Melrose edges the Red Devils, 64-38

Published April 2, 2021

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose High girls swim team picked up their first win of the season in an exciting 64-38 victory over a competitive Burlington team on March 25. Melrose saw distance and relay events come up big as swam their way to a win. 

It started in the 200 IM, an event they clinched first place in thanks to the efforts of Milania Saggese, Grace Haseltine, Demya Allen and Courtney Casey. They topped the race with a time of 2:16.75. Melrose’s other team of Emilia Rahilly, Audrey Methot, Noelle L’Heurux and Andrea Mortimer placed third with a nice time of 2:335.56. 

Melrose also enjoyed a 1-2 punch in the 200 IM, thanks to Emilia Rahilly (first at 2:39.56) and Milania Saggese, second at 2:44.13. Melorse’s Madeleine Brodeur and Noelle L’Heureux placed second and third respectively in the 200 free, earning points to keep Melrose ahead, 17-10. Melrose also had a strong showing in the 50 free by grabbing the 2-4 spots in the 50 free, thanks to Kerri Stoelzel, Courtney Casey and Audrey Methot, who placed in that order. Representing Melrose in the 100 free were Grace Haseltine and Emilia Rahilly, who placed second and third respectively, while Randi Sullivan and Courtney Casey helped wrap up the night with solid swims in the 500.  

Demya Allen had a great swim in the 100 butterfly, placing first with a time of 1:19.61, and  Madeleine Brodeur also came in first in the 500 freestyle, giving Melrose a hefty lead of 52-35 and a final score of 64-38. 

It was an overall team effort that Melrose coach Bryan Meeghan was proud of. “I think we are finding our groove now that we’ve swam three meets. Everyone on the team dropped time in at least one of their events and five girls placed first in their individual events.” 

Given that this is a virtual meet season and there are COVID restrictions that make this season untraditional to say the least, Meeghan sees much to be happy about. “Despite all the challenges and limitations the girls are making big improvements and thats reflected in the win. We’re in a really good place moving on to our rematches over the next three weeks.”