performance included shutting down eventual champion Francis Scott Key, a team averaging roughly 10 runs per game in the tournament, not once but twice.
"Corey was an outstanding player as a freshman on our team and by his senior year he was the outstanding player in the county," said former Damascus High coach Vic Mollet. "Corey's work ethic was what made him such a good player and tough competitor. He would stay after practice and work on his defense by taking more ground balls or go into the cage and take more BP. He always wanted to be better, so he did whatever it took to get there."
He got better until he was the best, posting a 15-1 record on the mound in his final two campaigns. As a senior, he went 6-0 in leading the Swarming Hornets to the 2000 state title. He struck out 12 in the team's state final win against Fallston.
At the plate that same senior season, Consuegra batted .467 with 7 home runs and 31 runs batted in.
Consuegra capped his final high school season by being named to the Crown All-Star game, now the Brooks Robinson High School All-Star game, and to Team Maryland as a shortstop.
P-1B Casey Baron, Paint Branch '03
Current minor league hurler batted .579 with 22 RBI at plate, went 5-2 with 1.22 ERA on mound as senior.
P Kevin Brady, Gaithersburg '08
Simply unhittable his final two seasons, going 16-0 with 210 strikeouts, sub-1.00 ERA. Now at Clemson.
P-1B Mike Celenza, Quince Orchard '06
Winning hit in 2005 state final before dominant final year: .533 average, 7 HR, 43 RBI, 6-0 record, 0.69 ERA.
P-SS Brian Conley, Quince Orchard '04
Fielder in minor leagues threw pair of no-hitters as senior, went 5-0 with 1.95 ERA. Starred at Towson.
C-P Kevin Cunningham, Blake '01
Lefty hitter, righty thrower went 8-1 with 1.02 ERA, hit .422 with 28 RBI, 6 HR in final campaign.
OF-1B Kevin Keith, Damascus '05
Despite being hampered by persistent arm injury, belted 17 home runs, 82 RBI over final two seasons.
SS Brian McKenna, Watkins Mill '00
Defensive wizard led Wolverines to 2000 state title; played at Towson and for Evansville Otters.
OF Justin Maxwell, Sherwood '01
Washington Nationals prospect, two-sport Warriors star already has hit six Major League home runs.
P-INF Matt Montgomery, Watkins Mill '03
Compiled 14-1 record, no-hitter in final two campaigns to go along with 8 home runs, 44 RBI at plate.
C Michael Moss, Walter Johnson '05
Blistered opponents in final two years for 55 RBI, 63 hits, 15 doubles. Seven triples, 4 homers as senior.
1B Ryan Roberson, Blake '01
Slugging Detroit Tigers prospect batted .413 with 7 homers, 21 RBI, 24 runs scored as senior.
3B Matt Sweeney, Magruder '06
Anaheim Angels prospect batted .600 with 11 home runs, 36 RBI, 1.380 slugging percentage in 2006.
C Adam Tidball, Georgetown Prep '00
Cannon-like arm mowed down baserunners while batting .550 as senior. Played professional baseball.
P-1B Steve Ulaky, Good Counsel '06
Guided Falcons to WCAC title in 2006, going 5-2 with 2.78 ERA; added .529 average, 42 RBI.
Boys lacrosse
Player of the Decade: A Matt Ward, Landon '02
Want to know what made Matt Ward so good?
It wasn't just his machine-like finishing, or his natural athleticism; he was a terrific golfer and tennis player, started at point guard for Landon's basketball team, fullback and linebacker on the gridiron.
A better answer actually came in a meaningless moment.
"I remember watching an NCAA playoff game, and of course Matt was at Virginia," said Bears head coach Rob Bordley. "They were in control, they had about a 7- or 8-goal lead, and he either missed a shot or got stripped of the ball. The other team was clearing, and Matt ran about 45 yards and nearly killed one of the opposing players right at the box. Whoever I was watching with, I said, ‘That's typical of Matt.'"
Of course, the best player in county history did more than just hustle. The 2002 Player of the Year had "unbelievable hands" according to Bordley, and unusual quickness for player with his bulk.
His ability really showed in college. Ward was a three-time All-American at Virginia, and won the 2006 Tewaaraton Award Trophy, given to the nation's top player, while leading the Cavaliers to an undefeated national championship season as a senior.
