Swimmers bring home medals at Sectionals and states

THIS BAND of brothers finished one of their best swim seasons in many years for Melrose High and will return much talent next season. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)

BOSTON—It was a fine finish for the 2023-4 Melrose High boy’s swim team who sent almost a dozen swimmers to represent Melrose at the MIAA North Sectionals and later, the MIAA State Championship on Feb. 18, where they placed 16^th overall, their best showing in several years. 

Melrose athletes brought home the hardware, with several swimmers landing on the podium for their events. 

It was a big day for swimmers Jos Barayni and Ben Terentiyev, who collected a slew of medals at Sectionals and States in the last two weeks. 

Their coach, Alex Pennachio, noted their excellent performances. “Both swimmers had an amazing postseason. Both medaled twice at Sectionals (Jos 6th in 50 free and 4th in 100 free; Ben 6th in 200 IM and 5th in Breast.) Ben medaled twice at States (5th in the IM and 4th in the breast) and Jos was 10th in his events.”

“I think there was some shock from some of the bigger swim schools with how often Melrose was on the podium. Some of the teams that we beat at both meets had triple the amount of swimmers we did, but we had the stronger swims.”

The post season finishers for Melrose follow. 

Sectionals

Jos Barayni: 6^th 50 free, 4^th 100 free

Ben Terentiyev: 6^th 200IM, 5^th in 100 breast

States

Ben Terentiyev: 5^th 200IM, 4^th 100 breast 1:00.97

Jos Barayni: 10^th 50 free, 10^th 100 free

200 medley relay:

Gabe Hunnicutt, Ben Terentiyev, William, Jos Barayni. 14^th, 1:47.81

400 free:

Ben, William Lowe, Gabe Hunnicutt and Jos Barayni 17^th 3:34.

200 Free:

William Lowe, Sam Haseltine, Owen Molway, Gabe Hunnicutt 23^rd  

Depth prevailed for Melrose, in particular in their solid relay teams. 

Notes Pennachio, “We had six swimmers participate across the three relays this postseason. Ben Terentiyev, Jos Baranyi, Will Lowe, Gabe Hunnicutt, Owen Molway and Sam Haseltine. Every one of them were aggressive swimmers who were able to get the job done throughout the season.”

This is a very young and talented group who will return strong in 2025. “This season we went .500, which makes it the first non-losing season the boys swim team has had as far back as I can find, potentially since the 90s or earlier,” says the coach. “This is also the largest group of swimmers we have brought to the postseason since I became the coach in 2019. Next year we hope to beat both of those records, by winning more meets and qualifying more swimmers. We are only losing one swimmer, so I think there is a good possibility to achieve this goal.”