Despite a complete team effort, this year's Tri-Valley League boys' indoor track title came down to something Medfield Warriors coach Tom Woods had discussed previous to the meet against Hopkinton on Jan. 26.
“We wanted to beat them before the 4X400 relay,” Woods said. “We knew they had a strong relay team.”
Medfield's Mike Creedon – who also won the two mile - won the mile for the Warriors, the last event before the relay, Joey Smith placed third, and Medfield won the meet, 44-42, securing the title and making the final event, the relay, irrelevant.
“It was fitting,” Woods said. “It was appropriate for that meet. [This meet] was the truest team effort. We have people step up in every single event.”
For example, each of the shot putters for Medfield set personal records. Woods said that helped immensely. Woods said the TVL victory also had special meaning to his team because it was the first title for the senior class.
One key factor in the undefeated season for Medfield (8-0) was its clean bill of health throughout the year. Except for the typical colds that go around a school, no runners missed major time for the Warriors.
Despite practicing on pavement, and running down hallways –both strenuous places to train for a runner – the Warriors avoided shin splints and other common injuries.Woods attributed the health of his team to the seniors, who are versed in taking care of their bodies in season.
“The veterans know how to ice and take care of their bodies,” Woods said.
Senior Jason Woodsum made an impact for the Warriors this season, while not necessarily racking up victories. Woodsum turned himself into a jack of all trades, participating in the shot put, hurdles, high jump and 50-yard dash this season. In one meet, Woodsum placed third in each the shot put, hurdles, and high jump, earning him Athlete of the Meet honors for Medfield, an award Woods gives out after each meet.
"He is making the most of his senior year,” Woods said. “The 50-yard dash is to primarily help with his overall speed. He’s especially finding a rhythm within the hurdles.”
A constant strength for the Warriors was sophomore sprinter Brian D’Amore, who finished the season undefeated in the 50-yard dash, winning the event in each meet. He set his personal best time with a run of 5.5 seconds in a head-to-head meet against Millis. D’Amore is also a member of the shuttle dash relay team that set a school record this year with a time of 23.71 seconds.
“He is just a sophomore, which is extremely impressive,” Woods said. “We expect big things from him in the next couple seasons.”
Coming up next for the Medfield Warriors is the Tri-Valley League Meet on Sunday, Feb. 6 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston.
Have photos of the Medfield High School boys' indoor track team this season? Share them with us and have them published with this story. E-mail photos to jeremie.smith@patch.com.