Shortly afterward, he was taken in the first round of the Major League Lacrosse college draft, won the league's Rookie of the Year Award, and has been a lacrosse analyst at ESPN for over two years.
"He was a fierce competitor," said Bordley. "That word is used too frequently, because I've seen a lot of kids who play hard. But he really was."
D John Bennett, Georgetown Prep '03
Arguably decade's best defender; 2003 Player of the Year helped Prep to first outright IAC title.
M Andrew Brancaccio, Georgetown Prep '06
Possessed wicked, game-changing shot; 57 goals senior year, one of Georgetown's top scorers in 2009.
G Jordan Burke, Bullis '05
Kept Bulldogs in big games; as senior at Brown, won Kelly Award, given to nation's best collegiate keeper.
A Jake Byrne, Landon '03
Before becoming team captain at Johns Hopkins, scored 76 goals in final two seasons with Bears.
M Andy Corno, Whitman '01
2001 Player of the Year was face-off monster; man among boys in high school, All-American at Georgetown.
A Josh Funk, Poolesville '04
Four-year starter scored 100 points as senior; thrived on defense at Division I Ohio State.
A Dan Glading, Georgetown Prep '05
Superlatives are superfluous; four-time first teamer, first-team All-American at Virginia, fifth pick of MLL Draft.
M Brendan Healey, Landon '02
Powerful; major cog in unbeaten 2002 season, three-time honorable mention All-American at Maryland.
D Mark Jutkowitz, Wootton '09
Top college recruit in county public school history will bring stick skills to Maryland this spring.
G Joey Kemp, Georgetown Prep '04
One of best in county history; even better in college with three All-American selections, Kelly Award.
M Mark Kovler, Landon '05
Deadly outside shooter, two-time first teamer; first-team All-American at Princeton last spring.
D Bray Malphrus, Georgetown Prep '07
Long, rangy pole was one of nation's top recruits, Under Armour All-American now at Virginia.
M Brad Ross, Bullis '04
Jack of all trades had strong collegiate career at Duke; drafted by the MLL's Toronto Nationals.
A Ryan Shuler, Georgetown Prep '07
Athletic finisher was also unstoppable as passer; could be in for big year at Georgetown this spring.
Girls lacrosse
Player of the Decade: A Jessie Dorney, Quince Orchard, '01
As a recent Sirius XM TV commercial advertised, Michael Jordan changed sports.
According to longtime head coach Jenna Ries, Quince Orchard alumnus Jessie Dorney did just that for girls lacrosse in Montgomery County.
"She was a prolific goal scorer because the goals would just come to her," said Ries. "But I wouldn't and I don't think she would define herself as that because she played really solid defense, as well. She had a great all-around field sense, elevated her teammates' play and could manipulate the opponent from 30, 40 yards out. Because of her, we ran more of a motion offense than settled, which was a very tangible change during that era."
The only two-time Gazette Player of the Year (2000-01) ended her prep career as the most prolific goal scorer (296) in county history. She also elevated the perception of talent in the local public school ranks.
Dorney went on to play and start for three years at the University of Maryland, where she led the Terrapins in scoring (28 goals, 17 assists) during her senior year.
"When she signed there they were coming off a run of seven consecutive national championships," Ries said. "It was the real thing. The Terps were ranked No. 1. ... That verified the hype because she was playing ahead of people from Pennsylvania and Annapolis. It really put [Montgomery County] on the map."
Dorney was also named to the Gazette All-Decade field hockey team.
M Alex Aust, Bullis '09
Three-sport standout tallied 74 goals senior year, earned lacrosse scholarship to Maryland.
A Erica Baumgartner, Good Counsel '06
Arguably Falcons' most offensively gifted player over the past decade. Plays at Boston University.
M Amie Biros, Whitman '03
Former Brown player was heart and soul of Vikings' state tournament teams in early part of decade.
M Claire Bordley, Holton-Arms '04
2004 Player of the Year was member of 2003 U.S. U-19 squad; was named team captain at Virginia.
M Kaitlin Duff, Stone Ridge '06
Guided Gators to first-ever ISL AA championship game; holds Gators single-season goal-scoring mark (101).
D Lauren Fenlon, Good Counsel '07
Formerly member of U.S. U-19 National Team, Falcon stalwart now plies trade at Notre Dame.
