Post-publication update: Melrose falls to Winchester 31-25 (Sept. 10)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High boy’s cross country team returns to their 2025 season on Wednesday (post deadline) with a road trip to Woburn’s Horn Pond to take on Winchester, one year after the team nearly taking the Freedom League.
They return ready to pick up where they left off. Melrose lost one star runner (Caleb Barnes) but bring back lots of experienced talent, which should see Melrose in the thick of it against league rivals.
“We have a lot of quality in our top few runners, so we believe we can be competitive as long as everyone stays healthy,” reports second year coach Alex Derosa.
They will be led by talented upperclassmen Ben Dugan, John Strong, and Henry McCormack. They will help lead a team that includes six seniors: Anderson Ji, Lam Pham, Ben Dugan, Henry McCormack, John Strong, and Daniel Teittinen.
Melrose has a roster of 26 runners, including many promising new runners. Coming into the season Melrose has a solid top 4 in John Strong, Henry McCormack, Ben Dugan, and Daniel Teittinen. “They are expected to be very competitive.”
Melrose took part in the MSTCA Relays over the weekend, a perfect primer for their upcoming dual meet season.
“We had an encouraging performance,” says the coach. “Sophomores Elliot Barber, Luke McAndrew, and Joey Coughlin medaled in the freshman/sophomore category. John Strong and Henry McCormack medaled in their co-ed race, and our top senior team was poised to medal with only 20% of the race remaining, but they were called off the course due to lightning.”
Mother Nature will more generous this week and it’s clear skies ahead for Melrose, whose goal will no doubt be a sweep of the Middlesex Freedom League. “I expect the league to bring its usual high caliber competition,” says Derosa. “The early part of the season is about training smart and avoiding injury, so that we can be at our best when it counts later in the season. We’re also focused on supporting the new runners, and hopefully instilling in them a lasting passion for the sport. The future of the program depends on our ability to attract more athletes.”