League champions crowned, medals collected
THE MELROSE HIGH boy’s indoor track team took second among all competition at the ML meet and will soon send dozens to compete at States. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
BOSTON—It was one of the best showing in many years for the MHS boys’ indoor track team who took second place among all Middlesex League large and small teams at the 2024 Middlesex League meet held on Monday, Feb. 5 at the Track at New Balance in Boston.
Three individual and one relay team became were crowned league champions. Overall, with 70 points Melrose placed well ahead of rival teams such as Reading and league-winner Burlington. It was a day of redemption for Melrose, who lost just one league meet their entire season, only to top that team on Monday.
Taking gold medals were Melrose’s Josh Grant in the 55 meter, Sam Madden in the high jump, Brendan Radzik in the long jump and the 4×400 relay team of Jevon Ssebugwawo, Matthew Sarnoski, Sam O’Donnell and Adam Caldwell, who blew away the competition with a time of 3:29.79.
Melrose’s Grant started the meet off sweeping the 55 meter with a time of 6.52. Brendan Radzik would take the long jump with a reach of 20’5. And Madden reached new heights with a gold winning jump of 6’3.
Others landing on the podium included Caleb Barnes, third in the 2 mile, Adam Caldwell, third in the 1000, Sam O’Donnell in the 600, Tyler Lecomte in the 55 dash, Jack McAree in the shot put, the relay team of Lecomte, Radzik, Grant and Max Lanciani. Giancarlo Martinis-Torres was 6th in the 55 hurdles, Ben Duggan, 7th in the 1 mile and Radzik was 7th in the 300.
Others having some nice times in their individual events included Jad Jamaleddine, Will Oldham, Tommy McElligot, Charlie Finocchiaro, Max Lanciani, Matt Sarnoski, Henry McCormack, Ben Cassavoy, Jovan Ssebugwawo and John Strong.
There is plenty of season to go, including a post season. The team will be very well represented at the Div. 3 State Champs on Feb. 17. They will have an enormous amount of athletes competing and could stand a good chance of landing on the podium as a team. Those competing include:
Josh Grant (55 Dash, Long Jump, 4x200m Relay)
Tommy McElligot (55 Dash, Long Jump, 4x200m Relay)
Tyler Lecomte (4x200m Relay)
Brendan Radzik (55m Dash, 300m, Long Jump, 4x200m Relay)
Jovan Ssebugwawo (300m, 4x400m Relay)
Samuel O’Donnell (600m, 4x400m Relay)
Jonah Tully (600m, 1000m, 4x800m Relay)
Matthew Sarnoski (600m, 4x400m Relay)
Adam Caldwell (1000m, 1 Mile, 4x400m Relay)
John Strong (1000m, 4x800m Relay)
Ben Dugan (1 Mile, 4x800m Relay)
Caleb Barnes (1000m, 1 Mile, 2 Mile, 4x800m Relay)
Giancarlo Martinis-Torres (55 Hurdles)
Samuel Madden (High Jump)
Charlie Finocchiaro (High Jump)
Maximillian Lanciani (High Jump, 4x200m Relay)
Sebastien Fiote (High Jump, 4x200m Relay)
Look for coverage in upcoming editions to see how many postseason medals Melrose will take. Chances are, a good amount. Stay tuned.
