Recent win over Wilmington has Melrose 4-1
Published in the January 19, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls’ track team continues to win, most recently on January 9 with a 56.50-34.50 victory over the Wilmington Wildcats at Boston University. At 4-1 Melrose now enters Championship season, and are keeping their targets locked on the 2018 Middlesex League Championships in a few short weeks where they look to solidify themselves as a premiere ML team.
Coach Shannon Kane spoke proudly of the team’s effort this season, the best in several years. “This means a lot to our seniors, to prove among the best in the league. It’s the best record they’ve had since they started as freshmen. It’s exciting.”
THE MELROSE girls indoor track team (5-1) continued their near-flawless season with a victory over Wilmington last week. (Donna Larsson photo)
The only thing separating Melrose from an undefeated dual meet season was a close loss to Stoneham that came down to a technicality. But in a few shorts weeks Melrose can avenge that when they participate in the annual Middlesex League Meet.
On January 9, Melrose certainly gave notice that they are a team to beat when they battled Wilmington and prevailed in victory. The Lady Raiders started strong with an impressive win in the 55 meter by sophomore Lucia Seide, whose 7.67 time nearly topped all Middlesex League competition, but her overall second place finish easily bested Wilmington. Melrose swept the event against the Wildcats, with Nora Day and Kaleya Casterglow placing second and third in the event and Kelsey Rowe nabbing the fourth spot for Melrose.
Giovanna dos Santos Macha took the top spot in the 300 dash followed by Liz Perrella and Jenna Thorpe for another Melrose sweep. Sarah Herron looked strong in the 600 with an impressive 1:45 finish (5th) while teammates Selah Russell and Lillian Lawlor followed. In the one mile, Melrose took the top two spots behind Alex Cutugno and Mykayla Olwert. Melrose also took the top two spots in the 2 mile, with Katie Duffy nearly topping the whole field, in number 2 at 12:10.78, and according to her coach, just five seconds away from State qualification. Melrose also took the second spot in the event with Marissa Zelton coming in at second. Melrose always swept the top four spots in the 55 hurdles behind Grace Donahue, Kaiya Thompson, Serena Debari and Mia Catalini.
Melrose’s 4×200 relay team placed first behind the legs of Kaleya Casterlow, Nora Daly, Giovanna Dos Santos Manca and Lucia Siede. Wilmington took the 4×400 relay and the high jump event, but Melrose dominated in the long jump, swept by Lucia Siede (2nd among all) with a very impressive 16-01.75 jump, followed by Elsa Brodin (a talented exchanged student) and Kaleya Casterlow. Melrose also swept the shot put behind the work of Chelsea Otaluka, Grace Solomon and captain Jade Uzzle.
As they finish their dual meet season, Melrose has qualified three athletes in individual events – Lucia Seide and Nora Daly in the in the 55 dash and Giovanna Dos Santos Manca in the 300m. Their 4×200 team is one second away from qualifying.
This weekend, Melrose will compete in the Div. 4 State Coaches Relay at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. Look for the team of Kate Bidgood, Jenna Thorpe, Alyssa Champagne and Sarah Herron to run the 4×400 and Kaleya Casterlow, Nora Daly, Giovanna Dos Santos Manca and Lucia Siede to compete in the 4×200.
Coach Kane likes her chances. “As a whole we are coming together as a team. These girls motivate each other and are so supportive of each other during competition it has been a huge ingredient to our success.”
