Undefeated boys sweep competition, girls place third
Published in the September 23, 2016 edition
ADAM COOK topped the contingent at the 2016 Bob MacDougall Invitational in Tewksbury. Cook placed first among all runners and helped the Melrose boys team (2-0) sweep the field. (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High cross country teams earned strong showings at the 2016 Bob MacDougall 3k Invitational last weekend in Lexington, with the boys’ team topping all competition in a first place team finish and an overall win by senior Adam Cook.The girl’s team also impressed, placing third overall, led by runner Tara O’Shea.
Melrose’s boy’s team has thus far lived up to billing, continuing an undefeated season and earning their 18th consecutive dual meet victory since 2013, after a win this week against Reading. On Tuesday, Melrose traveled to Rocket territory and topped always an competitive Reading squad, 20-36. Melrose remains 2-0 following their season opener win over Arlington. Despite a girls’ team loss against Reading, they grabbed the 3-5 spots on the legs of O’Shea, Mykayla Olwert and Holly Moore.
Over the weekend at the 3K in Lexington, the Melrose’ boys’ team nabbed the top two spots. Adam Cook won the meet in 10:06 and was closely followed by teammate Sean Conlan, who finished 2nd in 10:12. Grabbing 5th for Melrose and the last runner to break the 11:00 minute mark was senior Griffin Barriss, who came across in 10:42.
Melrose’s girls team produced some solid running at the event with junior Tara O’Shea placing third in 12:56, and just three second behind her was junior Mykayla Olwert. Junior Holly Moore was next at 24th in 14:10 just ahead of sophomore Emily Healy, 14:16. Melrose’s girls’ team placed 3rd overall.
Melrose’s boys continued to show depth as junior Will Hanlon placed 8th at 11:02 and junior Steven Stromski closed Melrose’s scoring with his 10th place time in 11:08. Sophomore Jerry Murphy ran his best race ever finishing in 11:12 for 11th place, just ahead of junior Kyle Thompson who was 13th just one second behind. Also breaking the twelve minute mark was Liam Gray, 11:28, Gavin Rowe,11:39, and Danny Broderick, 11:40. Liam McCall was the top freshman finisher. Freshman standout Alex Colugno also ran an impressive 13:48, good for 11th place in the freshman meet.
The Melrose girls team also showed depth with Nicola Tysall finishing the scoring with her 29th place finish in 14:37. Senior Jenna Santos, 14,53 and sophomore Maya Lytje, 14:57 rounded out the varsity seven. Sophomore Sarina Peters also broke the 16 minute mark with her 15:33 time.
Both the boys’ and girls’ teams will host Wilmington on Tuesday, September 27 at 3:30 p.m. at Greenwood Park in Stoneham.
