Twice as nice: Two Freedom champs crowned

Wakefield girls’ and boys’ track teams raise league banners

Published in the May 11, 2018 edition.

By DAN PAWLOWSKI

STONEHAM — Saying the Warriors traveled to Stoneham on Tuesday looking for a perfect 5-0 regular season record and a Freedom Division championship, isn’t completely accurate. You have to specify which Warriors you’re talking about.

It just so happened that both the WMHS girls’ and boys’ track and field teams were in the same exact position as they competed at Stoheham High.

This was the first time in Wakefield High School history that both spring track and field teams were league champions.

“I am really proud of both teams and feel lucky that I get the opportunity to work with both teams,” said Wakefield boys’ head coach Ruben Reinoso. “Our assistant coaches have done a great job of making sure our kids were prepared for every meet.”

Girls beat Spartans, 82-54 for three-peat

The Wakefield girls’ team had to reset their focus after a grueling victory against Melrose last week which set them up to win the outdoor Freedom Division for the third year in a row with a win over Stoneham.

“After a hard-fought victory over Melrose my team had one more hurdle to clinch the title outright,” said girls’ head coach Karen Barrett. “I knew it would be tough, but my girls were in it to win it and they did just that.”

Lillian Jones ran a great race in the 400 hurdles taking 2nd with a PR of 71.5. Jones scored Wakefield’s only point in the 100 hurdles, getting a 3rd running17.8. Jones also placed 3rd in the triple jump with a 30’4” jump. 

Olivia Lucey and Audrey Schopperle took 1st and 2nd in the mile.  Lucey ran a 5:30 and Schopperle ran a PR of 5:39. 

“Both girls ran fantastic,” said Barrett.  

Lucey also placed 3rd in the 400 with a 65.9. The Warriors scored four points in the high jump with Adriana Minasian and Olivia Fetherston jumping 4’10”. Fetherston also finished 3rd in the long jump with a 15’7” jump. Minasian came up big in the triple jump, winning the event with a 31’4”. 

“That was a great effort,” said Barrett of Minasian. 

Allee Purcell scored 15 points for the Warriors, taking first place in the 100, 400 and long jump.  She ran a PR of 12.3 in the 100, a 61.5 in the 400, and broke her own school record in the long jump with a 16’8” jump. 

“She was absolutely awesome,” said Barrett.

Ana Lucas had a great day placing 2nd in the long jump, 100 and 200.  She jumped a 15’7” in the long jump and got a PR in the 100 with a 12.7 and a PR in the 200 with a 27.1. 

“I was really proud of the way she stepped up for the team today,” said Barrett of Lucas.

Eadeen Beck once again took 1st in the discus and shot put.  She threw a 86’6”, and a 32’4”. 

“She always comes to compete and did a great job today,” said Barrett. 

Sophmore Rachel Cook came up huge in the javelin.  She threw a 10 foot PR to win the event and qualify for states.

“Her 97’ throw was outstanding under pressure,” said Barrett. “I am really proud of how she competed today.”

Sarah Labiad had a phenomenal day running.  She won the 200 with a 26.7 and took 3rd in the 100 with a PR of 12.9. 

Elina Olmedo ran a gutsy 800 to get second place with a time of 2:34. Isabella Kehoe got a 3rd with a 2:38.  “Both girls went after it and ran great,” said Barrett.

Retta Carroll and Shannon Driscoll ran the 2 mile, getting 2nd and 3rd.  Carroll PR’d with a 12:43 and Driscoll ran a 12:51. 

“These two girls are very tough competitors,” said Barrett. “I was really happy with their effort.”

The 4×100 relay team was outstanding, winning the event with a 52.4. The girls on that team were Bridget Noell, Olivia Cameron, Reignyah Grant and Ava Vaughan. 

“I could not be prouder of the tremendous effort and attitude my team put forth,” said Barrett.  “My captains are great leaders and it really showed. We will now prepare for the State meet.”

Boys leave no doubt with 105-31 win

The boys’ team, understanding the excellent opportunity in front of them, came through in Stoneham with a huge victory, sealing their fate as the 2018 Freedom Division outdoor track and field champions. 

“Every year our goal is the same, we just want to improve on every aspect of the sport,” said coach Reinoso. “We don’t talk about wins or losses, we talk about doing the little things right everyday and we feel if we can do the little things right, winning takes care of itself.”

That was certainly the case on Tuesday as each teammate played their part to make sure that this 2018 team would be remembered forever.

Senior Sam Morey had a big PR (15.7) in the 110 hurdles. It was the fastest time Wakefield has had in the event in almost 10 years, and the second fastest in Wakefield history behind current record holder Cam Mitchell.

Joe Carmilia-Smith had a big PR of 145’4” in the javelin as the senior seems to improve on every throw in each meet.

Freshman Tucker Stikeman ran a big PR of 62.0 in the 400 meter hurdles and got his first 1st place finish. It was the fastest time ever recorded for a Wakefield freshman in the event and Stikeman is now just .05 away from qualifying for states, which would be another first for a freshman.

Senior David Lee ran a big PR of 10:23.7 in the two mile. The Warriors swept the event as Matt Greatorex (10:28.6) and Trevor Zupan (11:01) finished 2nd and 3rd.

Patrick Redmond, coming off his first-place finish and personal best throw of 51’11” in the Twilight Invitational last week, finished first in Stoneham with a 47’6” in the shot put. Redmond got first in the discus with a 121’7”.

Charlie Senior got 3rd in the shot (38’7”) and 2nd in the discus (115’7”).

Carter Margolis took home first in the mile (4:46.6) finishing just ahead of teammate Tanner Jellison (4:48.2). Jellison would get his own first-place finish in the 400 meters (53.2).

Marc Biennestin picked up two more first-place finishes in the long jump (19’11.25”) and the 100 meters (11.4). Trevor Noble got 2nd in the long jump (18’6.5”) and MyKease Driggers got 2nd in the 100 (11.7).

Riley Brackett got first in the 800 meters with a PR of.2:08.6.

Brian Smith got first in the 200 with a 22.8.

Both the 4×100 (Driggers, Henry Stikeman, Jared Hurley, Brian Smith) and the 4×400 (Margolis, Ryan Ritchie, Matt Roberto, Ryan Smith) relay teams got first.

Overall, it was another excellent accomplishment for a team that consistently earns contention for championships. The boys won the “triple crown” this year as they got league titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor. 

“We don’t take anything for granted, we know the hard work it takes every year to have the opportunity to compete for a league title,” said Reinoso. “Now we prepare for the postseason.”

Both the girls’ and the boys’ teams will head back to North Reading High School to compete in the Div. 3 State Meet on Saturday, May 26.