THE WMHS boys’ cross country and track and field teams brought their most recent state trophies to the Massachusetts State House yesterday where Kate Lipper-Garabedian hosted them for a tour and some lunch. The Warriors are preparing for their outdoor season, which begins against Stoneham on Saturday, 2 p.m. at Burlington High. (Courtesy Photo)
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield High boys’ outdoor track and field team has been working hard the last two weeks preparing for the 2023 season.
“We have some returning athletes from last year’s state championship team but we also have a few new kids that should help the team in all events,” said head coach Ruben Reinoso.
The Warriors are led by their captains this year, Ben Stratton, Spencer Little, Leith Jones, Robby Hagopian and Lucas Kehoe.
“Our goals are always the same every year, we want to work hard and improve every practice and meet,” said Reinoso.
Coaching with Reinoso will be Perry Pappas (distance), Krista Coufos (hurdles and sprints) and Alex Bonitto (throwing events and pole vault).
In the distance and middle distance events, a bunch of athletes competed at states this winter and will look to improve on that success.
Senior captain Ben Stratton and juniors Michael Arria, Liam Taggart and William Mezikofsky will focus mostly on the 800 meters and the 1 mile.
Newcomers, sophomore Ethan Mezikofsky and junior Brendan Campea joined the team this Winter and are back this Spring.
Senior captain Leith Jones, junior Ollie Polster, sophomores Andrew Nett, and Brandon Nett will compete in the 1 mile and 2 mile.
Sophomore Brody Wyatt will focus on the 400 meters and 400 meter hurdles but will also compete in the 800 meters.
In the throwing events, captain Robby Hagopian will compete in the shot put and discus, while captain Spencer Little will compete in the Javelin. Junior Joe Patt has proven to be one of the most versatile athletes in the state and he can compete in all throwing events, sprinting events and jumping events.
In the sprinting events, Wakefield returns captain Lucas Kehoe, Jaden Blake, Ryan Tracy and Anthony Arria. Brian Casey is new to outdoor track and he will help the team in the sprinting events as well.
In the jumping events, the Warriors return Kehoe, senior Anthony Arria, Will Riley, Ryan Tracy and freshman Aidan Jones.
Other athletes that have impressed in practice so far in the sprinting and jumping events are newcomer-senior John Faulkner, junior Ethan Gori and sophomores Adam Levy, Henry Brown and Sean Callanan.
Wakefield opens up their season against Stoneham this Saturday in Burlington at 2 p.m.