TAYLOR PESCE prevailed in three events for Melrose, who opened up with a win over Watertown. (Jennifer Gentile photo)
Already qualifying athletes to post season
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls’ outdoor track team is off to a sharp 1-0 start to the season after a 91-44 win over Watertown on Friday at Pine Banks Park in Melrose.
Melrose enjoyed eleven first place wins and swept two jumping events to top the Raiders, 91-44.
Among the big winners of the day were senior Taylor Pesce, who placed first in all three of her events —the triple jump, high jump and 110 hurdles. Melrose’s Jillian Bakey and Katie Sikkema also won two races. Additionally, four athletes have already qualified for Div. 3 State meet; including Pesce, along with Julia McAree, Kate Sikkema and Lily Nolan, who all punched their ticket to a post season.
This year Melrose will. be led by Julia McAree, Hailey Keegan, Mollie Lytje, Taylor Pesce, and Sophia Weissman. All of them contributed to Melrose’s win.
Melrose started the meet with a clinch performance by Jillian Bakey in the 400 meter hurdle in which she placed first, while teammate Rachel Brooks came in third. Taylor Pesce led the Melrose sweep in high jump, reaching 5’0 in her first attempt followed by Julia McAree and Scarlet Timm in second and third, respectively.
Katie Sikkema earned first place in the shot put while teammate Anna Spinale was third. Spinale also threw a second place disc toss. Pesce prevailed again in the triple jump followed by Julia McAree and Amy Rowe. Melrose showed swiftness in the one mile and saw it won by Cadence L’Heureux while her teammate Mazie Frakt placed third.
Pesce hit her trifecta when she competed in the 100m hurdles and placed first with a time of 15.8, followed by Julia McAree at 17.5. Lily Nolan prevailed in the 100m with a time of 12.8 and teammate Abigail Dennison was third at 14.1. Katie Sikkema had a big win in the 800m with a time of 2:32 while sophomore teammate Darby Thompson ran an impressive 2:44 for third. It was also a solid day for Dimitri Mukasa who placed first in the long jump with a reach of 14’8 followed by teammate Abigail Dennison.
Jillian Bakey finished another strong race with a first place finish in the 2 mile with a time of 12:24. Melrose relay teams of 4×400 and 4×100 also prevailed. The 4×100 was manned by Abby Dennison, DMitra Muska, Lily Nolan, and Amara Otaluka. The 4×400 also took a win thanks to Cadence L’Heureux, Amy Rowe, Ellie Deeble, and Anna Mackey.
This season, Melrose will see quality leadership from their very experienced seniors. Says coach Shannon Kane, “We have a lot of girls that have returned this year. Notable seniors returning include their captains as well as Kate Sikkema in mid-distance and jav, Autumn Whelan in mid-distance and jav, Charlotte Tysall in the mile and Anna Mackey in the 800.
Field event performers will include Kate Sikkema (jav), Autumn Whelan (jav), Ruby Rosnov (jav), Anna Spinale (jav and discus), Ranya Abidi (discus), Megan Jancaitis (shot and disc), Abby Smith, Mollie Lytje (shot), Taylor Pesce (high jump and triple jump), Julia McAree (high jump and triple jump), Sophia Weismann and Meghan Radizk (triple jump and long jump), D’Mitra Muska (long jump), Scarlett Timm (high jump).
Distance runners should include Cadence L’Heureux, Charlotte Tysall, Jill Bakey, Maizie Frakt, Anna Mackey, Kate Sikkema, Autumn Whelan, Amy Rowe, Kat Whistler, Darby Thompson, Rachel Brooks, Juliet Moore and Ellie Deeble. And look for sprinters Hailey Keegan, Meg Radzik, Lily Nolan, D’Mitra Muska, Isabelle Chardavoyne, Abby Dennison, Zoe Smith, Amara Otaluka, and Brigid Corolla. Coach Kane spoke of the team’s goals this year. “Our biggest goal for this year is just to keep improving every meet, whether that is to have our mindset improve or our times, both are very valuable and will lead to a lot of growth in our athletes.”
Melrose will enjoy a break before they travel to Burlington on April 26 for a 4:00 p.m. meet.
