Melrose takes second in final; Wheelock places third
Published in the November 27, 2015 edition
EARNING A well deserved rest are members of the D2 State Silver Medalist Melrose boys’ cross country team. (from left): Sean Conlan, Adam Cook, Griffin Barriss, Robbie Hanlon, Will Hanlon, Steve Stromski, Elizabeth Hirsch, Kevin Wheelock, and coach Kevin Allison.
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — It’s been an incredible ride for the undefeated league champ Melrose High School boys’ cross country team, who’ve dominated the competition in post season. On Saturday it culminated in the biggest show of all: The MIAA All State meet held at Stanley Park in Westfield. The meet consists of the 19 top teams and best 30 individual runners in divisions 4-6 in Massachusetts. Melrose took home a silver medal as a team, thanks to outstanding top 20 finishes, including Kevin Wheelock, who took home the bronze medal for his third place finish.
Melrose was ranked ninth going into this elite meet but shattered all expectations by beating 17 of their 18 competitors and finishing second, losing only to Marblehead. Junior Kevin Wheelock became the state bronze medalist with a finish of 15:48.
“It was a tremendous performance by the boys,” stated coach Kevin Allison who’s enjoyed two undefeated back-to-back seasons and brought the team to the All-State final three years straight. Their flawless season and statewide domination lends to the idea that this Melrose High team is up with the past MHS greats who earned titles in the decades from 1930-1962.
For coach Allison, the overall team performance was outstanding but the individual efforts were equally as important. Says the coach, “Six of our seven boys set personal records and that is unheard of.”
Kevin Wheelock was Melrose’s top finisher, as he placed third in this field of 178 of the fastest, fittest athletes in the state. His 15:48 time is a blistering 5:05 per mile. Adam Cook was next at 12th in 16:11 and was recognized with an MIAA medal for being one of the top 15 runners. Robbie Hanlon, the only senior running in the meet finished his fantastic cross-country career with a 16:33 time, good for 32nd. Sean Conlan was next at 39th in 16:42. Griffin Barriss closed out the scoring with a 17:37, almost 45 seconds quicker than his EMass race. Sophomores Will Hanlon (18:15) and Steve Stromski (18:27) also ran under the 6:00 per mile pace.
It’s been an overall successful fall for Melrose High athletics and this team is a large part of it. A source of pride for Melrose, no doubt these runners are inspiring future sprinters to pick up the sport. For their coach, he couldn’t ask for anything more. “They all gave absolutely everything they had to accomplish this and should be proud of being the second best Division II team in the entire state.”
