By JENNIFER GENTILE
BOSTON—The Melrose High boys’ indoor track team is bringing home lots of hardware after a great outing at the Div. 2 Indoor Track and Field championship at Reggie Lewis Center in Boston.
Melrose crowned a state champion in the high jump in Sam Madden (see accompanying story) and a state silver medalist. They sent approximately 20 athletes in several running events, field events and relays.
It was an overall solid day for Melrose, who saw plenty of their athletes land on the podium. Standout senior captain Caleb Barnes had a terrific day, earning the silver medal in the 2-mile and 6th place in the mile. He will advance along with other teammates to All States this weekend.
Senior Adam Caldwell earned bronze in the 600 with a best time of 1:23.90 and will take his racing to All States this weekend. Teammate Brendan Radzik medaled in the 55 dash with a 6th place finish. John Strong was 8th in the 1000 and will continue his season at All States. And the team’s 4×400 relay team of Jack Kavanaugh, Jonah Tully, Matt Sarnoski and Adam Caldwell also medaled with a 7th place finish.
“Everyone wants immediate success but this team was built by determined athletes over the past four years,” says Melrose head coach Tim Morris. “The team, especially the seniors, were truly on a mission this year to do something special and win the league title for the first time in more than 50 years.”
Morris continues. “I remember talking to Tyler Lecomte in the fall and he confidently said ‘We’re going to win it all this winter in Indoor.’ I am very happy for the guys.”
Melrose will take their qualified athletes to All-States on February 22 at Reggie Lewis. There’s no telling how many medals they will earn there as the ceiling has grown higher and higher all season for these Middlesex Freedom League champs, and much of that has to do with senior experience and chemistry.
Says coach Morris, “We came close last year, but this season we had so many veterans, along with depth in multiple events that it put us over the top. This group demonstrated a strong work ethic and great team chemistry. Senior leadership was also a major factor to our success. Sam Madden, Caleb Barnes and Charlie Finocchiaro all overcame injuries and scored valuable team points all season.”