After press time: Melrose defeats Wakefield (April 17)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls outdoor track team kicked off their spring season with an impressive 87-49 win over Burlington on the road on April 8, and, at press time, were poised to battle arch rival Wakefield on April 16 to earn a distinctive edge in the ML Freedom League.
The team is coming off a strong winter season that saw them win the Freedom League, and send many runners and field event athletes to states and Nationals. Many of those athletes return, some for their final senior season, so it’s a bittersweet season for Melrose head coach Shannon Kane.
“We have a lot of similar athletes that came over from winter, but we lost a few to lacrosse. In return we received many good athletes from basketball, who have really filled in the holes and are helping our team be just as good, if not better, than we were in indoor,” says coach Kane.
Leading the team as captains this year are Cadence L’Heureux, Audrey Stegar-Wilson, Skylar Blanch, Sofia Papatsoris, & Catalina Mena. They join indoor captains Maizie Frakt and Kensington Ludlum and senior leaders Olivia Della Porta, Sophia Sullivan and Caroline Donohue. “They’ve really all stepped up and been huge help in their events,” says coach Kane.
Against the Red Devils on opening day, Melrose was simply dominant. They swept several events during, including the one-mile behind the work of winner Nora McCormack and teammates Mazie Frakt and Reilly Powell. Melrose also swept the long jump behind the legs of first place winner Cadence L’Heureux, and Amelia Kelley and Annikki Hall.
Melrose took the top two spots in the 800m behind the work of Ella Yorkey and Emma Drago. And Melrose prevailed in first and second in the 400 hurdles with winner L’Heureux and second place finisher Abby Taylor. Lara McLucas and Ella Walsh were 1-2 in the 100m and the two would repeat the same order in the 200m. Emme Boyer had fantastic work in field events with a first place finish in shot and discus. Sophia Papatsoris swept the field in the 100 hurdles and placed second in the high jump. In the two mile, Melrose placed a solid 2nd and 3rd behind the work of Naomi Breay and Kensington Ludlum. In the 400, Katie Leeman impressed by placing second.
Expect a big season for senior captain Cadence L’Heureux who is a state champion the 400 hurdles. “Cadence has had an amazing 4 years on our team. She really has come into her own this season. She is confident and willing to take more risks for herself and for the team. She knows that is the only way she can get better and improve her times. I hope she continues this growth and takes back her spot as D4 Hurdles Champion.”
Distance events will no doubt be a strength if the early work of runners Nora McCormack, Naomi Breay and Ella Yorkey is any indication. Senior distance runners Maizie Frakt and Kensington Ludlum have been great mentors. Says Kane, “They all trained hard during indoor and the off season and their efforts are paying off. They are very strong mentally and physically, which is what makes them so good.” Also early impressive efforts have included the hurdle work of Lara McLucas and Sophia Papatsoris. Says coach Kane, “Sophia had a rough season with injuries last year so it has been so great to see her come back so strong. She currently has the fastest hurdle time for small schools in the League. Lara also struggled with injuries last year but coming off of such a strong indoor season, her times have dropped immensely. I can’t wait to see what a powerhouse she is going to become this year.” But it may be field events that catapult Melrose to the top this season. A huge component of that has been the nationally-qualified work of senior Emme Boyer. Says the coach, “Field events are going to win us meets this season. Emme is holding us down in shot, discus, and triple jump. Aisling Donegan and Olivia Dellaporta are great at javelin and Olivia has shocked us by also dominating with Emme in shot. We have 4 girls long jumping over 15′, which is very hard to do, and it’s so early in the season. Hopefully they will be jumping well into the 16’s by the end of the season.”
With Melrose loaded with talent, there is a strong chance they could contend for a league title, earn medals at states and once again nationally-qualify. But first things first, they need to focus on their own league rivals.
“Burlington was tough so I am glad we beat them and they are past us,” says coach Kane. “Wakefield this week is going to be very difficult. We are very evenly matched in both distance and sprinting. I think field will be the deciding factor at this weeks meet. If we can beat Wakefield, we are one step closer to winning the League so it’s a very important meet.”
On April 30 they will battle Stoneham at Lexington High.