Best of boys’ & girls’ teams qualified for Nike Finals in Oregon
Member of the MHS boys’ and girls’ spring outdoor track teams traveled to he 2024 Nike National Outdoor track finals last weekend in Eugene, Oregon. Pictured with coach Shannon Kane are top left Sam O’Donnell, Adam Caldwell, Matt Sarnoski, Jovan Ssebugwawo (bottom) Kate Leeman, Cadence L’Heueux, Amy Rowe, Emma Drago and Reilly Powell. (Missing from photos: Maizie Frakt and Caleb Barnes)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
OREGON—Eleven members from both the Melrose High boys’ and girls’ spring outdoor track teams traveled to compete against the nation’s best at the 2024 Nike National Outdoor track finals last weekend in Eugene, Oregon, after qualifying during their high school seasons.
Those who made the trek included Caleb Barnes along with the 4×400 relay team of Matt Sarnoski, Jovan Ssebugwawo, Sam O’Donnell, and Adam Caldwell. On the girls’ side, they were represented by Reilly Powell, Cadence L’Heureux and the relay teams of Maizie Frakt, Reilly Powell, L’Heureux and Amy Rowe and the relay team of Katie Leeman, Emma Drago, Amy Rowe, and Cadence L’Heureux.
“Eleven members from the boys and girls team attended Nationals this year, the most I’ve ever had in my 9 years of coaching,” says Melrose girls’ head coach Shannon Kane, who made the trek with the athletes.
The results were impressive. Melrose’s 4×800 relay team Maizie Frakt, Reilly Powell, Cadence L’Heureux, and Amy Rowe became national medalists by placing 5th with a time of 9:52 in the 4×800 relay, beating their own best time. “They had run their fastest time (9:56) a few weeks before at the Massachusetts All State Meet, and just kept breaking their personal bests this weekend,” reports coach Kane. “In their rubber duck uniforms, the announcers referred to them as the Melrose Rubber Ducks throughout their very hard-fought race.”
The fleet footed quartet had enjoyed a second-place lead for most of the race, and were passed just at the end, says their coach. “They were 5th overall, giving them a podium spot and well-deserved medals that they worked their butts off for this season.”
Melrose had even more to tout with a boy’s race that resulted in a national ranking for Melrose standout Caleb Barnes in the 5k (3.1 miles) with his time of 15:16. With his 28th overall finish in Eugene, he is now ranked #78 in the entire country.
“Caleb had a tough indoor season, being injured and not being able to run at his full potential,” says coach Kane. “But he worked so hard to get healthy again and came back this outdoor season better than he’s ever been. He ran the mile and two-mile for both huge personal records from his past two years in high school. His amazing two-mile time not only got him into the Meet of Champions but qualified him for the 5k.”
Barnes’ teammates’ efforts were equally impressive. The reigning 4×400 Div. 4 state champion quartet of Matt Sarnoski, Jovan Ssebugwawo, Sam O’Donnell, and Adam Caldwell ran the 4×400 relay in a time of 3:28, placing 9th overall, after remarkable title- clinching showing at States which had qualified them for this prestigious race.
A proud coach Shannon Kane celebrated these state champions’ season. “This is the first boys relay to go to Nationals since the DMR team went back in 2017,” she says. “And this was Adam’s second time attending Nationals. He went last year as a freshman in the 800. This was sadly Sam’s last track race of his career (way to go out with a bang!) and we’re hoping this will convince Jovan will run next year at Fitchburg State, along with playing soccer.”
JUST DUCKY. Melrose’s 4×800 relay team Maizie Frakt, Reilly Powell, Cadence L’Heureux, and Amy Rowe became national medalists by placing 5th at the Nike National Outdoor Track Finals. (courtesy photo)
Over on the girls’ side, keep your eye out for Reilly Powell, a mere freshman who qualified and competed in the Steeple Chase. In just her second time running this race, she finished in 7:46 placing 34th overall. “Reilly also qualified for the freshman mile but couldn’t make it out in time since she had to finish up her final exams,” notes her coach. “Reilly was also a member of our 5th place medaling 4×800 team.”
Melrose’s standout Cadence L’Heureux also competed individually when she ran the 400 hurdles in 1:07, only two seconds off of her PR, placing 21st out of 38. The tireless L’Heureux is the only member of the girls’ team that ran in 3 different races (400h, 4×8 and 4×4). “This is the 2nd year in a row Cadence went to nationals for the 400 hurdles, and her 4th time attending Nationals in her high school track career.” Quite a feat for a runner who still has more high school track ahead of her.
Finally, the youthful 4×400 relay team of Katie Leeman, Emma Drago, Amy Rowe, and Cadence L’Heureux ran in the 4×400 relay with a time of 4:15, placing 11th overall. It was even more impressive as they only had one senior (Rowe) on the team and will no doubt be a threat in coming seasons. Says Kane, “While the girls may have been disappointed they didn’t medal again, I was so proud of them for going out there, running their hearts out, and conquering such a big fear of running with other amazing athletes on the national stage.”
Overall, it took a lot of training, sacrifice and fundraising to get these high school runners thousands of miles away to compete on the highest stage.
“It really was an amazing time and amazing way to cap off such a great season for both the boys’ and girls’ teams,” says coach Kane. “After all of the grueling workouts we put them through this season, they are so deserving of this.”
