Virtual meet brings surprises
Published March 19, 2021
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—It was a night of historic firsts for the Melrose High girl’s swim team, who embarked in their first ever virtual meet to kick off their Fall2 sport season on Thursday, March 12 at the Melrose YMCA. The event was live streamed by Melrose High TV on Youtube and can be viewed at tinyurl.com/MelroseLive.
Wakefield competed at their own facility at the Mystic Charter School and once scores were tallied it was the Warriors who ultimately prevailed. But Melrose established quality baseline times from their swimmers. Their 200 yard medley relay had a strong second place showing thanks to the efforts of Milania Saggese, Grace Haseltine, Lucy Tyson and Courtney Casey, who clocked in at 2:12:42. Tyson also stood out in the 100 yard backstroke with a second place finish and a time of 1:09.03.
Melrose kicked off the meet with the 200 yard medley and saw Madeleine Brodeur and Demya Allen compete in the 200 yard free. The 200 individual medley was represented by Emilia Rahilly, Milania Saggese and Noelle L’Heureux. Sophia Scacchi, Courtney Casey and Ariana Rodd competed in the 50 free. Lucy Tyson impressed in the 100 fly with a third place finish. The 100 freestyle was a solid event for Melrose thanks to Madeleine Brodeur, who had a third place time of 1:08.43 and teammates Ariana Rodd and Andrea Mortimer. Grace Haseltine swam nicely in the 500 free with a third place finish and was joined by teammate Noelle L’Heureux.
Melrose brought lots of swimmers to the 200 free relay with the teams of Courtney Casey, Demya Allen, Noelle L’Heureux and Madeleine Brodeur coming in third at 2:11.73. Other teams include Ella Mistretta, Andrea Mortimer, Madison Wight and Randi Sullivan, plus the team of Sophia Scacchi, Grace Haseltine, Emilia Rahilly and Ariana Rodd.
Lucy Tyson earned 4 points for Melrose in the 100 back with a second place finish, while teammates Emilia Rahilly and Milania Saggese joined in her in the race. Melrose was represented by Sophia Scacchi, Grace Haseltine and Courtney Casey in the 100 breast. And Melrose wrapped up the meet by sending two relay teams out in the 400 free relay. Earning Melrose’s best finish were Demya Allen, Madeleine Brodeur, Milania Saggese and Lucy Tyson, who were joined by Ella Mistretta, Andrea Mortimer, Madison Wright and Randi Sullivan.
Perhaps the highlight of the night was the accomplishment of junior Anna Burtnett, who made her varsity race debut in the 50 free. The hard working swimmer competed nicely in the event and made both the whole team and her coach Bryan Meeghan proud. “I’m so proud of Anna for swimming her race in a meet,” he says. “It’s a huge accomplishment for her. It took three seasons to get there, but I think we’ll start seeing her compete in every meet now.”
Upcoming schedule
Thursday, March 18 v. Stoneham, 8 (YMCA) Thursday, March 25 v. Burlington, 8 (YMCA)
