Melrose finishes 3rd straight unbeaten season
Published April 23, 2021
By JENNIFER GENTILE
WAKEFIELD—The Melrose High girl’s track team are on a 18-meet winning streak and have secured their third consecutive Middlesex Freedom title by beating Wakefield last Saturday to finish a complete sweep of the league and sole ownership of the ML Freedom title. Melrose is now nearing a 20 meet unbeaten streak dating back to 2018. The graduating seniors on this team will go out this season hardly knowing what losing is.
it was clear skies on Saturday at the Shaun F. Beasley track in Wakefield when Melrose beat their host Warriors by a score of 66-34.
‘It felt a lot closer,” says Melrose head coach Shannon Kane after the meet. She has spearheaded three straight titles for Melrose. And right now, she and the team are savoring it.
“This title has extra meaning because of the challenges these girls have had to deal with this year,” says Kane. “We’re competing during COVID-19. Nothing is normal. We’re an inside sport playing outside. There are no states to qualify for, plus we lost a lot of seniors. So for them to rise to the occasion and win the league unbeaten is fantastic. This finally feels normal.”
Melrose wept the 55 hurdles led by Kaiya Thompson, who was first, followed by Grace Donohue and Kate Bidgood. The team also had great success in field events, sweeping in both the high hump and long jump. Taking the high jump were Mollie Lytje, Sofia Weissman and Ellie Sweeney. And in the long jump, Melrose swept behind work of Kaiya Thompson, Sofia Weissman and Ella DeCecca. Melrose also swept the 300 behind the work of Hailey Keegan, Alyssa Champagne and Katie Sikkema. Melrose’s Jillian Bakey won the two mile. And Melrose’s relay teams helped clinch the day with first place victories. Winning 4×200 were Alyssa Champagne, Grace Donohue, Adriana Centrella and Meg Radzik. And in the 4×400 Melrose prevailed for Sofia Weissman, Ella Flemming, Sydney Kroon and Katie Sikkema.
What Melrose’s efforts have proven, during this most unusual season, is a love for the sport that has shone through. Says Kane, “We’re asking more athletes to step out of their comfort zone to fill holes. Those that really are committed to track have stood out and helped us achieve this. We’re so proud.”
Led by captains Ella DeCecca, Ella Flemming, Grace Donohue and Alyssa Champagne, Melrose has kept a laser focus on success this season. “My seniors leaving here are 19-1 in wins,” says coach Kane. “It’s been an incredible reign of success. Our two Ellas are such great leaders who keep it light and work hard. Ella Flemming will continue her running career in college. Alyssa is a player who came on this team and immediately did damage. And, there are no words to describe Grace. She’s an amazing athlete, person, teammate. Someone I truly look up to.”
Kane also pointed out the longtime contribution of Kaiya Thompson. “She came into the sport as a freshmen and has been instrumental for us. She instantly qualified for states. This loss will be hard for us.”
Leaving indoor track are a big group of talented seniors that include their aforementioned captains and Megan Bidgood, Liz Casey, Adriana Centrella, Maeve Fogarty, Sydney Kroon, Lillian Lawlor, Morgan Maiani, Emily Mistretta, Chloe Orcutt, Kaiya Thompson and Marissa Zelten. “Some of our seniors will be competing as early as next week in spring track,” says Kane. “But we will lose other seniors to other sports, like Lizzy Casey, Maeve Fogarty to lacrosse…I want all the girls to know how grateful we are to them.”
