By JENNIFER GENTILE
BOSTON—The Melrose High indoor track teams more than held their own at the 2022 Middlesex League Championship held on Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. Several athletes ended up on podiums and a slew of personal bests were recorded.
On the boy’s side, Melrose saw some top performances in distance running with a bronze medal awarded to Gabe Buffonge in the 55 hurdles with a time of 8.25. Russell O’Donnell placed 6th in the 600, earning a personal best along with the way. Brother Sam O’Donnell followed in 10th.
Senior captain Ryan Cotugno also medaled with a 6th place finish in the 1000, and teammate Ellis lurilli-Hough hit the podium with a 5th place finish in the 2 mile with a personal best. Senior Will Dugan also had a personal best and placed 7th in the 1 mile, while teammate Caleb Barnes finished 12th.
Melrose showed strength in the 300 with Matt Whelan (13th) and Trentyn Hodges in 15th. Whelan also excelled in the long jump with a 18’06, good enough for tenth while teammate Hodges finished 17th. Melrose’s relay 4×400 relay team also had a nice showing thanks to the work of Sam O’Donnell, Russell O’Donnell, Will Dugan and Ryan Cotugno.
Melrose finished 8th among all Middlesex teams.
Girls team earn some hardware
The girls team enjoyed a strong day and placed 8th overall as well. Top performances came from Anna Mackey, who earned bronze in the 1000 with a time of 3:06, and Melrose’s strong 4×400 relay team of Charlotte Tysall, Kate Sikkema, Autumn Whelan and Anna Mackey. Charlotte Tysall also found the podium thanks to a 4th place finish in the mile. Two Melrose runners cracked the top ten in the 600: Kate Sikkema (7th) and Autumn Whelan (10th).
Julia McAree also medaled with a 6th place finish in the high jump. Jillian Bakey placed 7th in the 2 mile and D’Mitra Mukasa had a nice 8th place finish in the 55 meter. Meghan Radzick represented in the long jump and 300, along with sophomore Amy Rowe. In the one mile, sophomore Darby Thompson had a personal best of 6:15 and freshman Maizie Frakt had a strong 9th place finish in the 1000.
On Saturday, both teams will compete in the annual Last Chance To Qualify Meet at Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. On the horizon will be States that begin starting Feb. 16 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. Stay tuned.