Boys indoor track could clinch league next week 

Wins over Stoneham & Wilmington get job done

THESE HIGH jumpers are helping keep Melrose boy’s indoor track undefeated. Pictured, left: Charlie Finocchiaro, CJ Cinella, Max Lanciani, Sam Madden, Nick Vassallo, Adam Caldwell, Amato Finocchiaro and Matt Sarnoski. (courtesy photo)

By JENNIFER GENTILE

BOSTON—The Melrose High boy’s indoor track team’s goal of earning a long-awaited Middlesex Freedom League title is that much closer to reality thanks to back-to-back wins over league rivals Stoneham and Wilmington last week. On Tuesday at Boston University, they picked up a critical 67-33 win over Wilmington that improved Melrose to 4-0 with just one league meet to go over Watertown next week, which could set them up for an unbeaten 5-0 league winning season.

After picking up an impressive win over Stoneham on Jan. 3 at Boston University, Melrose was pitted against Wilmington (3-1) on Tuesday in a much-needed win situation. And they fired on all cylinders, taking many top spots including the high jump, 1000m and 55 dash.

It was a big day for Melrose senior Charlie Finocchiaro, who placed first in the 55 hurdles and 2^nd high jump for Melrose, helping earn critical points towards the win. Teammate Sam Madden took the high jump in his standout event with a reach of 6’0, ahead of all Middlesex League competition. And Melrose’s Ben Dugan topped the competition in the 2-mile. Melrose also had a great 1-3 sweep of the 1000 behind the work of John Strong, Dan Teittinen and Gavin Barsotti, and another sweep in the 600 behind runs from Adam Caldwell, Jonah Tully and Jack Kavanaugh. And they swept again in the 55 dash behind the work of Josh Grant (2^nd in ML) along with Tyler Lecomte and Max Lanciani. Melrose also had a solid 2nd and 3^rd finish in the 300 on the runs of Brendan Radzik and Matt Sarnoski.

Melrose’s 4×200 relay did the job, placing first from efforts from Tyler Lecomte, Sebastian Fiote, Brendan Radzik and Josh Grant.

In field events Melrose placed 2^nd and 3^rd in the long jump on the work of Radzik and Jason Tang. High jump was all Melrose as Sam Madden and Charlie Finocchiaro cleared the field on their 1^st and 2^nd place finishes.

Previously, Melrose put in an excellent effort against Stoneham on January 3. They swept several events including the 1000 on the runs of John Strong, Gavin Barsotti and Anderson Ji, saw another 1-2 sweep in the high jump from Madden and Finocchiaro, and a great 1-3 sweep in the 1 mile behind the work of (winner) Henry McCormack and teammates Jad Jadmaleddine and William Oldham. Winners include Finocchiaro in the 55 hurdles. who was followed by Cam Orlandella and Frost Drogan, Brendan Radzik in the 55, followed by Tyler Lecomte, Adam Caldwell in the 600, Ben Dugan in the 2 mile and the relay team of Jonah Tully, Matt Sarnoski, Jad Jamaleddine and Adam Caldwell.

With Melrose now 4-0, there is a strong chance their long awaited league title could come to fruition next week when they battle Watertown at Boston University for the last of the Middlesex League block meets next Wednesday. Stay tuned.