DEVENS—The Melrose High boys’ cross-country team ventured to Devens, MA to participate in the Bay State Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 7 and had some great performances over the wet, hilly course.
Sophomore Adam Caldwell led the way with a time of 17:23, with a medal worthy place of 21st.
John Strong followed with a time of 17:52 for 32nd. Jonah Tully also broke the 18-minute mark with a time of 17:54 for 34th place. Ben Dugan ran 18:52 and Jad Jamaleddine and Billy Oldham both finished in 19:00.
Also running well were Henry McCormack, 19:21, Matt Samoski, 19:45, Anderson Ji, 20:06, Emerson Blanchard, 20:10, Andre Bancu 20:21, Frost Drogan, 22:20, Grady Kamosa, 23:20, Liam Pham, 28:29, and Bennet McvGravey-Van Lauwe, 31:28.
Coach Kevin Allison saw the meet as another step closer to where they want to be. “The team ran hard in the wet conditions and we had some major improvements in this meet. We have had 4 runners break the 18-minute mark this season. If we can get at least 2 more runners in the 17s we will have a decent shot at getting back to this Devens course for the state final.”
The team has come off two shutout victories over Watertown and Stoneham, but did not have a home meet this week. The victories helped get the team ranked in the top 15 among the 98 teams in Division 2. Melrose ventures to the Cape on Friday for The Twilight Meet.