Published April 12, 2019
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Red Raider outdoor track team has returned to its spring season and it looks like Mother Nature is cooperating as their start their 2019 campaign.
THE RED RAIDER outdoor track team looks to take flight this spring. (file photo)
This year they will be lead by quad captains Nate Monges, Liam Rittenburg, John Fortier, Jerry Murphy and Liam Rittenburg. Each brings a specialty that helps them mentor underclassmen in distance, sprinting and field events. Monges is a standout sprinter, Fortier a talented shot put thrower and Murphy is one of the team’s most talented distance runners. Liam Rittenburg, meanwhile, went undefeated in the 400 hurdles last year. All four, says coach Tim Morris, bring something unique to the track. “They’ve all grown into great leaders. They really work hard with the younger members of the team and all bring something really good to the team.”
Melrose’s distance running has been a strength the last few seasons and that is the case in 2019. Among those who will keep Melrose competitive in the event are Charlie DeMayo, Ryan Cutugno and Matt Fox.
Melrose’s relay teams are also a fearsome unit. Look for a grouping of Jessie Gardiner, Alex Brincheiro, Fabrice Francois and Nate Monges to vie for postseason qualification. Brincheiro can be expected to go a long way in the triple jump, an event he’s focused on since starting freshmen year, along with the high jump, an event that Gardiner and Rittenberg will compete in. Look for Fabrice Francois to do nicely in the long jump.
Melrose will look to get a Freedom League win when they travel to Stoneham this week on Wednesday (post deadline) before hosting Watertown on April 23.
