UNLIKE LAST year, when indoor athletes competed outside, Melrose High’s track teams have competed in Boston three times already. (file photo)
Girls remain unbeaten, boys narrowly edged
By JENNIFER GENTILE
BOSTON—The Melrose High indoor track teams took part in a Middlesex League meet against Wakefield on Dec. 30 at Boston University. It was a split result as the girls team took a clutch 52-48 victory over the Warriors to improve their season to 3-0 and the boy’s team fell just short and remain 2-1 on the season.
For the girls, it was an overall solid effort as Melrose started things off with a clean sweep in the 300m behind the work of Katie Sikkema (1st), Autumn Whelan (2nd) and Amy Rowe (3rd) Melrose enjoyed several first-place finishes including Julia McAree, who prevailed in both the 55 hurdles and high jump, Autumn Whelan in the 600m and Charlotte Tysall in the 1000m. Melrose also showed particular depth in the long jump with a first-place finish by Sofia Weissman and a second-place finish by Meghan Radzik. Melrose also had a 1-2 finish in the shot put thanks to Charlotte Tysall and Anna Spinale.
The win comes on the heels of their previous victory against Watertown on Dec. 23. Melrose saw a clean sweep in the 300 thanks to Kate Sikkema, Amy Rowe and Ellie Deeble and a clean sweep of the 600 behind the work of Autumn Whelan, Darby Thompson and Ava Picone. First place winners also included Charlotte Tysall in the mile, with teammate Maizie Frakt third, and another winner was Julia McAree in the high jump and hurdles, with teammates Rory Kirby and Sofia Sullivan right behind her. McAree also celebrated a first-place finish in the high jump while teammate Charlotte Tysall prevailed in the shot put.
Melrose will next battle a competitive Burlington team this Thursday (post-deadline) before taking on Wilmington next Thursday.
Boy’s team improves to 2-1
The Melrose High boys indoor track team remains a strong 2-1 in the ML Freedom League after a narrow loss to Wakefield on Dec. 30 at Boston University when they competed in the Middlesex League Block 3 meet. However, it followed a solid win over Watertown on Dec. 23.
Despite the loss, Melrose saw some great times against Wakefield including first-place finishes by Matt Whelan, who prevailed in both the 300 and in the long jump and a first-place finish by Gabriel Buffonge in the 55 hurdles. Other top finishes included Tyler Lacomte (2nd 55m), Trentyn Hodges (2nd, 300), Will Dugan (2nd, 1 mile), Alex Cutogno (2nd, 1000m) and Elis lourilli-Hough (2nd, 2 mile). Melrose also showed strength in the shot put behind the work of Jack Claeys (second) and JD LaBarbera (3rd.) Russell O’Donnell also placed third in the 600. Melrose’s 4×200 relay team of Matt Whelan, Trentyn Hodge, Gabriel Buffonge and Tyler Lecomte also came in first with a time of 1:42.12.
Melrose’s previous win over Watertown saw several first-place finishes and in the case of the 55 dash, a sweep in the top four places behind Tyler Lecomte, Jack Morrissey, Matt Whelan and Keegan Maloney. Will Dugan dropped jaws with a victory in the 1000m that had him 2nd in the entire ML field. Melrose also topped Watertown in the 1 mile behind Ryan Cutogno and Ellis llourili-Hough. Russell O’Donnell placed first in the 600 and Erik Hall 3rd. Gabe Buffonge was 1st in the 55 hurdles and Caleb Barnes first in the 2 mile. Also providing victorious was the 4×200 relay team of Matt Whelan, Trentyn Hodges, Tyler Lecomte and Keegan Maloney.
Melrose takes on Burlington this Thursday (post-deadline) before they face Wilmington next Thursday.
