After press time: Melrose defeats Stoneham 109-27 (April 30)
Published May 2, 2025
Girls’ track team off to a flying 2-0 start
In good shape to potentially take Freedom League
By JENNIFER GENTILE
WOBURN—The Melrose High girls outdoor track team is off to an unbeaten start this spring after a convincing 98-38 win over rival Wakefield that has them 2-0 on the season.
It was an outstanding day for their hurdles and jumping teams which saw fine, first place action from Lara McLucas and Cadence L’Heuruex. McLucas topped the entire Middlesex League with her time of 12.9 in the 100m, a personal record. And L’Heureux was a multi-threat in numerous races and field events, beating Wakefield in first place finishes in the 400m, long jump, and 800m.
Melrose also swept the triple jump thanks to efforts by Emme Boyer, Emma Drago and Madison Bencal in that order.
Melrose’s 4×100 relay team of Madison Bencal, Lara McLucas, Abby Taylor and Ella Walsh swept the field, topping all ML competition. It was also a strong day overall for Ella Walsh, who placed second in the 100m, besting Wakefield, and doing the same in the 200m. Melrose senior captain Sofia Papatsoris also placed first in the 100m hurdles with teammate Katherine Kennedy in third.
Melrose also had a great day in distance running, sweeping the 2-mile over Wakefield thanks to the running of Reilly Powell, Maizie Frakt and Naomi Breay. Melrose also edged the Warriors in the 1 mile behind the work of Reilly Powell, Nora McCormack and Mazie Frakt.
The girls also showed depth in the 400m, with top showings by Emma Drago, Katie Leeman and Lara McLucas. Abby Taylor also earned points for Melrose with a 2nd place finish in the 400. Ella Yorkey had a strong day in the 800 finishing second over Wakefield.
Field events were also strong as Melrose took a first place finish in the discus thanks to Emme Boyer. And Melrose swept the high jump courtesy of Sofia Papatsoris and Amelia Kelley. Aislin Donegan and Olivia Dellaporta placed first and second in the javelin. And Cadence L’Heureux and Amelia Kelley placed 1st and 3nd in the long jump.
And Melrose rounded up the day strongly in the 4×400 relay behind work of Ella Yorkey, Katie Leeman, Emma Drago and Nora McCormack.
At 2-0, Melrose has three more Freedom League contests ahead of them: Stoneham (1-1) Watertown (0-1) and Wilmington (0-1), which makes their first wins against Burlington and Wakefield all the more critical. Coming off a league-winning winter indoor season also bodes well for their league title quest.
But they will have to get past Stoneham this week. On Wednesday (post deadline) they will battle the Spartans before taking on the Watertown Raiders next Thursday. Stay tuned.