Clean sweep for outdoor track teams

THE MELROSE High girls track team finishes their league meet season at 4-1. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)

Published May 10, 2024

Home meet was perfect backdrop for league win

By JENNIFER GENTILE 

MELROSE—The Melrose High boys and girls outdoor track teams made the most of their singular home meet at Pine Banks when they hosted four opponents in an ML Block meet on May 2 against rivals Woburn, Winchester, and Watertown. Melrose faced Watertown and took convincing wins in both classes by commanding leads of 82-22 (girls) and 91-7 (boys). Just days later, both teams picked up key league wins over Wilmington, as well. The teams wrap up their league meet season with winning records. The boys are 3-2 on the season and the girls are 4-1. Melrose will take part in invitational and divisional meets for the rest of the month. 

Against Watertown, depth proved pivotal for both teams, particularly the boys who saw a top finish by Sam Madden in the high jump, who placed first among all competition with a reach of 6-02 and there were several top 3 places that kept Melrose on the podium and ahead of the leaderboard over Watertown.

Brendan Radzik had a strong day, place 2^nd in the 200 dash and 2^nd in the javelin, with teammate Matt Sarnoski in second in 200 dash. He also placed first for Melrose in the long jump. Jovan Ssebugwawo had a great day, placing first for Melrose in the 400 dash. Teammate Giancarlo Martinis Torres also had a fantastic day with a first place finish for Melrose in the triple jump and a first place finish for Melrose in the 110 meter hurdles, with teammate Charlie Finocchiaro in second.

Melrose’s distance races were in good hands with Caleb Barnes placing first in the 1 mile for Melrose and teammates Ben Dugan and Jad Jamaleddine right behind in 2^nd and 3^rd. Melrose benefitted in the 800 thanks to John Strong and Adam Caldwell, who were first and second respectively. Freshman Ian McGrath and Vain Barsottie also placed in the 3^rd and 4^th positions for Melrose. Matt Sarnoski and Nolan Natale placed first and second respectively in the 400 meter hurdles. Connor Brophy placed second in the high jump with teammate Charlie Finocchiaro right behind him in third. And in long jump Melrose saw Brendan Radzik take the top spot with Matt Callahan, Jason Tang and Owen Mujalli following in that order. Both Mujalli and Tang also scored in the triple jump.

THE MELROSE High boy’s track team picked up a key league win over Wilmington thanks to several top place finishes. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)

Girls team also dominates Watertown Raiders 

The Melrose girl’s was both overwhelming and consistent as they improved to 4-1 on the season with a victory over Watertown. Some of their big winners of the day include Scarlet Timm in the high jump and Reilly Powell in the 1mile. But several Melrose runners cracked the top 3, which put Melrose well ahead of the Watertown Raiders. That included Darby Thompson, second for Melrose in the 1 mile, Cadence L’Heureux first for Melrose in the long jump and 400 and teammate D’Mitra Mukasa second. Mukasa also placed first for Melrose in the 200. Amara Otaluka was top for Melrose in the 100 dash and fourth among all competition. Among those who also topped Melrose’s best finishes include Addy Lawlor in the 800.

In field events, it was a big day for Emme Boyer who nearly topped the entire competition in the shot put with a first place finish for Melrose (2^nd overall) in the shot put and a first place finish for Melrose in the discus. Other solid finishes in the field events included Scarlett Timm in the shot put and Isla Paulson, second and third respectively. Melrose also had a great javelin throw behind the work of winner Olivia DellaPorta and teammates Aisling Donagan and Mae Donahue, second and third respectively.

Just this past Monday, both teams edged Wilmington for a critical league win. The boys beat the Wildcats 73-62 with outstanding performances by Caleb Barnes, who beat all ML competition in the 1 mile and 2 mile. Sam Madden also had a huge day, taking first in the long jump, high jump and triple jump. Also placing first for Melrose were Brandon Radzik (100), Sam O’Donnell (400) Charlie Finocchiaro (110 hurdles) Giancarlo Torres (400 hurdles) and Adam Caldwell (800).

On the girls’ side, Melrose had a big day courtesy of Aisling Donegan who swept the ML in the javelin and Emme Boyer who also swept the league in the shot put. Placing first for Melrose were Amy Rowe (triple jump) Cadence L’Heureux (800) and Reilly Powell (1 mile, 2 mile).