Warriors return many veterans from last year’s runner-up squad
THE WARRIORS swept the mile in their scrimmage meet last Wednesday. In the photo are first place junior Tommy Lucey (far right), second place junior Riley Brackett (second from right), followed by sophomores Billy Stevens and Casey Brackett in back. (Donna Larsson Photo)
Published in the April 10, 2017 edition.
By JIM SOUTHMAYD
WAKEFIELD — Over the past several spring seasons, the Wakefield Memorial High boys’ outdoor track team has been either the defending Middlesex League Freedom division championship or the runner-up to Burlington.
As the 2017 season opener approaches, the Warriors are in the position of trying to regain the league championship they lost to the Red Devils a year ago.
While it is always tough to predict exactly what will happen, Wakefield does return many athletes many of which competed for the league championship indoor track team this past winter.
Wakefield finished with a 4-1 dual meet record in ‘16 with the lone blemish being a loss to Burlington in the finale which determined the league champion.
“This year’s squad features a lot of the same kids from the indoor championship season. However, we go from 10 events indoor to 16 outdoors and past success means nothing in the here and now,” said head coach Ruben Reinoso, in his ninth year.
The senior captains for the spring are Cole Mottl (shot put, discus, javelin), Carmen Sorrentino (100 meter dash, 4×100 relay, long jump, high jump), Dan Sallade (100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 4×100 relay, and long jump, Adam Roberto (distance), Ryan Sullivan (distance), and Jack Stevens (distance).
Another athlete to watch this spring season will be Patrick Redmond, a junior, in the shot put.
“Pat and Cole both had very strong indoor seasons and they return as two of the top throwers in the whole state,” said Reinoso. “Pat will also throw the discus.”
Charles Senior, a junior, returns as one of the top discus throwers in the league as well, Pat Bertini is coming back from injury to compete in the discus, too.
The distance crew features some of the best in the country, after dipping under 8:00 in the 4×800 relay, the four amigos are back for outdoors said Reinoso. Sullivan, Roberto, senior Nick McGee, and junior Matt Greatorex will run anything from the 400 meters to the two mile and the 4×400 relay.
Greatorex is a top miler in the state, and after running 4:24 indoors, Reinoso and is coaching staff will keep a close eye at what he can run outdoors.
Roberto will be a contender for the 800 meter Div. 3 state title after his 1:57 split in the relay at Nationals. McGee was fourth at states indoors and should be a top contender this spring in that event. Sullivan will focus on the 800 and the mile.
Juniors Tommy Lucey and Riley Brackett look very strong early this season. Sophomores Carter Margolis, Billy Stevens, and Rohan Singhvi have showed early season promise. Freshman Tanner Jellison, a national qualifier, also has looked to be a consistent scorer this season.
There are many other distance runners who have already showed the potential to break the five minute barrier in the mile giving them an opportunity to score points in any given meet.
Among the jumps, hurdles, and sprints group, Wakefield brings back most of the same talent from the indoor season.
Sallade will compete for the 100 meter crown in the Freedom division.
Dan Summers, a senior, will compete in the 200, 400 meters, and in the relays, while Brian Smith, a sophomore, has made the transition to sprints this spring and he returns as of the top 400 meter runners in his class.
Marc Biennestin, a junior, will compete in the long jump, high jump, 100, 200, and 4×100 relay.
Henry Stikeman, a junior, will compete in the 100, 200 and 4×100 relay. Freshman Ryan Obear had a good indoor season and Reinoso is looking for him to compete in the 100, 200,and 4×100 relay.
Sam Morey, a junior, had a breakout season in the hurdles in the indoor season and he will continue to compete in the 400 hurdles and in the 110 high hurdles.
Peter Crump, a senior, will compete in the 400 hurdles, 110 high hurdles, and some jumping events. Tommy Galvin, a sophomore, will compete in the 400 hurdles, 110 high hurdles, high jump, and triple jump.
Jared Hurley, a junior, will compete in the 200, 400 meters, triple jump, long jump, and relays, while Trevor Noble, a sophomore, has been looking pretty good in practice and he will compete in the long jump and high jump.
Newcomer Joseph Carmilla-Smith, a junior, is new to track and field and will compete in the high jump and some sprinting events.
The coaching staff from the indoor season returns with the addition of assistant coach Greg Gibbs (sprints, strength and conditioning, and javelin), while assistant coaches Perry Pappas (distance), Justin Berry (shot, discus, javelin, and strength and conditioning), Elias Reinoso (hurdles, long jump, and triple jump), and Anthony LaFratta (sprints, relays, and long jump) return from the indoor season.
“We are always talking about getting better every day and every meet and that will be our focus this year,” said Ruben Reinoso. “If we focus on the process and not the results, the results will take care of themselves.”
Wakefield opens up the season this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. against Stoneham in the M.L. Freedom division opener at Stoneham High School.
