MELROSE EARNED medals at this week’s ML Meet. Pictured from left: Nick Sasso, Caleb Barnes, Stone Liu, Ellia lurilli-Hough, Will Dugan, Ryan Cotugno and Matt Fox. (courtesy photo)
MELROSE—The Melrose boys cross-country team finished their regular season on a high note as they beat Wilmington to close their regular season at 4-2, a record that included two close losses to top ranked teams Burlington and Wakefield. It was the team’s 3rd straight victory and second consecutive shutout as they garnered all 7 top spots in the meet to win 15-50.
On Monday they competed in the 2021 Middlesex League Meet and was able to medal in the varsity race. Melrose placed fifth overall. Among those who medaled for Melrose was Will Dugan (14th) and Ellis lurilli-Hough (15th). Other solid times in the race came from Ryan Cotugno, Matt Fox, Caleb Barnes, Stone Liu and Nick Sasso. Melrose also saw some great promise in the JV races with Ben Donovan representing Melrose’s best time at 18:31 (25th). Also running were Sam Chetkin, Peter Story, Christina Iannacone, Sean Mackey, Harrison Lee. Looking good in the freshman race were Emerson Blanchard, Jad Jamaleddine and Grady Kamosa.
Prior to that, Melrose enjoyed a shutout over the Wilmington Wildcats during their regular season finale. Melrose’s Ellis Iurilli-Hough continued his excellent season with a 16:40 time over the wet and hilly course as he picked up yet another first place. Standout freshman Caleb Barnes ran 16:53 to finish 2nd, his highest finish of his remarkable season. Ryan Cotugno finished his home course career by joining the elite few who have run under 17 minutes as he ran 16:55 for third. Senior Will Dugan was next in 17:08, followed by Matt Fox in 17:30. Stone Liu finished 6th in 17:42 and Nick Sasso ran 17:55 to add to Wilmington’s total. Also running personal best in the varsity race were Ben Donovan, 18:33, and JaBourd Woodson, 18:57.
“The team is getting better every week and we are in a good position to reach some even higher levels in both the league and state meets,” stated coach Kevin Allison. “The athletes are all looking forward to the challenging competition they are about to face.”
Melrose will compete in the Frank Mooney Coaches Invitational on Nov 6, and the Massachusetts Division 2A final on Nov. 13. The team is striving to be one of the top 7 teams in a field of 32 that day so that they qualify for the All State final on Nov. 20.
