AMARA OTALUKA, Abby Taylor, Jill Frawley and D’Mitra Mukasa and the MHS girls’ indoor track team are looking for a clean sweep of the ML Freedom. (courtesy photo)

 


After press time: Melrose finishes regular season 5-0, takes ML Freedom League.

By JENNIFER GENTILE

BOSTON—The Melrose High girls’ indoor track team is making a statement in the Middlesex League and making strides statewide as they embark on their dual meet and division-wide indoor track season. They’ve had a busy December and their record shows.

Melrose is now 4-0 and looking for a clean sweep of the ML Freedom League after their most recent win on January 9 against Stoneham in a dual meet held at Boston.  The only ML rival left is Wilmington, whom they will battle this Monday at the Track at New Balance.

On December 14, Melrose beat Watertown by a score of 78 21, and they followed that up on Dec. 21 with a 57-43 victory over Burlington and another victory over Wakefield, 59-40 on Dec. 28. Those communities are considered must-beat to secure a league title, which has been out of Melrose’s hands for a few years.

Melrose enjoyed one of their best results against league rival Wakefield with several first-place finishes in a variety of events. They include Jill Frawley in the 300m and Cadence L’Heureux in the 1000, which was a sweep thanks to ab 2nd place finish by Reilly Powell. Melrose also took the 1 mile behind the work of Darby Thompson, first, and Violeta Rechea, second. Melrose also swept the 2 mile with running of Maizie Frakt (1st) Darby Thompson and Kensington Ludlum. Melrose’s 4×400 relay team was very impressive with their first-place finish on the legs of Amy Rowe, Reilly Powell, Emma Drago and Cadence L’Heureux. Melrose also took the high jump thanks to the work of Emeline Boyer (HJ) and Cadence L’Heureux and Isabelle Chardovoryne (1-2 in long jump respectively)

The girls also had a nice showing at the MSTCA Freshman Sophomore Meet held on Saturday in Boston. Those who put the state on notice of their future potential included: Reilly Powell who took silver in the 1000m and Emma Drago, 7th in the 600.

Monday should be a determining day for Melrose and if they beat the Wildcats they should be poised to take home the Freedom title. Stay tuned.