Has secured a spot at this weekend’s All-States

THE MHS girls cross-country team has all the reason to celebrate. They secured a spot in this weekend’s All States, and here, they celebrated their seniors, from left: Sky Blanch, Maizie Frakt, Catalina Mena, Mina Zheng, Kensington Ludlum, Ella Ugino and Suly Ramirez. (courtesy photo)

By JENNIFE GENTILE 

DEVENS, MA—The Melrose High girls cross country team battled through adversity last weekend at the Div. 2A finals in Devens to secure a place at the 2024 All State Finals held there this Saturday. 

Melrose placed 9th in a field of 21 teams there. It was good enough to secure a wild card spot for Melrose to compete among the state’s best this weekend. 

Melrose’s league MVP Reilly Powell wowed by placing 4th for a medal and a guarantee to run next weekend. 

“Reilly has had as good a first season running cross country as possible,” says Melrose head coach Nick Tuccinardi. “She has won every dual meet, multiple invitationals, League MVP and beyond the accolades she is one of the hardest working (and loudest singing) members on the team. She is a really great kid and her energy is infectious.”

The coach notes that overall, there was some illness the team had to battle through over the weekend that pushed them to the limit. “It was a tough day as we had some sickness running through the team. That being said there were a lot of really gutsy performances.” 

Indeed, it was a collective effort with runners Ella Ugino, Maizie Frakt, Zoe Audet, Violeta Rechea and Dakota Digiorgio, following in that order. 

“There was some solid runs, particularly from Naomi Breay and Maizie Frakt,” says Tuccinardi. “Their efforts were actually enough to propel the team to a Wild Card berth.”

His upperclassmen have been key to their success this season. “They’ve have been great. Catalina Mena demonstrates leadership in rehab, keeps the team pumped up with tunes, and also has spread the good word of Melrose XC via Social Media. Kensington Ludlum has persevered through adversity and has developed some amazing leadership skills-having her as a captain is like having a third coach in all the best ways. Maizie Frakt is the only runner on the team who has been running all four years and thus is a critical link to the legacy left by former Red Hawk runners. Maizie has done an incredible job embodying all the best aspects of Melrose Cross Country. Ella Ugino is not a captain in title, but you wouldn’t know that from the way she carries herself. She has been a wealth of running wisdom, as hard a worker as you could find, and brings a new found energy to the team. She has made incredible strides over the course of the season.”

Melrose will take part in the State Finals this Saturday at Ft. Devens. Stay tuned.