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If it seemed like Thomas Johnson High's Stephanie Bryan was racing against herself Saturday at the Monocacy Valley Athletic League Chesapeake Conference meet, it's because she was.

Breezing to wins in the girls' 1,600 and 3,200 meters, Bryan helped the Patriots come out on top at Hagerstown Community College.

"I'm excited," she said. "This is the meet that gets me really excited for the rest of the races."

At times Bryan appeared to be enjoying a leisurely stroll. She warmed up by bettering her nearest finisher in the 1,600 by an imposing 16 seconds (5:16.46 to 5:32.30) before unleashing complete and utter destruction during the 3,200, which she took by over a minute (11:24.55 to 12:35.23).

Posting 143 and 111 points respectively, TJ took first in both the boys and girls portion of the meet. In addition to Bryan, the Patriots got individual wins from Emily Vannoy (shot put) and Erick Artusio (pole vault) while also capturing the boys' 4 x 200 and 4 x 800 as well as girls 4 x 800 relays.

"I felt on the boys side we definitely had a real good chance," TJ head coach Nick Snyder said. "I know we have a lot of weapons. The girls, it was definitely nice to win too. I had a feeling it was going to be pretty close between our girls, Linganore and North Carroll."

Though less time in the making, the performance of Tuscarora's Dominic Clarke was no less impressive. Grinding out wins in both the 300 and 500, the Titans' senior anchored his squad to victory in the 4 x 400.

"It feels good," Clarke said. "But time-wise I still have to work on a lot if I want [to win] states, because that's the goal."

Frederick's Brady Wilson and Tuscarora's Victoria Kennedy claimed the title of the Chesapeake's fastest man and woman in their respective 55-meter dashes.

"I seem to get better the more I run," Wilson said.

Linganore swept both 800s, thank to wins from Ricky Conner and Bridget Nolan. The Lancers also got a victory from Richard Graham in high jump. Tuscarora's John Steindardt grabbed first in the 55 hurdles while Urbana's Sarah Lueck claimed the pole vault. Linganore finished second in both the girls and boys portions of the event with 92 and 86.5, respectively.

Calling Saturday evening's MVAL Piedmont meet a "wake up call," Middletown head coach Frank Davis and his girls' squad reeled off a dream performance in earning 106 points and the conference crown

"It was okay, Davis said. "We've tried a lot of new things during the season."

Graduation took its toll on the defending Class 2A state champions. Throughout the current campaign, Davis has been forced to fidget with his lineup, often installing team members in races with which they were unaccustomed.

"This season has been different because we've had to move a lot of runners around," Davis said.

One of those who Davis relocated was Brittany Claude, who won the 800 but garnered what her coach regarded as equally notable second in her new endeavor, the 1,600. Davis said she should be a force in both events by the end of the year.

The Knights' Jenna Claude claimed the 300 and 500. Kathryn Papuchis (55 hurdles), Sarah Wreiden (high jump), Alley Hemme (pole vault) and Melissa Shirley (shot put) all placed first for the victors.

In the boys competition, Walkersville's Jose Depadua won the 55 with teammates Stephen Keith and Jon Hill taking the 1,600 and shot put, respectively. Middletown's Will Bell pole vaulted his way to victory while fellow Knight Nick Aldana captured the hurdles. Winters Mill won the boys team competition.