LANDOVER — For senior shot putter Ke’yare Hawkins, the third time was the charm.
Making her third straight appearance in the Class 1A state indoor track championships, Hawkins won her first-ever medal Feb. 17.
She is the first Kent County High School female to medal at the indoor state championships since Katie Stevenson ’00 won four individual titles [800 twice, 1600 and 3200 meters] in her KCHS hall of fame career, and the only KCHS female to medal at states in an indoor field event.
[In 2024, senior Larry Steward won gold in the high jump in a Class 1A state record of 6 feet, 4.25 inches and then-sophomore Rah Zir Wilson took bronze.]
Hawkins brought home silver in an epic effort, adding 10 inches to the previous school record she set in 2024 when she won the first of her two region titles.
Joining Hawkins at states was Pacome Mennetrier, who is attending KCHS for the 2025-26 academic year as an exchange student from Brittany, France.
Mennetrier placed 10th in the 800 meters, after qualifying as the region runner-up.
He stopped the timer in 2 minutes, 11.92 seconds — 1.6 seconds off his personal best achieved at regionals.
Coach Steve Wheeler said Hawkins and Mennetrier “proudly represented KCHS at the state level” and their “performances reflect outstanding effort.”
Hawkins was at her very best at the state meet with a second-place throw of 36 feet, 1.75 inches. This was way better than the 33-9.5 she threw as the Class 1A East Region winner on Feb. 6, and eclipsed her previous school record of 35-3.25 set two years ago.
The Class 1A state championship meet was held at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, which also was the venue for the region championships two weeks earlier.
There were 12 state qualifiers in the shot put. Each was given three throws in the preliminary round, with the top seven competitors moving on to the finals.
Each finalist had another three throws.
Hawkins’ first throw was her best, and she led until the fourth round when Catoctin freshman Kaila Jones hit a PR of 36-11.75, which is among the best throws in the nation this indoor season.
The three medal winners — Jones, Hawkins and Boonsboro sophomore Sarah Mohler (36-1.25) — all achieved personal bests.
Clear Spring junior Katelyn Moffitt (35-1.50) was fourth, followed by Boonsboro senior Sidney Turner (personal best of 35-1.0).
The next best throw was 31-00.75.
KCHS coach Wheeler said this about Hawkins: “Competing at the state level for as long as she has takes dedication and determination. Finishing as state runner-up is a significant achievement.”
