State silver medalists return fully equipped, ranked #1
Published in the September 2, 2016 edition
THE MHS boys cross country team are the pick of the division. The twice-undefeated league champs are ranked first and kick off their season on Sept. 13. (file photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — The Melrose boys’ cross country team returns for its fall 2016 season with a distinct target on its back. As well they should; the state silver medalists returned fully staffed after its second straight undefeated season. Thus, expectations are higher than ever for coach Kevin Allison’s fleet footed runners.
Melrose proved nearly impossible to beat last season; as league champs they finished second in the state, losing to only a powerful Marblehead team, who has lost many of their top runners in 2016. Melrose, however, returns nine of its top ten from last year and have been ranked as the number 1 seed for the upcoming season.
It’s safe to say: expect big stuff from this team.
Melrose is led by seniors Kevin Wheelock, Adam Cook and Sean Conlan, who all finished in the top 20 at the state final, and are back to try to reach that elite level again. Senior Griffin Barriss was the key fifth runner for the team last season and will be back as one of the league’s top runners.
In order to reach the top level achieved last year the team will have to replace All-Star Robbie Hanlon who has graduated after a stellar career. The team has several veterans who will be vying for the last spots. Included in this group are returning seniors Erik Heislein and Ryan Bradford. The talented junior class include Dan Broderick, William Duffy, Will Hanlon, Colin Mullane, Kyle Thompson, Zack Zysk, Ian Phipps and Liam Gray. Returning sophomores are Ross Carroll, Jacob Witkowski, Kyle Roche, Jerry Murphy, Gavin Rowe and Jack Summersby.
Coach Allison is looking forward to the season. “The boys have done a great job preparing for the season and we could compete tomorrow if we had to,” he says. “A lot has to happen right to reach the level we did last year but this team is extremely deep, the boys are very motivated and I’m sure that we will see their best effort.”
The team kicks off its season on Tuesday, Sept. 13 against Arlington at home at Green Wood Park in Stoneham at 3:30 p.m.
2016 Schedule
Tue 9/13 vs. Arlington High School, 3:30
Tue 9/20 @ Reading Memorial High School, 3:30
Sat 9/24 @ Manchester Invite, TBA
Tue 9/27 vs. Wilmington, 3:30
Wed 10/05 vs. Burlington, 3:30
Tue 10/11 @ Wakefield, 3:30
Tue 10/18 @ Watertown, 3:30
Tue 10/25 vs. Stoneham, 3:30
Mon 10/31 League Meet, 1
MSTCA Rankings – Small School
1. Melrose
2. Hamilton-Wenham
3. Mount Greylock
4. Hopedale
5. Norwell
6. Newburyport
7. Coyle & Cassidy
8. Parker Charter
9. Amesbury
10. Wakefield
11. Manchester-Essex
12. Pembroke
13. Duxbury
14. Tewksbury
15. Pentucket
16. Whitinsville Christian
17. Dighton-Rehoboth
18. Bromfield
19. Weston
20. Monson