C Lane Fogarty, Holton-Arms '01
High School All-American recorded 54 points during senior year; went on to play at Duke.
M Lucy Hayes, Holton-Arms '08
Panthers' career leading scorer earned All-American honors before continuing career at North Carolina.
D Maggie Hayes, Holton-Arms '00
2000 Gazette Co-Player of the Year was lockdown defender for county's best squad; attended Georgetown.
M Dina Jackson, Bullis '09
Four-year starter was Bulldogs' top draw-controller and scorer (77 goals) as senior; plays at Georgetown.
A Tyler Leachman, Holton-Arms '02
Former Virginia star set two Montgomery County records with 114 goals as senior, 313 all told.
A Jacqueline Orona, Poolesville '07
Ohio State University player stands as Falcons' all-time scoring leader (210 goals, 82 assists).
M Ashley Stodter, Good Counsel '07
Prep All-American recorded well over 200 points during final two campaigns; attends UMBC.
G Sonja Stuart, Good Counsel '05
Stopped 77 percent of shots during Falcons' second of six consecutive WCAC titles.
Softball
Player of the Decade: P Dana Ward, Sherwood '07
As the old adage goes, you've either you've got it or you don't.
Dana Ward had it, naturally.
Though she had never pitched before entering high school, she decided as a freshman that she wanted to give it a shot. A year later, she was dominating opposing batters.
"Psychologically, she gave her team an advantage just by warming up," former Paint Branch coach Maura Ryan said. "I had a pretty good team, and days before we played Sherwood, the girls would already be talking about facing Dana Ward."
Ward's lanky 5-foot-7 frame was built for pitching. She was a power pitcher but her natural lefty spin added tremendous movement as well.
She was the fastest pitcher of her time and had a nasty riser that baffled even the county's best hitters.
Splitting time between the pitcher's circle and first base as a sophomore, Ward racked up 96 strikeouts and finished with an 0.79 earned-run average.
In 2006, the southpaw crushed Sherwood's single-season strikeout record with 256, holding opponents to a .066 batting average, including 12 shutouts, eight no-hitters and a perfect game. Ward tallied 243 strikeouts and 16 shutouts in 2007, leading the Warriors to their first state-tournament appearance since 1984.
C Kat Ager, Good Counsel '04
Reliable, rifle-armed backstop hit .518 with 6 home runs, 31 runs batted in as senior.
C Allison Gost, Poolesville '08
Threw out 22 runners in final two years, went on 12-game hitting streak at one point to boost offense.
OF Chrysanthi Halkiotis, Sherwood '04
Magnet in center field batted .529 during junior, senior years before playing at George Washington.
P Brooke Hughes, Magruder '02
Shutdown pitcher struck out 434 batters en route to consecutive state appearances in 2001-02.
P-1B Rachel Jacobs, Watkins Mill '04
Dynamic multidimensional player was cornerstone of team's back-to-back regional titles in 2003-04.
1B Candice Jones, Springbrook '00
Boasted .515 batting, .982 fielding percentages; led Blue Devils to only regional title in 13 years.
2B Amanda Kibbe, Gaithersburg '07
Flashy field player boasted unimaginable power for small frame, pacing team offensively.
C Katie Obal, Sherwood '07
Few dared to run on her; did not allow any passed balls in 2007 while hitting .667.
3B Gabby Reckendorf, Watkins Mill '03
2003 Gazette Player of the Year was integral factor in team's success in early part of decade.
3B Ellen Smith, Damascus '07
Huge offensive threat was also defensive cornerstone who rarely made mistakes at third.
SS Reilly Ward, Sherwood '03
Highly feared when at plate; possessed cannon arm and could play wherever needed.
P Jessica Wides, Damascus '01
Mixed speeds well; did not give up single regular-season run en route to state tournament in 2000.
1B Nicole Wilson, Damascus '00
Superb range, rocket arm stood out on team of standouts; played Division I ball at Massachusetts.
SS Taylor Wyatt, Damascus '09
Slugger set state record for career home runs with 22, wasn't too shabby with glove on, either.
Boys tennis
Player of the Decade: Jared Pinsky, Churchill '07
Usually, it's the coach's job to give his player advice on changeovers. But Jared Pinsky was always a step ahead.
