Tsedeke Jakovics, a standout distance runner from Old Mill High School, has been named the 2025 Capital Gazette Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year. This recognition caps an extraordinary high school career marked by numerous achievements, including four state championships and accolades that have established him as one of the premier athletes in the Baltimore area.
Jakovics first gained attention during his junior cross-country season in 2023. Since then, he has consistently led in prominent distance races, earning titles at county, regional, and state levels. His impressive record includes individual championships in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200-meter runs, as well as contributing to Old Mill’s success in the 4×800 relay. Reflecting on his accomplishments, Jakovics expressed, “This marks No. 10 of state titles. I’m just really happy I got to double digits.”
The award, which evaluates performances from the spring season, is a fitting tribute to Jakovics’s remarkable career. His journey began with a notable fifth-place finish at the Bull Run Invitational, where he improved his previous year’s time by nearly a minute and a half. He continued to excel, achieving a personal best of 15:45 at the Class 4A state championships, where he finished as the runner-up.
In the following indoor track season, Jakovics dominated the county distance races, winning titles in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 meters. He secured a 4A state title in the 800 and was the runner-up in the 1,600. “It’s crazy. I wasn’t expecting it my junior year, but now I am [a state champion],” he remarked after earning his first state gold.
Jakovics carried his momentum into the spring, clinching additional county titles in the 800 and 1,600, as well as another state championship in the 800. His final season concluded with a spectacular performance at the 3A state meet, where he won the 3,200 meters and anchored the 4×800 relay team to victory. Two days later, he secured wins in both the 800 and 1,600 meters, marking a triumphant end to his high school career.
“It’s been a journey for sure,” Jakovics stated. “When I first started, I was nowhere near thinking I’d even get one state title; now I got 10.”
Coach of the Year Honors
Stacy Severtson, the head coach at Crofton High School, has been recognized as the 2025 Capital Gazette Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. Since the school’s opening in Fall 2020, Severtson has played a pivotal role in establishing the track and field program, navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic during the 2021 spring season.
Starting with a fresh team of mostly inexperienced athletes, Severtson focused on building a solid foundation. “It was difficult starting up, starting over COVID, too,” she recalled. “We didn’t have upperclassmen to go through drills, but then we didn’t have any bad habits to erase.” Over five seasons, she has transformed Crofton into a competitive force in the state, with athletes who have embraced her vision.
Under Severtson’s guidance, the boys’ team achieved significant milestones this year, winning the Anne Arundel County championship by 57 points and the 4A East Region title by 84 points. Their impressive performance included victories at the Kayley Milor Twilight Meet, Gator Invitational, and the Golliday Invitational. Despite lacking a standout athlete capable of dominating events, the team demonstrated remarkable depth and balance.
“That’s how we built our team from the beginning. We ask our kids to try everything,” Severtson noted. “This year we took probably the most kids we ever did to states, and it showed.”
All-County First Team Highlights
Several outstanding athletes from the area have also been recognized for their performances this season. Christian Doss, a sophomore from Crofton, emerged as a leading hurdler, winning county titles in the 110 and 300 hurdles. He finished third at the 4A state meet in both events.
Kofi Duro, a senior at Arundel, concluded his high school career with impressive results, including a 3A state championship in the long jump and a runner-up finish in the triple jump. Chege Kaba from Arundel also made his mark, clearing 6-5 to win the high jump at the county championships.
Wesley Meran-Henson from Meade showcased his talent by winning the county outdoor championship in the long jump with a personal best of 22-4 3/4. Adetoye Onyekaba, another senior from Crofton, excelled in the shot put, sweeping county titles in both indoor and outdoor championships.
These performances, along with those of other notable athletes like Eric Penkala, Thomas Polk, and Bryan Schaeffer, highlight the depth of talent in the region. Each athlete has contributed to a vibrant track and field community that continues to thrive and inspire future generations.
As the season concludes, the achievements of Tsedeke Jakovics and the Crofton track program stand as a testament to dedication, hard work, and the pursuit of excellence in athletics.
