Girls' Track Team Clinches Middlesex League Title

The Lexington girls' track team clinched the Middlesex League championship on Tuesday, May 18, following an 80-56 win over Burlington that preserved the team's undefeated status this season with a ninth straight win.

Kierstin Merlino played a huge role in the win, placing first in the 300-meter hurdles, while freshman Saaya Maeda ran the 2-mile race in12:04 to take first place in that event.

Ally Crooke finished the day with wins in the long jump and 100-meter hurdles. She also took second place in javelin from a perennially strong Burlington throwing team.

The girls' meet was decided during the 800-meter run, as Sarah Foster took first and Alais Hewes followed her across the line with a personal-best time of 2:27.3.

The Lexington boys' track team also notched a win, squeaking by Burlington 71-67. The meet was won in dramatic fashion, as it was decided after the final event – discus.

Going into the discus event, Lexington held a narrow 64-63 lead, and rode Greg Cuoco's first-place, 131-foot discus throw and Ehsan Syed's third-place finish to victory as both teams looked on. The seniors stayed strong under pressure, and Cuoco's throw was a personal best. Cuoco also dominated in javelin.

Lexington's Andrew Herring and John Bernstein took first and second place in the 2-mile, with Herring running it in 9:45. Matt Hunter contributed in a big way as well, placing first in the 200-meter run. The boys were also strong in the 100-meter run, with Robin Gross and Quincy Snellings taking first and second place.

Lexington will be sending a number of track and field athletes to the state competitions in the coming weeks, including Ben Silver (1-Mile), Ally Crooke, Greg Cuoco, and Kierstin Merlino. Although the squad will graduate some strong seniors, there are freshmen such as skilled distance runner Saaya Maeda ready to step up for the team over the next three years.