Girls’ XC team makes it two in a row

Powell tops all competition at Invitational 

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose High girls cross country team are off and running with a 2-1 start to the season following back-to-back dual meet wins over ML Freedom rivals Watertown and Stoneham and successful showings at the Highlands Relay and Frank Kelley Invitational, where one young athlete topped all competition in the sophomore race.

Sophomore Reilly Powell remains unbeaten in her dual meet season and placed first among all in the sophomore 3k race at the Frank Kelley Invitational, beating out 120 athletes racing across MA. She also placed first in Melrose’s last dual meets, including Melrose’s victory over the Watertown Raiders on Sept. 17 when Melrose enjoyed a complete sweep of the top, with the girls winning all but one of the top ten spots. Those finishing in the top were—in order—  Reilly Powell, Maizie Frakt, Naomi Breay, Violet Rechea, Ella Ugino, Kensington Ludlum, Zoe Audet, Skylar Blanch and Abigail Shad.

Melrose had six medalists (top 25) in the Kelley Invitational including Powell, Abigail Schad, Naiomi Breay, Violeta Rechea, Ella Ugino, and Maizie Frakt.

Their last few meets have been held at Pine Banks Park, Melrose’s new home course, which is a big adjustment for the team, who had run at Greenwood for decades.

“We are adjusting well to the new home course,” said Melrose head coach Nick Tuccinardi. “Due to the difficulty, times are a bit slower than they would be and thus, there has been a bit of a mental adjustment needed; for our veteran runners the same or a better effort than last year may not result in a faster time. So far, this has gone relatively smoothly. Also shout out to the Pine Banks staff who have done an incredible job preparing the course-it is in excellent shape,” he said.

On Tuesday Melrose picked up their second straight win, this time over Stoneham, by a score of 15-46. Reilly topped the back with a first place finish.

“Over the best couple of weeks we have had a number of great individuals accomplishments,” reports Tuccinardi. “The following runners ran their first high school 5k: Rebekah Brancato, Abigail Schad, Kiley Skipulski, Jane Teittenen, Dakota Digiorgio, Aamal Qureshi, Sophie Strileckis, Norah Mcneilly.”

And this week some veteran runners earned their personal best times, they include: Sky Blanch, Elanor Marston and Zoe Audet.

Next up is Wilmington, a team that Tuccinardi predicts will be tough. He says, “On paper, they are one of our toughest meets of the season.”

And while this team certainly works hard (and it shows) they also allow time to play hard. This week comes one of the most fun events for the team: goat yoga, a relaxing team bonding tradition.

“I think the vibes on the team are excellent,” says the coach. “We have a lot of fun a practice, there’s a lot of laughing and singing and gymnastics. This team knows how to work hard and smart while also knowing how to have a ton of fun. They really are a joy to be around-it’s been a fun season so far.”