Warriors suffer first loss of season in M.L. Freedom division showdown
Published in the October 7, 2015 edition
RYAN SULLIVAN, a junior, was Wakefield’s top runner yesterday afternoon. Sullivan took fifth place at 17:09. (Donna Larsson Photo)
By JIM SOUTHMAYD
STONEHAM — The Wakefield Memorial High boys’ cross country team wanted to bring the Middlesex League Freedom division title back to Wakefield. However the Warriors found out that Melrose had no intention of giving up the crown without a fight and was ready for Wakefield’s best shot.
In a Middlesex League Freedom division showdown yesterday afternoon at Greenwood Park, the Red Raiders secured the first four places and cruised to a 19-36 victory over Wakefield to remain undefeated on the season.
Meanwhile, Wakefield fell to 3-1 overall on the season and 2-1 in the league.
The Warriors were without the services of their top runner, junior Adam Roberto, who was out of the lineup due to illness.
Even if Roberto had run, Wakefield probably would not have won the meet with the way Melrose’s frontline runners performed on their home course which is three miles long.
“Melrose wanted it more than us,” said Coach Perry Pappas. “We’ll use this as motivation for the rest of the season. They’ve (Wakefield’s runners) have got to believe in themselves.”
The Warriors still had plenty of varsity runners that did compete yesterday afternoon. But Melrose performed better as a team on its home course.
Taking first overall was Kevin Wheelock, a junior, as he ran an outstanding time of 15:59 to break the course record.
Junior Adam Cook, senior Rob Hanlon and junior Sean Conlon captured second, third and fourth overall which resulted in the Red Raiders clinching the win. Their times were 16:34, 16:42 and 16:54.
Wakefield grabbed the next four places in the meet. Junior Ryan Sullivan was fifth overall at 17:09, senior Rich Custodio was sixth at 17:21, sophomore Matt Greatorex clocked in at 17:21 for seventh and sophomore Tom Lucey ran a time of 17:28 for eighth place.
After Melrose took ninth with Griffin Barris running a time of 17:29, Wakefield took the next six places.
Junior Alec Rodgers (17:38), senior Chris Skeldon (17:44), junior Jackson Kehoe (17:52), junior Jack Stevens (17:58), senior Jeremy Keegan (18:41) and senior Tyler Whipple (18:48) finished 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th in the race.
“This is only one meet,” said Pappas. “Melrose will most likely win the league title. But there are other things we can accomplish besides winning the league title. We have the league meet and the state meet. We have Burlington and Watertown and we’re going to get ready to win those meets.”
The Warriors dominated in the JV race which bodes well for the future of the program. Wakefield took three of the top four places.
Winning the 1.9 race was junior Nick McGee who clocked in at 10:49. Alex Guerrier, a senior, posted a time of 11:00 for second place and Adam D’Ambrosio, a sophomore, was fourth at 11:09.
The rest of Wakefield JV runners included Robert Shaw (11:11), Shahnawaz Anwar (11:19), Mike Frezza (11:20), Rohan Singhvi (11:22), Billy Stevens (11:22), Tom Harrington (11:29), Casey Brackett (11:30), Justin McGonagle (11:41), Riley Brackett (11:45), Ty Collins (11:53), James Connors (12:05), Derryn Langlois (12:14), Derrick Scheeler (12:20), Ryan Donald (12:26), Ryan Smith (12:29), Nolan Collins (12:41), David Lee (12:46), Max Hinchey (12:49), Sam Morey (13:16), Adam Chanley (13:17), Chris Beaudoin (13:30), David Holman, Cal Sylvia, Jack Matuszewski and Brian McGonagle.
Wakefield runs against Burlington on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 3:30 p.m. at the Beasley Course.
