The Medford High cross country team got a glimpse of greatness while hanging tough with the Golden Tornados, Oct. 2.
Matched up against two of the top team’s in the Greater Boston League, the Mustangs fell prey to its archrivals in both the girls and boys bracket, along the banks of the river at MacDonald Park.
Malden certainly lived up to its reputation with the girls team grounding Medford, 15-50.
“The girls ran hard, but Malden was the better team,” said Medford Coach Lou Ruggiero, whose club fell to 1-1 with the loss. “We had many of our girls run their season best times so that we are happy with.”
If facing off against the defending Greater Boston League champs wasn’t intimidating enough, the Medford girls team also had to contend with unseasonably warm 80 degree weather. The club did its best to beat the heat, however, while navigating through the 2.5-mile course.
Medford Co-Captain Jessica Brady led the girls with a sixth place finish (18:20), followed by Co-Captain Caroline Daly in seventh (18:27). Freshman Marie Galeback rounded out the 10. Carolyn Galeback placed 11th, with Kha Huynh (12th) and Megan Fung (13th) also close behind. Kelly Carr (16th) and Kiley Mahoney (17th) rounded out the Medford contingent.
“Going in the girls knew that they were in with a strong Malden team, but that makes you only run better,” Ruggiero said. “Competition brings out the best in a runner. Every member has been working at getting better. We will continue on that path.”
The Medford boy’s team suffered a similar fate, getting shutout by Malden, 15-50.
Much like their female counterparts, the Golden Tornadoes boys were very strong with a sweep of the top five places. They are currently in second place in the GBL behind Cambridge, which is the top-ranked team in the state.
The Mustangs were led by freshman Brenden Ciarlone who finished sixth, clocking in at 15:08. His performance moved him up to ninth place among Medford’s fastest times at MacDonald Park.
Captain Gaberiel Hollings held steady in seventh (15:24). Matthew Beckshaw broke in at ninth. Captain Sean Napier took tenth 10. Sophomore Justin Brown (11th) and freshman Sam Graves (14th) rounded out the cast.
“The boys have been running with the goal to show improvement,” Ruggiero said. “Many of the 30 boys have seen their times improve, which shows them their efforts do not go unrewarded. Coaches remind the team that you can only expect the results of the work you put in. It doesn’t come easy, work and effort always will bring the best of an individual, which is our goal.”
In earlier action, the two teams went toe-to-toe in a state-wide meet in Wrentham, Sept. 28, along with 2,000 other runners.
The setting was perfect, with both clubs garnering more experience at a grander scale.
The coaching staff made it a point to thank the parents who traveled down south and those many parents attend the duel meets to cheer the team on.
“It is always so encouraging to everyone to see those faces,” Ruggiero said.
Medford plays host to Everett next week at MacDonald Park.