Undefeated at 5-0 after victory over Burlington
Published January 11, 2019
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls’ indoor track team became league champions after defeating Burlington 71-29 on Tuesday, Janurary 8 at Boston University. Melrose remains undefeated at 5-0 in the Freedom League and have earned their first league title since 2012.
For Melrose coach Shannon Kane, it was a moment that was a long time coming for both her and her athletes. “Last year we fell just shy, and we’ve been so close in our both our winter and spring seasons. Even our cross country seasons have been one win, even one point, shy. So many of the runners on this team have been waiting for this moment. It’s hard to even describe what it feels like. These girls are just thrilled right now.”
THE 2019 Middlesex Freedom League Champion MHS indoor track team. (courtesy photo)
In order to clinch the league, Melrose had to beat two tough rivals in two weeks: Wakefield and Burlington. Mission accomplished. Melrose topped Wakefield last week, 71-29, behind victories from Nora Daly in the 55 dash, Giovanna Dos Sato Machado in the 300, Alyssa Champagne in the 600, a 1-2 finish by Kate Bidgood and Jen Fracasso in the 1000, Katie Duffy in the mile, and a 1-2 finish by Charlotte Tysall and Alex Cotugno in the 2 mile. They also enjoyed first place finishes by the team’s 4×200 and 4×400 teams. In fact, the 4×400 relay team recently qualified for state competition with a time of 4:18 when Melrose beat Burlington on Tuesday, 57-43, behind efforts of Jenna Thorpe, Charlotte Tysall, Alyssa Champagne and Kate Bidgood.
That meet came down to the final relay, and the quartet not only qualified with their time, they clinched the meet with a victorious finale.
Also coming up big against Burlington was Jocelyn Skane in the shot put, Nora Daly in the 55 dash, Katie Duffy in the two mile, Ella Flemming in the 600 and Meghan Bidgood in the hurdles. “All of them were critical to getting points on the board,” says their coach.
Several Lady Raiders have had outstanding and undefeated seasons in their events. Those who have qualified for post season competition include the team’s 4×400 relay team, Giovanna Dos Satos Machado in the 300, Katie Duffy in the mile, Charlotte Tysall in the 2 mile and Kate Bidgood in the 1000.
But it doesn’t stop now. There are plenty of races to run. This weekend, seventeen of the girls will travel to Dartmouth College to compete in a Relay Invitational.
