THE MHS boy’s track team beat Wakefield for the first time in 14 years last week at their annual dual meet. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)
First victory over Wakefield in 14 years
By JENNIFER GENTILE
WAKEFIELD—After a long 14-year drought, the skies opened for the Melrose High boys’ track team, who finally defeated arch rival Wakefield 70-66 at their dual meet held at Beasley track in Wakefield on May 10.
The event would essentially come down to a final relay, the 4×400 team of Russell O’Donnell, Sam O’Donnell, Adam Caldwell and Jevon Ssebugwawo, who snagged victory with a best time of 3:34 and prompted a team celebration on the track.
But, it was a collaborative effort that led to the win, coming on the back of many first place finishes, which included:
100 dash Josh Grant
200 dash Gabe Buffonge
400 dash, 1-2 by Sam O’Donnell, Jevon Ssebugwawo
110 hurdles, Gabe Buffone
400 hurdles, Jevon Ssebugwawo, personal best time of 59.30
Disc: Jack Claeys
High Jump: 1-2, Sam Madden, Charlie Finnachario
Notably, just days later when Melrose competed at the Andover Invitational at the Lovely Stadium Track in Andover, Melrose senior captain Ellis lurilli-Hough broke his own personal record in the 2 mile and, with a time of 9.47.12, qualified for Nationals.
To date here is a list of their current state qualifiers:
*Gabriel Buffonge 110 High Hurdles
*Josh Grant 100m Dash
*Ellis Iurilli-Hough, Caleb Barnes, Adam Cadwell: 1 Mile
*Ellis Iurilli-Hough, Caleb Barnes: 2 Mile
*Adam Caldwell: 800m
*Sam Madden: High Jump
*Charlie Krygowski: Javelin
*4x400m Relay: Russell O’Donnell, Sam O’Donnell, Filip Ilic, Adam Caldwell
-*400m Hurdles: Russell O’Donnell, Jovan Ssebugwawo
According to Melrose head coach Tim Morris, depth in the form of new talent and seasoned experienced upperclassmen leaders have helped set this team apart this season. “We have good depth and a blend of veteran and rookies in our distance and middle distance.”
He points to experienced runners such as Ellis lurilli-Hough, Caleb Barnes and Russell O’Donnell who lend efforts with standout underclassmen such as Adam Caldwell. But Morris also notes that field events are coming a long way.
“We’re scoring in the jumps with the emerging Sam Madden in high jump and Josh Grant in long jump. We also have solid performances in the thows by seniors Jack Claeys and Charlie Krygowski.”
And of course, meet-winning quartets have made a difference all season. Confirms the coach, “Our relay teams have been great.”
He notes that having an “all hands-on deck” approach in coaching has also been key. “Having more coaches has helped too. Mike [Cotugno] with distance, especially.