Cook, Melrose, are state silver medalists
Published in the November 18, 2016 edition
THE STATE Silver Medalist MHS boys cross country team. Pictured from left, Erik Heislein, Andy Benagh, Will Hanlon, Steve Stromski, Kevin Wheelock, Griffin Barriss, Sean Conlan, Adam Cook, Coach Kevin Allison, and Liam Gray. (courtesy photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — The Melrose boys’ cross country team collected some hardware at the 2016 MIAA Eastern Mass. Div. 4 State Championship in Wrentham on Nov. 13. For the second consecutive year the team clinched second place in the state with a silver medal performance that saw their top runner, Adam Cook, become a state silver medalist, just missing state champion rights by one second to a Wakefield rival.
This was the team’s fourth consecutive year at the finals, an event in which only 27 teams advance, a true testament to the strength of the program.
Coach Kevin Allison had nothing but praise for the team, and their seniors Adam Cook, Sean Conlan, Kevin Wheelock and Griffin Barris. “Our seniors have risen to the occasion so many times over their careers that I was not surprised that they would come through again and make it to the finals. However their performance today epitomized their ability to take it to a higher level than ever.”
That praised also extended to runner Steve Stromski. “Steve ran an incredible race today. He works hard every day and came through with a clutch performance.”
Melrose came into the meet ranked fifth in the division, but put together their best race of the year and finished second, losing only to the #1 ranked Wakefield High team, now state champs. Melrose beat Pembroke, Tewksbury and Duxbury, all ranked higher.
Melrose also had the distinction of rostering multiple athletes capable of breaking the 17 minute mark in the 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) race. Only 14 runners in the field of 180 runners were able to break the mark, including Melrose’s top talent Cook, Wheelock and Conlan. Conlan finished 10th at 16:52 and Wheelock, just returned from injured list, ran a gutsy 16:52 for 11th.
Next for Melrose was junior Steve Stromski who ran a personal best 17:29 for an impressive 32nd. Senior Griffin Barriss closed out the Melrose scoring in the most exciting way possible, as his 17:45 was good for 45th and a team total of 99 points. Most significant was him beating two other runners by just three-one hundredths of a second, giving Melrose a two point victory over a very good Tewksbury team. Junior Will Hanlon ran right behind with a 17:50 time for 49th and Liam Gray ran a career best 18:40 as he also cracked the top 100 with his 85th place.
And while it was plenty of cause to celebrate, their season continues. The team will travel to Gardner for the State Final on Saturday. The top 20 teams from divisions 4, 5 and 6 will compete. Melrose has placed 18th, 14th and second over the last three years and hopes to be crack the top 10 on Saturday.
