ANDOVER — Moments after Elizardo Melenciano made history, with the loudest statement of his stellar high school track career, at the elite Andover Boosters Meet, the Greater Lawrence Tech star was pulled aside by meet director and Hall of Fame Andover High coach Peter Comeau.
“He told me I was the real deal,” said a beaming Melenciano. “He said, ‘You usually run in a lower division, but now you’re one of the big dogs. You’re able to run with the best, and beat the big dogs, so that make you a big dog now.’”
On Saturday, the senior announced — beyond a shadow of a doubt — that he belongs with the best in Massachusetts and beyond.
Melenciano ran to victory in the 110-meter hurdles in a blazing 15.06, becoming the first Greater Lawrence Tech athlete to earn a first-place finish in the 69-year history of the Andover Boosters Meet.
“I was facing some very tough competition, and I finished an entire hurdle ahead of the second-place guy,” said Melinciano, who will next run at UMass Lowell. “It felt natural. To me, this win means progress. I’m not stagnant. I can feel myself growing on the track, and a win like this proves what I have.”
And with rain in the forecast or Saturday, Melenciano — who also placed second in the 400 hurdles (58.08) — prepared to succeed.
“I was out there running in the rain all week,” said the returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star. “So I wasn’t worried about the weather. If I was planning to do well, I had to get out there and practice every day no matter the weather. Yeah, it was a little wet, but I was good to go. It was a special day.”
Reiterated a very impressed Comeau — whose expertise is hurdles — after the meet, “Elizardo is the real deal!”
Quarm triples up
With a pair of Andover Boosters titles in the 100-meter dash already on her resume, Methuen’s Lauren Quarm decided to diversify her dominance on Saturday.
Quarm three-peated as 100 dash champ (12.62), then added the 200-meter title (26.21) and ran on the victorious 4×100 relay (50.54).
“Going into the meet, I wasn’t expecting much since the weather was pretty bad with all the rain,” said Quarm. “I really focused on staying positive and keeping warm. I just kept telling myself that as long as I gave it my all and pushed my limits, that’s what matters.”
Bernat breaks out
A year ago, Andover Boosters was a forgettable day for North Andover’s Adam Bernat, as the then-junior finished in 19th place.
One year later, the now-senior delivered the biggest victory of his high school track career.
Bernat won the long jump with a 20-11.75, his third win of a breakout spring.
“My discipline has been key to my performances of late,” said Bernat, who ranks No. 2 in the area in the event. “There are days I don’t feel like working out, but I make sure it gets done and I believe it’s what has been helping me improve. I’ve also learned that stretching is as important as the event itself, and it has helped a lot.”
DeMersseman defends home turf
With so many of the state’s best converging on Andover’s Eugene V. Lovey Field, Golden Warrior Claire DeMersseman was determined to bring a gold medal home for the hosts.
“This is our home track!” said the senior returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star. “It definitely meant a lot to win on my home track in front of the all these people. My teammates and I run on this track every day, so it felt good to defend it.”
DeMersseman won the 800-meter title in 2:22.19, her first Boosters crown after finishing fourth last year.
“I didn’t have much of a plan going into today’s race besides staying competitive, which I was able to do with all the talented athletes around me,” she said.
Freshman Breslin dazzles for Central
Just a freshman, Central Catholic’s Kyla Breslin established herself as an elite competitor loud and clear on Saturday.
Breslin won the mile title with a PR 5:08.45, the fastest time in the region this spring by more than 11 seconds.
That time also ranks her No. 2 in Central Catholic history, just three seconds off Madeline Courtemanche‘s all-time Raider record.
“I was really happy about today’s performance, there was a lot of good competition that really helped me push,” said Breslin. “I’m really happy to keep improving!”
On the boys side, Central’s Carlos Quintana won the high jump (6-2).
“With the weather, I think I competed to the best of my ability,” said Quintana. “With high jump, I went in knowing I had a chance to win, and honestly I expected nothing less from myself. So I’m glad I got to win.”
Also scoring a wins for the Raiders were Ryan Demers in the triple jump (43-10) and John Ryan in the 400 hurdles (57.61).
“The weather wasn’t ideal, but I still went out and gave it my all,” said Ryan. “I didn’t get my best time, but I still pushed through and managed to pull out the win. I’m excited for what the rest of the season holds.”
Stars Reinoso, Goncalves keep rolling
Lawrence’s Cristian Reinoso continued his brilliant spring, winning the 400 in 49.69.
“Today’s goal pretty much was trying a new approach,” he said. “Coach and I knew the weather was going to be unpleasant. I mostly wanted to just make it across the finish line. Knowing my competitors were facing the same weather made things even, and it was up too who wanted it more.”
Haverhill Eagle-Tribune All-Star Maddie Goncalves continued her unbeaten streak against Massachusetts competition that dates back to the start of the winter by taking the shot put (39-10) by more than seven feet.
“I’m happy to win at Andover Boosters and continue my undefeated season,” she said. “Today wasn’t my best day, but given the rain and weather conditions, I don’t think it was anyone’s. It’s still early in the season, and I’m happy to win.”
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