Boys’ track and field beats Burlington for huge win
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — It was a little cold and far too early in the season to have a meet determine the league champions, but the Wakefield boys’ track and field team were in midseason form against the toughest competition in the Freedom Division.
Following the lead of their upperclassmen who no doubt knew how important it would be to beat the reigning league and state champion Red Devils at the Shaun Beasley Oval on Monday, Wakefield made a big statement with a 75-61 victory.
After Wakefield came in second to Burlington in both the league and states last year, both teams came ready to compete in the first meet of the 2018 outdoor season.
“We had some very good results for a first cold meet, but that is what Burlington will do to you,” said Wakefield head coach Ruben Reinoso. “The kids were really focused from start to finish and we were able to beat a very good team.”
Matt Greatorex ran a very fast time in the 800 meters for this early in the season. The captain stepped up with a 2:02 finish, which was 3.5 seconds ahead of the second-plash finisher from Burlington.
Senior Marc Biennestin was edged out in the high jump by Burlington’s Michael Pavao who needed a lifetime personal best to beat him. Biennestin still put on a show by clearing 6’2 and he would later come back to win the long jump, while also being a part of the first-place 4×100 relay team along with captain Henry Stikeman, Joe Carmilia-Smith and Mykease Driggers.
After taking first in the shot put, (48’2) captain Patrick Redmond saved the best for last in order to win the discus with a towering 118’11/2. Wakefield’s Charlie Senior got 2nd with a 115’8 throw.
The Warriors swept the mile with senior Riley Brackett (4:39.9) leading the way, followed by Rohan Singhvi (4:42) and Carter Margolis (4:44.1).
Brian Smith had a tough double in the 400 and 200 meters. He ran a blazing time in the 400 (52.2) to take first for Wakefield and came back about ten minutes later to run a 23.5 for second in the 200.
Tommy Galvin came back in the triple jump after being behind in jumps to win the event with a 38’5 1/2 leap.
Sam Morey ran a fast 16.8 in the 110 hurdles to win the event.
Nick Connor got second in the 400 hurdles.
Carmilia-Smith got second in the javelin with a 125’4 throw.
Wakefield also got second and third in both the two mile and the 100 meters. Stikeman (11.9) and Ryan Obear (12.0) got second and third in the 100, while Tommy Lucey (10:18.7) and Matt Roberto (10:31.7) nabbed the final two spots in the two mile.
In the end, it was an impressive win that certainly has the Warriors encouraged for what they are capable of accomplishing this season.
“All in all it was a complete team effort,” said Reinoso. “I am really proud of our team and coaches and they deserve all the credit.”
Wakefield travels to Watertown tomorrow at 3:45 p.m.
