Maryland WR Justin DeVaughn named Baltimore Sun Athlete of the Year, competing at New Balance Nationals this weekend

Ahmed Ghafir
7 days ago
2 min read

One week after enrolling in the program, Maryland WR Justin DeVaughn drew his latest accolade in track and field after being named the Baltimore Sun Athlete of the Year on Saturday.

Devaughn, a 6-foot, 160-pound two-sport athlete out of Mervo (Md.), netted three gold medals, one silver medal while leading Mervo boys track & field to a Class 4A state championship.

“It means a lot, I’m not going to lie. It’s been a long journey for real for our team, a lot of ups and downs. I’m glad we went out with a bang for my last year,” DeVaughn told The Sun after the state championships. “I haven’t held one of those trophies in a long time. We always came up short. My freshman year we came up second in indoor, second place again my 10th grade year. This year we all came together and got the job done.”

DeVaughn’s blazing speed was obvious well before he made his commitment to Maryland after posting a personal-best 13.91 in the 110-meter hurdle as a junior, but he’ll end his time at Mervo as a three-time state champion.

In attendance at New Balance Nationals this weekend, DeVaughn posted a 14.06-second time in the 110-meter hurdles to qualify for the semifinals at 3:28 PM.

DeVaughn, who was among the double-digit mid-June enrollees, heads to College Park with a chance to become a two-sport athlete after spending time with Terps’ track and field head coach Andrew Valmon during his official visit last summer.

“I talked to them for a bit. That was the first time I got to get in contact with them. We had a good conversation. He answered all the questions I had for him so I’m all set,” he told IBG at the time.

Former assistant Josh Gattis led the way as Maryland topped Minnesota among others as DeVaughn became one of the first commits during official visit season in the 2025 class.

"I got on the phone with coach Locks this morning, that Sunday morning call," he told IBG. "All I could think about was how they made me feel a part of their family and how everybody appreciated me for coming. I felt comfortable with the coaches. Everything was perfect and they showed me they really want me there. And I went for it. It's business."

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