Will compete in States this weekend
Published in the May 25, 2017 edition
AMONG THOSE who medaled for the MHS girls’ outdoor track team at their recent Last Chance meet were: (from left) Giovana dos Santos Machado, Bridget McDonnell, Molly Clark, Kate Bidgood, Katie Donovan, Holly Moore and Emily Otaluka. (courtesy photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girl’s outdoor track team competed successfully at the 2017 Middlesex League Championship held on May 17 at Regis College. Melrose medaled in several events, showing depth in sprinting and jumping events, and this weekend will take part in the Div. 3 State Finals at Burlington High.
Melrose began their day with the 100 meter dash, and earned a fifth and sixth place finish from Lucia Siede and Brooke Barriss (respectively). Siede displayed her all-around strength with a 6th place finish in the long jump as well. Melrose’s best showing in the long jump was from senior captain Anne Morrison, 5th at 16-02″. Grace Mercer wowed in the high jump, with a fourth place finish. Molly Clark medaled in 6th place in the disc and Tara O’Shea placed 8th in the 2 mile. Melrose’s 4×100 team of Brooke Barriss, Nia Kovacev, Lucia Siede and Anne Morrison also had an impressive showing, coming in fourth. Giovanna dos Santos Machado finished 8th in the 400 dash and has qualified for states. Katie Donovan earned 8th place in the javelin.
Nia Kovacev placed 11th in the 200 meter dash and Nicole Nzui 22nd. Grace Mercer placed 15th in the 400 dash event. Competing in the 800 was Emily Healy and Lily Fitzgerald. Mykyla Olwert competed in the 1 mile, finishing 17th. Katie Duffy placed 11th in the 2 mile. Jenna DelMastro and Serena Debari competed in the 100 hurdles (16th and 17th respectively). Kara Fahey and Serena Peters both competed in the 400 hurdles. Melrose’s 4×400 relay team of Giovanna dos Santos Machado, Ahnika Chaharom, Kara Fahey and Grace Mercer placed 9th. The 4×800 relay team of Kate Bidgood, Bridget McDonell, Holly Moore and Alex Cotugno placed 6th. Brooke Barriss competed in the triple jump with a 16th place finish. Nia Kovacev competed in the triple jump. On field events, Melrose saw efforts from Emily Otaluka in shot and discus.
Melrose finished their regular season a winning 3-2. According to coach Shannon Kane, team camaraderie made all the difference. “This was a good year. It helped having many of the girls make the transition with me from indoor to outdoor season. I credit our captains, Anne Morrison, Jenna DelMastro and Erin Reardon for leading by example and creating a good atmosphere. They built relationships across the board.”
Among those who qualified to represent Melrose at Div. 3 States this weekend are all three relay teams, along with Giovana dos Santos Machado, Anne Morrison in the high jump and long jump, Tara O’Shea in the 2 mile, Lucia Siede in the long jump and 100 meter and Grace Mercer in the high jump.
Earning All Star honors this year for their work this season are: Anne Morrison, co-MVP of the Middlesex Freedom League, Jenna DelMastro, Brooke Barriss, Lucia Siede, Emily Otaluka, Chelsea Otaluka, Katie Donovan and the team’s 4×100 relay team of Morrison, Barriss, Siede and Kovacev.
Coach Kane notes that the team’s success this season is in part by her asst. coaches Cody Lusas (field events) and Connor Oropeza (long distance).
Melrose will compete at the Div. 3 States on Sunday morning at Burlington High.
