Kicks season off with victory over Winchester
THE MELROSE High boy’s swim team kicked off their season with an impressive win over Winchester. (photo by Raj Das, edphotos.com)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The upstart Melrose High boy’s swim team is entering 2025 with an impressive season opener victory over Winchester on Dec. 17 in a decisive 107-63 win at the Woburn Boys and Girls Club.
“We got first place in every race except two and we swept the 50 Free,” says coach Alex Pennachio. “It was great to start the season off with a win. We only had one meet in December so to win that meet starts us off on the right foot and gives us confidence going into a busy January.”
Melrose boasts 15 swimmers this year, most returning from last season, with the addition of two new freshmen, William Barayni and Tristan Onstott, who both come to MHS with swimming experience.
They are led by senior captains William Lowe and Danny Mirick, along with seniors Gabe Dixon, Owen Erelli, Gabe Hunnicutt, Zach Hunnicutt, Ryan McAndrew and Dan Muller. The roster is rounded out by Sam Haseltine, sectional qualifier Jos Barayni, Nick Johannson, Joe Parmet, and Owen Molway.
While Melrose certainly showed a lot of strength in their races against Winchester, distance might be a strength for Melrose in 2025. “I think we will be strongest in the 500 Free and 200,” says the coach. “And our relays have been good so far but we did not have a full lineup at our first meet so moving forward they will only be stronger. We are not the largest team but we have a lot of depth and they should hopefully play out in success for our relays.”
Against the Winchester Red and Black, Melrose saw several winners including Will Lowe (200, 500 Free), Danny Mirick (200IM, 100 Back), Jos Barayni
(50 Free, 100 Free), and Ryan McAndrew (50 Free Heat 2). Some notable best times include Zach Hunnicutt & Will Barayni (50 Free & 100 Free) and Nick Johansson (200, 500 Free).
And just one meet into the season they have already seen two swimmers qualify for post season in
Jos Barayni (50 Free) and Danny Mirick (200IM).
Melrose has set their sights on more wins and if they do, it could put them in contention for a long awaited league title.
“Our meet schedule is concentrated towards the second half of the season so early on we have been focusing on improving our strokes and swims,” says the coach. “We have two home meets on 1/5 (Reading) and 1/7 (Dual vs. Lexington and Central Catholic). Both meets will be incredibly close, and if we can win at least one we set ourselves up for our first winning season in almost 30 years and potentially a league title.”
Melrose will next jump into the pool on Tuesday Jan. 7 against Reading at Melrose’s home base at Malden High at 5:30 p.m.
