MHS TRACK runners are ready to go. This weekend both the boys’ and girls’ outdoor track teams will take part in the Div. 3 State Meet at Durfee High. (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — Qualified members of the Melrose High School boys and girls outdoor track teams are heading to the Division 3 State Meet this Sunday at Durfee High, a meet in which a number of Melrose athletes could place among top spots.
On the boys’ side, look for senior captain Will Caffey to battle with the best in two events, one of them the 200 meter run. Caffey qualified in the event with his best time of 22.2 which puts him in an upper echelon of runners. Caffey also will compete in the long jump after qualifying with a 21-9, also a top finish among a crowded division field. Just this year the speedy Caffey singed to play football with Colby College and in June will represent Melrose in the Shriners All star Classic.
Caffey also will serve as anchor on Melrose’s 4×100 relay team with fellow teammates, captain Tim Zhang, Will Brincheiro and Jhiriq Tyler, who will also run in the 100 meter dash, an event Tyler qualified for this season.
Distance has been a defining strength for Melrose this spring, thus it’s no surprise that three Red Raiders will compete in the two mile after qualifying this season: junior Robbie Hanlon and sophomores Kevin Wheelock (at 10:01) and Adam Cook (at 10:06). Both Wheelock and Cook’s times could keep them within medal contention.
Also look for Sean Conlan, Griffin Barriss and Joe Brach to run the 4×800 relay with one of the team’s two milers.
On the girls’ side, look for Middlesex League champs Maddie Oro, Shaylyn McCarthy and Anne Morrison to contend for some top spots in their events. Oro will look to medal in the high jump along with teammate Haley Moss. Morrison should fare nicely in the long jump as well as the 100 dash and 200 dash. McCarthy will look to out-throw opponents in the shot put and discus.
Also representing Melrose is Emily Donovan in the triple jump and Elizabeth Hirsch in the mile and two mile. Melrose has qualified three relay teams, including the 4X100 relay- team of Emily Bertolaccini, Aevary Smith, Lauren Cincotta and Gifty Brisbane, the 4X400 relay team of Maddie Oro, Lizzy Hirsch, Caroline Nolan, Emily Donovan and the 4X800 relay team of Hollis Cohan, Elizabeth Hirsch, Emily Donovan and Barbara Kosco.
Shotgun time on Sunday at Durfee High starts at 10 a.m.
