Before dashing to prom, the Melrose girls and Wakefield boys raced to MSTCA Division 4 relay championships

Boston Globe

17-05-2025

'It's been an amazing year,' Melrose assistant coach Robin Loewald said. 'This is not our peak, I don't think, which is crazy.'
Melrose celebrates its triumph
— Trevor Hass (@TrevorHass)
The Red Hawks compiled 84 points, distancing themselves from Newburyport (63.5) and Pembroke (63) in a dominant all-around effort.
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On the boys' side, Wakefield cruised with 100 points, claiming its fourth straight state relays title between indoor and outdoor. Next up was Burlington (70.5) and Pembroke (65).
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'This is the hardest meet to win,' Wakefield coach Ruben Reinoso said. 'We knew we were very talented, but I think they stepped up even more from our expectations. That's just been unbelievable.'
JaMauri Belmer helped Wakefield stir up a fourth-straight relay title with his work in the long jump.
Debee Tlumacki
The Warriors have thrived this spring even without a home track (under repair). They've had to get creative, using the football and softball fields, fieldhouse, gymnastics room, hallways, and even other schools to get in the necessary work.
They believe the adjustments have made them closer, as the carpools have boosted camaraderie and cohesion.
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'This group of kids is amazing,' Wakefield senior captain Adam Levy said. 'If you look around, every single kid's got a medal, for the most part. It was a full team effort. I think it was perfect, in my opinion. I'm just so happy it ended up this way.'
The Wakefield 4x400-meter relay set a meet record (3:26:57), the sprint medley relay also won (3:35.78), and the pole vault placed 1-3-4 to highlight a balanced performance.
The Melrose girls placed first in the 4x200 (1:47.97), 4x1600 (22:27.25), and distance medley relay (12:46.85) to spearhead the triumph.
The Melrose girls' track team celebrates its MSTCA Division 4 relay championship.
Trevor Hass
They did so with their coach, Shannon Kane, in mind, as she had to miss the meet due to a graduation. For a program that saw its roster balloon from 70 athletes last year to 90 this year, this was another sign of how far the Red Hawks have come.
'We were the underdogs, and we came through,' senior Sofia Papatsoris said.
The Wakefield boys' track team celebrates its second relay title of 2025.
Trevor Hass
It was also an eventful day for the host Titans, who were the only school with top-three showings in both boys' and girls' competition. Many of the athletes competed, then hustled home to get ready for prom.
Pembroke senior Gabe Lamar, a member of the winning 4x200 team, said his plan was to rush home, take a five-minute shower, put his suit on, then pick up his date in a span of 30 minutes.
'Winning and then going to prom, there's no better feeling,' he said.
Wakefield's Brandon Nett takes the lead in the 4x1600 relay.
Debee Tlumacki
Pembroke's Raelin McMullen crosses the finish line in the 4x800 relay.
Debee Tlumacki
Wakefield's Riley Mitchell feels for the pole in the high jump.
Debee Tlumacki
She's safe! Burlington's Briana Thomas competes in the triple jump.
Debee Tlumacki
Pembroke's Luke Lamar gives it his all as he crosses the finish line in the 4x200 relay.
Debee Tlumacki
It was a competitive field in the 4x800 relay, with no one finding separation early.
Debee Tlumacki
Melrose's Charlie Finocchiaro clears the last hurdle in the 4x110 shuttle hurdles.
Debee Tlumacki
Foxborough's Kameron Rice stretches to reach the finish line in the 4x100 relay.
Debee Tlumacki
Newburyport's Lucy Buchmayr clears the final hurdle in the 4x100 shuttle hurdles race.
Debee Tlumacki
Trevor Hass can be reached at