It’s been 40 years since the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association adopted the 800-meter run into its indoor state track and field program. Entering this season, only two runners had accomplished the distance “triple crown” — winning state championships in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200.
In February, Southern’s Eric Penkala became the third.
“He’s been consistent, he’s been competitive. He just trusts the process,” Southern coach Leon Tucker said. “The thing about Eric and his season, he just stuck with it.