After press time: Melrose falls to Wakefield (April 17)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—As the Melrose High boy’s outdoor track team kicks off their season, they do so with the hope they will replicate their historic indoor winter season, which saw the team earn their first ever league title and qualify a slew of athletes to statewide and national competition.
While Mother Nature has been a challenge, Melrose was able to get in their first Middlesex League Meet against Burlington, a strong team that edged Melrose. Melrose looks to rebound this week when they square off against rival Wakefield on Wednesday (post deadline).
Returning this year is a big squad with lots of senior talent and promising youth. They are led by captains Brendan Radzik and Tyler Lecomte, two seniors who have had years of success under Melrose coach Tim Morris, including taking first and second in the 100 against the Red Devils last week. They will remain the team’s sprinters and long jumpers. Coach Morris reports, “The Burlington meet was a tough one, but we went 1-2 in the 100 with Brendan and Tyler Leconte. Raz ran an 11.25 on very cold very windy day. Tyler also took 2nd in the 200 meter.”
He was also pleased with the team’s efforts in distance against the Red Devils. “More veteran leadership came through in the distance and middle distance races,” he says. “Jonah Tully took 2nd place in the 800 and John Strong came in 3rd. Our workhorse Caleb Barnes in the mile and 2 mile he won them both!”
He also pointed out the strong work of teammates Ben Dugan and Henry McCormack, who helped lead to an event sweep. “Ben had a great race in the mile to place 2nd,” says the coach. “The 2-mile we were able to sweep with Caleb Barnes and Henry McCormack placing 2nd and, again, Dugan coming in third.”
Melrose’s Matt Sarnoski also ran a solid 2nd in the boys 400. And Charlie Finocchiaro placed second in the 110 hurdles.
One solid strength for Melrose will certainly be the high jump, consisting of many athletes who advanced to Nationals over the winter, including past state champ Sam Madden. “Our high jump crew of Sam Madden, Charlie Finocchiaro, Max Lanciani and Nick Vasallo will lead the way,” says the coach.
Giancarlo Martins-Torris is another big game athlete, according to Morris. “He will once again will be our upper classman in the hurdles, long and triple jump along with Jason Tang who jumped 20 feet in the long jump at Burlington,” he says.
Rounding out field events will be Keegan Maloney, Jack McAree and Emmanuel Guzman in the Disc, Shot Put and Javelin. “We also have some juniors who have shown improvement like Cole Nault, Graham Kreamer and Marcus Ruelle,” says the coach.
As for the competition, the league remains strong and it always seems to come down to Burlington and Wakefield vying against Melrose for the top spot in the Freedom League. Should Melrose top Wakefield this week, the hunt will be on. After an April vacation break, Melrose will next battle Stoneham on April 30 at Lexington High.