BRAEDEN MARCEAU-Olayinka’s work in the shot put has helped the Melrose High outdoor track team stay competitive all season. (photos by Raj Das www.edphotos.com)
Many athletes to appear at this weekend’s States
By JENNIFER GENTILE
BURLINGTON—The Melrose High school boy’s outdoor track team is preparing for States this weekend and is coming off a solid appearance at the 2022 Middlesex League Championship at Burlington High on May 19.
Among those taking home medals were Ryan Cotugno in the 800 meter, Gabe Buffonge in the 110 hurdles, who took home bronze with a time of 15.85, and Trentyn Hodges in the triple jump.
Melrose started things off in the 100 dash with runs by Oto Albanese and Trentyn Hodges in the 100 dash. In the 200 dash, Melrose saw sprints from Gabe Buffonge and Christopher Weldon. Melrose saw a strong finish in the 400 by Sam O’Donnell (9th) and Ben Donovan had a nice sprint of 2:14.15 in the 800 meter. Kiran Thomas had a solid 12th place finish in the triple jump and also competed in the long jump. Frost Dragon represented Melrose in the 110 hurdles. Senior Will Dugan was 8th in the 1 mile with a time of 4:47.16 and teammate Stone Liu was 17th. Melrose cracked the top 10 twice in the 2 mile thanks to the work of Caleb Barnes and Ellis lurilli-Hough (8th and 10th respectively). Melrose was well represented in field events thanks to Braden Marceau-Olayinka with a 10th place finish in shot, Ian Gauch with a 20th, and Jack Claeys who was 20th in the discus.
Melrose relied on the hard work of Charley Krygowski and Justin Camelio in the javelin and they placed 17th and 18th respectively. Relays teams consisting of Ryan Cotugno, Will Duggan, Ellis lurilli-Hough, Ben Donovan, Stone Liu and Caleb Barnes also performed solidly.
This weekend Melrose will see lots of their athletes compete at the Div. 3 States at Westfield State. A list of qualified athletes and their events follow:
200M
Gabe Buffonge
Chris Weldon
400m
Sam O’Donnell
Jevon Ssebugwawo
800m
Ryan Cotugno
Ben Donovan
1 mile
Caleb Barnes
Will Duggan
Ryan Cotugno
Ellis Iurilli-Hough
2 mile
Caleb Barnes
Ellia Iurilli-Hough
110 hurdles
Gabe Buffonge (*seeded first)
400 hurdles
Russell O’Donnell
Jevon Ssebugwawo
4×800 relay
Ryan Cotugno, Will Duggan, Ellis lurilli-Hough, Ben Donovan, Stone Liu and Caleb Barnes
High Jump
Sam Madden
Triple Jump
Trentyn Hodges
Javelin
Charley Krygowski
Shot put
Braeden Marceau
