Melrose takes silver at States; Reilly Powell earns gold
By JENNIFER GENTILE
N. ANDOVER—It’s been a historical season for the MHS girls’ outdoor track team this spring. Not only has Melrose swept the ML league to earn a Freedom title, they also became state relay champions last month. And as a finale, on May 24 they crowned an individual state champion and took home silver at the 2025 MIAA Div. 4 State Finals at Merrimack College.
With 68 points, Melrose placed second among 32 teams only behind winner Amherst Pelham. This is the second time since 2021 that Melrose has earned silver at States and according to head coach Shannon Kane, it’s even sweeter the second time around.
“This time it feels more special,” she says. “The girls are so nice and funny until they get on the track and then they are fierce and competitive. They will not take less than their best as an answer.”
Much of that came on the great work and points generated by their many medal winners, which included Melrose High sophomore Reilly Powell, who became state champion in the 2 mile with a personal best time of 11:10.15. She also placed fourth in the 1 mile. She qualified for the elite All States (Meet of Champions) for her work.
“It feels pretty good and a little shocking,” said Powell after her victory. “I went into the race wanting to PR and stick with the girls who were seeded ahead of me. I mentally prepared myself for third because that’s the hardest part of the 2 mile in my opinion.”
“Reilly is so talented,” says her coach. “She’s not afraid to take the lead in a race or go all out early, even if she knows it’s going to be painful. She knows that finishing big takes big risks. Even when races don’t go her way, she learns and comes back stronger. The sky is the limit for Reilly. I’m excited to see what’s in store for her next year.”
And with two more years ahead, Powell has personally set her sights on additional goals. “I’d like to run a 10:55 in the two mile and break 5 minutes by my senior year,” says the runner.
Powell was joined by a handful of teammates who also collected medals, including senior Emme Boyer, who had a fantastic day and advanced to All States by medaling in 3rd in the discus and second in shot put.
Melrose’s relay teams also helped secure the win. Their 4×100 team of Ella Walsh, Nia West, Lara McLucas and Sofia Papatsoris earned a silver medal, and their 4×800 team of Ella Yorkey, Cadence L’Heureux, Reilly Powell and Nora McCormack placed third for bronze, which has helped them advance to the New Balance Nationals at the end of the month. Additionally, their 4×400 team of Emma Drago, Katie Leeman, Abby Taylor and Cadence L’Heureux medaled in 6th.
Melrose saw field events dominate thanks to fantastic work in the javelin by Olivia DellaPorta and Aisling Donegan, who medaled in third and fourth respectively, while punching a ticket to All States along with Cadence L’Heureux, who medaled in the long jump. Freshman Amelia Kelley put her name on the map by competing and medaling in the Pentathlon, which included an impressive 3rd place finish in the long jump, while also competing in the 100 hurdles.
Melrose also nailed the one mile with work from Powell, medalist Nora McCormack, and teammates Naomi Breay and Mazie Frakt. Lara McLucas earned a medal in the 200 dash with a 5th place finish and also qualified and competed in the 100 dash. Overall, those who qualified to compete at States thanks to their hard work over the season were Sofia Papatsoris (100 hurdles) Ella Walsh (200, 100 dash) , Abby Taylor (400 hurdles) Naomi Breay in the 1 mile and 2 mile, Emma Drago (400 meter, 800) Katie Leeman (400 meter) Ella Yorkey in the 800.
Coach Kane was so thrilled with this team’s silver medal performance. “All the hard work since 2021 has paid off. The girls were so proud of themselves and their teammates. And as coaches, we couldn’t be more proud,” says coach Kane.
Just a week later they sent 8 athletes to the elite Meet of Champions (All States) at Fitchburg State College, held on June 5. There, they competed against all the division’s top medalists. Senior standout Emme Boyer earned two medals in her field events, including an All State silver medal in the shot put, and a fifth place finish in discus, topping off an exceptional high school track career. She was joined by teammates Aislin Donegan, Olivia Dellaporta, Lara McLucas, Reilly Powell, Cadence L’Heureux and the 4×800 relay team Nora McCormack, Ella Walsh, L’Heureux and Powell, who cracked the top ten with a 9th place finish.
“Emme is just a beast,” says coach Kane on her field star. “She has been so good under pressure this season. And she is one of my first athletes going to New England’s this weekend. Her motivation and determination to be the best has been critical to our team’s success. Her teammates look up to her and are in awe of her.”