WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield High girls’ cross country team had one of their best performances in recent memory on Tuesday at their home course as they took the top four finishes to cruise past rival Melrose 20-35, moving to 2-0 on the season.
“History was made today,” said Wakefield head coach Karen Barrett. “First time in my 26 years that we shut out Melrose.”
Barrett went on to explain that a shutout in cross country is when your top 3 runners place 1-3. The scoring means that a top 3 finish gives you an automatic win as long as your 4th and 5th runners complete the race.
As it turned out for Wakefield, their top four finished before a Melrose runner crossed the line.
Sophomore Liza Bangston was the fastest Warrior with a time of 20:23. She was followed closely by junior Lily Sallee at 20:24. Senior captain Charlotte O’Neil was 3rd with a time of 20:35 and junior Grace Brackett made the shutout really official finishing 4th in 20:53.
“The Wakefield girls showed up to compete today,” said Barrett. “Big shoutout to Liza Bangston for winning her first cross country meet. She ran smooth and finished strong. I am really impressed with her ability to be a fierce competitor.
“Lily Sallee was right behind her with a great performance. Charlotte O’Neil and Grace Brackett both ran great and were part of our first sweep over Melrose. The girls pushed each other and it was a great result for their effort today.”
Senior captain Lexi Yianacopolus finished the scoring as Wakefield’s 5th runner with a 22:43.
The victory meant a lot to the Warriors and not just for their quest in going for a league title.
Before the meet, the team put a new sign up for Kelly’s Trail, in memory of Kelly Ledoux-Walsh. The trail, which is a major part of the cross country course at Wakefield High, was cleaned up and upgraded last weekend as the team prepared for their first home meet.
With the Ledoux-Walsh family on hand to support their Warriors, Wakefield made them proud.
“It made the race even more important to us,” said Barrett.
Wakefield will now train for another key meet as they will travel to Burlington on Tuesday at 4 p.m.