"It was a great thing for me because I just had to reinforce what he already wanted to do; it wasn't something new," Churchill coach Ben Woods said of his four-time Gazette Player of the Year. "He would be behind in matches and we would have a talk at the fence and he would just explain to me what he was going to do and how he was going to break the points down. ... It was a matter of what I could tell him that he hadn't already worked on or prepared himself for."
At just 5-foot-9, Pinsky didn't possess the same firepower as most of his competitors. He was a cerebral player who countered opponents' size with his ability to work a point better than anyone.
Additionally, he had the type of game that drives people crazy. Pinsky was relentlessly consistent at the baseline but could uncork a big lefty forehand when he needed to. He would exploit opponents' weaknesses until they had nothing left.
Pinsky won three state titles and is in his junior season at Duke University.
Will Beck, Bullis '07
Six-foot-3 frame generated much power; compiled 59-6 record from 2005-07 with two Ben Johns titles.
Chris Goodwin, Rockville '08
Deep shot arsenal led to county, regional, state titles in 2008, when he lost just one set.
Michael Goodwin, R. Montgomery '05
Had every shot in book; used them wisely to win three regional titles, 2003 state tournament.
Juan Jaysingh, Georgetown Prep '00
Went 16-0 senior year to lead team to first IAC title since 1972; won No. 1 singles title at Ben Johns.
Timmy Klanke, Whitman '09
Won No. 2 singles county titles in 2006, 07; monstrous serve, forehand earned state title in 2009.
Jeff Luse, Whitman '05
Constant at top of county tennis scene, won boys doubles state titles with two different partners.
Farhat Muhawi, Landon '04
Current professional tennis player Treat Huey was only obstacle during dominant junior, senior years.
Jason Pinsky, Churchill '04
State champion in 2001 abandoned school play to focus on national tournaments junior, senior years.
Dan Stahl, Whitman '07
Became only county player to beat Jared Pinsky from 2005-07 en route to No. 1 singles county title and state final.
Boys track and field
Athlete of the Decade: Chris Moen, 1,600 meters, Walter Johnson '08
That Chris Moen broke his own county meet record in the spring of 2008 was impressive enough. The real story is everything that came in between.
As a sophomore in the spring of 2006, he set the county's 1,600-meter standard for the first time, in 4 minutes, 15.90 seconds, and won the state title. He moved onto the national stage during the 2006-07 indoor season, becoming one of the country's top high-school milers.
Two months later, he was not even running 1,600 meters any more.
"I wasn't feeling it," Moen said in 2008. "When I had the crazy indoor season, I wasn't really looking to outdoor to do anything."
Moen shifted focus to the 800, where he was second team All-Gazette, and 4x800 relay, continuing to produce for the Wildcats. Running the shorter distance also improved his speed. What looked from the outside like a breakdown was in fact a step along the right path.
"It was a hard short-term plan ... because so many people were looking at him and me, and saying, ‘What's wrong with Chris?'" Walter Johnson coach Tom Martin said at the time. "But it was a good long-term plan for him. It was the best thing for him."
By the spring of his senior season, Moen was back and better than ever. He ran 4:13.05 at the county meet, breaking his own record by nearly 3 full seconds, and capped his career with a second state championship.
As a freshman at Appalachian State (N.C.) University, Moen won the Southern Conference Indoor Championship in the mile (4:11.08) and ran 1,500 meters in 3:55.85 during outdoor season. He also runs cross country.
Damon Hill, 100 meters, Gaithersburg '02
Set county meet record (10.52) that still stands, won states to help Trojans to 2002 4A team title.
Byron Gibson, 200 meters, Gaithersburg '02
Another 2002 Gaithersburg sprinter, another county meet record no runner has broken since (21.49).
Bryan Steele, 400 meters, Gaithersburg '02
Completes set. Won counties, regionals; third at states with county's best time this decade (48.2).
Wil Zahorodny, 800 meters, Damascus '08
Steady career exploded in amazing senior year. County meet record-breaking run (1:51.15) something to see.
Solomon Haile, 3,200 meters, Sherwood '09
Not only broke 35-year-old state meet record in 9:06.13, but won four national titles for good measure.
Ron Frazier, 110 hurdles, Gaithersburg '00
Won 2000 state title in blistering 14.15, near half-second better than runner-up. Once hand-timed in 13.7.
Joey Robinson, 300 hurdles, Gaithersburg '05
Ran county's fastest time of decade (38.52) in final race, but only good for state runner-up finish.
