Melita, the reigning Empire 8 Co-Runner of the Year, began the 2024 season by rolling to a win by 25 seconds, finishing first out of 65 runners at the season-opening SUNY Poly Short Course Invitational on Saturday in a time of 19:21.2 over the 6,000-meter course. He averaged a 5:11.4-mile time for the event and led the Pioneers to the team title.