Boys’ track fighting through elements; ready for outdoor season

Warriors host reigning league champion Burlington Monday

Published in the April 4, 2018 edition

By DAN PAWLOWSKI

WAKEFIELD — With stubborn snow and rain continuing its quest to slow down the Wakefield boys’ track team, the Warriors can be found on the wet Shaun Beasley Oval, pushing through the elements in preparation for the start of the 2018 outdoor season.

Wakefield has no choice. Their biggest competition, not only in the Middlesex League, but at states as well, is coming to town on Monday. The Warriors finished second to Burlington in the league and in states last year, so Wakefield must be ready to go immediately if they want to accomplish their season-long goals.

“Our boys are hungry and looking to compete for a league and state title,” said head coach Ruben Reinoso. “We return a lot of kids from a 4-1 team last year which also went the wire with Burlington.”

THE BOYS outdoor track and field team have taken advantage of their few chances to get outside during the preseason. Wakefield is preparing to host reigning champion Burlington on Monday. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

The Warriors will have a record number of student-athletes (about 90) ready to contribute to the cause.

Wakefield will follow the lead of their four captains, seniors Patrick Redmond, Matt Greatorex, Henry Stikeman and Tommy Lucey. It’s an experienced and competitive group who have accomplished plenty during their four years of track and field at WMHS.

Redmond will lead the way in the field events. After not losing a single league meet in the shot put during the indoor season this year, the Warriors are hoping he continues his dominance in the shot put and discus.

Charlie Senior is another returning, veteran discus thrower who had a lot of success during the outdoor season last year.

Liam Cosgrove will also compete in the discus and shot put.

As for the javelin, the Warriors will have no shortage of competitors.

CAPTAIN Henry Stikeman (left) and classmate Marc Biennestin will lead Wakefield’s sprinters this outdoor season. (Donna Larsson File Photo)

“We have a lot of kids trying out for the javelin so we hope to score big points in that event,” said Reinoso.

In the distance events, Greatorex and Lucey will lead the way with the help of Riley Brackett, Rohan Singhvi, Billy Stevens, Casey Brackett, Nick Connors, Matt Roberto, Tanner Jellison, Carter Margolis, Ryan Smith and Trevor Zupan. 

“Our distance team has been top in the state the past several years so we are looking for them to have a big outdoor season,” said Reinoso.

Sam Morey, Tommy Galvin and new-comer Eli Gosslin-Smoske will be competing in the 110 hurdles. Ryan Ritchie, Tucker Stikeman and Nick Connor are Wakefield’s 400 meter hurdlers.

In the jumps, the Warriors will lean on Marc Biennestin, Joe Carmilia-Smith, Tommy Galvin, Sam Morey, Jared Hurley and Trevor Noble. Wakefield will be especially strong in the long jump where they return two of the athletes who helped them win the state long jump relay last season.

CAPTAIN Patrick Redmond will lead the Warriors in the shot put and discus this outdoor season. Redmond is coming off an indoor season in which he won the shot put at each league meet. (Donna Larsson File Photo)

The Warrior jumpers will also get a boost from new-comer Jon Jordan, a senior transfer who has shown a lot of promise in practice.

In the sprinting events, Henry Stikeman, Brian Smith, Joe Carmilia-Smith, Marc Biennestin, Jared Hurley and Ryan Obear will lead the charge. Stikeman, Carmilia-Smith, Biennestin and Obear will compete in the 100, 200 and the reigning state champion 4×100 relay, a team in which the Warriors return a lot of members. The versatile Smith and Hurley will do anything from the 100, 200, 400, 4×100 and 4×400 relay.

Wakefield’s coaching staff will include Perry Pappas (distance), Justin Berry (throws/strength and conditioning), Gregg Gibbs (sprints/javelin/strength and conditioning), Anthony LaFratta (relays/jumps), and Elias Reinoso (hurdles/jumps).

All together they will hope to help Wakefield to another successful outdoor season, and even though outdoor practice is currently at a premium, the Warriors will be ready to defend their home track against their biggest rivals on Monday.