Kelvin Bright, high jump, Blake '05
Better known for basketball, but won state title clearing 6-foot-8, after sailing over 6-10 at regionals.
Jay Colbert, long jump, Gaithersburg '00
Co-Athlete of the Year with Frazier, took county-best flight of 22-6 at regionals, third at states (21-8).
Marcus Willacy, triple jump, Paint Branch '09
Saved best, by far, for last: Set new 3A state meet record by soaring 47-9.75, decade's best county jump.
Sean Stanley, shot put, Gaithersburg '09
All-Gazette first teamer five times in this event; only thrower this decade to break 60-foot barrier.
Marcus Brown, discus, Quince Orchard '09
Improved over career to point of setting new county meet record (167-4), winning state title (171-6).
Chris Stark, pole vault, Springbrook '00
Who else? In nine years since, nobody did it better; cleared 15-0 at invitational, won states at 14-0.
Girls track and field
Athlete of the Decade: Audrey Gariepy-Bogui, high jump, Churchill '07
There was no official clock on Audrey Gariepy-Bogui's 100-meter dash from the high jump to the 300-meter hurdle starting line at the 2007 county championship meet. For all anyone knows, it might have been her fifth record of that day.
"The previous year for counties she had been sick and could only compete in two events," said her jumps coach, Dave Warren. "I think her goal for that day was actually just not to get sick. ... She ended up going out and breaking four records. Maybe that was in her mind, but she wasn't telling me that, or anyone else."
The day Gariepy-Bogui set four county meet records, she locked up girls track and field Athlete of the Year. She won the first and last events of that day, and in between, set records in the high jump (having already secured the win) and 300 hurdles in the span of about two minutes.
Two weeks later, she lowered her own personal best in two of those events and won three state titles, removing all doubt as to the identity of the Athlete of the Decade.
"Like any coach or athlete will tell you, it was hard work," Warren said. "My favorite memories are just being the last two people at practice all the time, putting away the high jump mats and talking track, life ... whatever."
Gariepy-Bogui still owns three of the decade's top performances by a female athlete: the 100-meter high hurdles (13.77 seconds), 300 intermediate hurdles (43.66) and high jump (5 feet, 9 ½ inches).
Injuries have plagued her career at Villanova (Pa.) University, where she is a junior, but Warren said she is training during the winter indoor season to make an impact this spring.
Tenesha Hill, 100 meters, Gaithersburg '05
Won four gold medals each at counties, regionals senior year, took 4A state 100 in 11.97 seconds.
Katie Wolf, 200 meters, Churchill '10
Overshadowed for three years by teammates, rivals, could this be year for first state championship?
Olivia Ekponé, 400 meters, Northwest '11
Athlete of the Year, state champion each of first two years, set county meet record (54.61) in 2008.
Leslie Morrison, 800 meters, Whitman '08
Ran personal best (2:14.02) in amazing 4A state championship run as junior after falling at start.
Morgane Gay, 1,600 meters, Whitman '08
No one could touch her junior year, when she swept county, regional (decade-best 4:55.27), state titles.
Halsey Sinclair, 3,200 meters, Blair '07
First team each of four years, winning state title as freshman, running top time (11:01.3) as junior.
Erika Zoller, 100 hurdles, Damascus '05
Two-time first teamer finished second at 2004 states (14.8), earned track scholarship to Iowa State.
Laura Shaw, 300 hurdles, Walter Johnson '03
Won back-to-back state titles in 43.9 (2002), 44.3 (2003), helping Wildcats to '03 team championship.
Toni Aluko, long jump, Paint Branch '04
ACC high jump champion at Maryland set standards Gariepy-Bogui broke; won '03 states with leap of 18-9.
Arielle Statham, triple jump, Paint Branch '09
Senior year saw championship meet sweep, county meet record (38-6), decade-best mark (40-4) at states.
Ashley Fauntleroy, shot put, Paint Branch '04
Finished second in state with 39-foot throw after heaving decade-best 40-6 earlier in senior season.
Arleigh Rose, discus, Sherwood '08
Won county, regionals in shot and disc as senior, second in both at states. Her 124-6 is decade's best.
Liz Calhoun, pole vault, Wootton '08
Set county meet record (9-0) in 2007; soared to personal, decade-best 9-6 at states following year.
