Boys’ track team crowns state champions

Melrose’s 4×400 relay runners earn gold

By JENNIFER GENTILE

WESTFIELD—It was a triumphant day for the Melrose High boy’s outdoor track team, who saw their 4×400 relay team crowned state champions when they swept the field at the Div. 4 State Finals held at Westfield State University last weekend. 

Relay runners Jovan Ssebugwawo, Matt Sarnoski, Sam O’Donnell and Adam Caldwell earned gold when they beat the field of over 20 competing teams with a time of 3:27.58. They edged out their closest competitors from Pembroke and Wakefield to clinch first place. 

Additionally, junior standout Caleb Barnes became a state bronze medalist in the 2 mile when he look third, later taking 7^th in the mile. Adam Caldwell also landed on the podium with a 6^th place finish in the 400m.

Melrose, as a team, placed 10^th overall out of 35 Div. 4 schools. A solid outing for the boys. 

This weekend they will send a collection of athletes to the Meet of Champions (All States) held at Fitchburg State University on Friday and Saturday. 

Caleb Barnes has qualified in both the mile and 2-mile and will fight for a medal in those events. 

And the state champion 4×400 relay team will compete, in a grouping that could include Jovan Ssebugwawo, Sam O’Donnell, Adam Caldwell, Matt Sarnoski, Jonah Tully and Brendan Radzik. 

Additional results from the Div. 4 State Finals follow: 

400m

Adam Caldwell, 6^th 51.62, PR. 

Sam O’Donnell 9^th, 51.90 

Jovan Ssebugwawo, 21^st

800m

Adam Caldwell, 9^th

John Strong 25^th

1 mile

Caleb Barnes 7^th 

Ben Duggan 37^th

2 mile

Caleb Barnes 3^rd

Jad Jamaleddine 21^st

110 hurdles 

Giancarlo Martinis Torres 13^th (prelim)

400 hurdles

Matt Sarnoski 18^th

Giancarlo Matinis Torres 38th

4×800 relay 

Jonah Tully, John Strong, Ben Duggan, Jad Jamaleddine: 10th

Long jump

Brendan Radzik 10^th

Javelin

Emmanuel Guzman, 8^th