THE MELROSE High boys swim team picked up a season-opening win over Burlington last week. (file photo)
Plunges into winter by topping Burlington, 96-63
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—Talk about making up for lost time.
Just months after an unusual spring (“Fall 3”) season, the Melrose High boy’s swim team has returned to their fall 2021 season having already picked up a win thanks to a 96-63 victory over Burlington on Dec. 9 at Malden High School. What’s more, Melrose has already qualified a few athletes to States. Done, and done.
Melrose also has a new home base. After many many years at the Melrose YMCA they are now based out of Malden High School which affords them two additional lanes to train and host meets in.
Leading the team this year are captains Nick Sasso and Andrew DiFiore. Melrose head coach Alex Pennachio is confident in his experienced leaders. “Nick has been with us since sophomore year and specializes in the 500 free and 200 free. He’s done a great job getting this team ready adn organized. And Andrew is a talented swimmer who has already qualified. He makes an impact.”
In fact, Andrew DiFiore and Ben Terentiyev have already qualified for Sectionals and States just after one meet against Burlington. DiFiore will represent Melrose in the 50 free and 100 free. Terentiyev continues to wow since his abbreviated first swim season last spring. This year, he’s expected to step it up even further. “Ben is also an impact swimmer and was the minute he started. He swims year-round and brings so much to the team.” So far he’s qualified for the 100 breast and 200 IM and, like Fiore, there’s surely more to come.
Joining them on the roster are Damian Am, Owen Brodeur, Owen Erilli, Arthur Hitchman, Zach Hunnicutt, Gabriel Hunnicutt, William Lowe, Nikolai Mohan, Daniel Muller and Jonah Peters. “We’re a fairly new team,” reports Pennachio. “Fifty percent of our roster are freshman, but we also have many experienced swimmers who are underclassmen that will keep us very competitive.”
Indeed. Against Burlington, Melrose enjoyed many first-place finishes to help the Red Raiders swim to victory. First place results were had by Andrew DiFiore (50 free 100 free) Nick Sasso (200 free, 500 free) William Lowe (100 fly) and Ben Terentiyev (200IM 100 Breast). Melrose’s relay teams also scored big with first-place finishes by their 200 medley, 400 free relay and 200 free relay. Melrose came in first in the 200 medley behind the work of William Lowe, Ben Terentiyev, Arthur Hitchman, Andrew DeFiore, and that put Melrose up 8-0. Melrose took a 59-40 lead after their 200 free relay team of Terentiyev, Gabe Hannicutt, Nick Sasso and Andrew DiFiore. And the team of Gabe Hannicutt, Arthur Hitchman, William Lowe and Nick Sasso prevailed in the 400 free to help Melrose clinch the meet, 96-63.
Several solid top-three scores were logged in by new swimmers such as Arthur Hitchman (2nd in 100 fly) Gabe Hannicutt (2nd in 100 breast) Gabe Hannicutt (3rd in 200 IM) and Owen Erelli (3rd in 200 free). Melrose’s 400 free relay team Zach Hannicutt, Owen Erelli, Dan Muller and Owen Brodeur also placed a solid second.
Behind this cumulative work, it was an impressive league win that will hopefully set the tone for this season. Says Pennachio, “Our goal is to get as many people qualified for sectionals and states, and of course, to work on getting faster and stronger in practice.”
Melrose will host Lynnfield on Thursday, Dec. 16 (post-deadline) and pick up the new year with a Jan 8 meet against Reading at the Burbank YMCA.
