WESTFIELD – Despite some race day jitters and a bit less experience – more than half of the Lady Bombers are first-year runners – Westfield overcame Ludlow 22-34 in a high school girls’ cross country season opener Tuesday at Stanley Park.
Sophie Gronbeck and Mia McDonald lead the pack after the start of Tuesday’s race against Ludlow at Stanley Park.
Westfield senior Sophie Gronbeck won the race in 21 minutes, 34 seconds. Teammate Mia McDonald was second (22:16), and Ludlow’s Savannah Charow (22:25) took third.
The critical fifth and sixth places came across the line side by side with Ludlow’s Brianna Charow (22:40) edging out Westfield sophomore Maggie Philpott (22:40). Bombers’ junior Hannah Jury (25:10) and freshman Makenzie Ritchie (25:30) rounded out the scoring positions.
The Bombers next meet will be next week at Northampton against Northampton HS and Minnechaug Regional HS.
Rams split in season opener
Southwick-Tolland 20, Pioneer Valley 39; Mohawk 23, Southwick-Tolland 32
Southwick-Tolland’s Gabrielle Peterson and Reece Couture had strong opening week performances against Pioneer and perennial Division 2 powerhouse Mohawk Tuesday.
Seventh grader, Eligh Sanctuary had a notable debut race, rounding out the scoring for Southwick. Mohawk’s Megan Davis crossed the finish line first.
Next week, Southwick faces another touch challenge against league rival, Hampshire.
Wed., Sept. 13
BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY
Pope Francis 17, St. Mary 38; Smith Voke 20, St. Mary 37; Pope Francis 18, Westfield Technical Academy 43; Smith Voke 25, Westfield Technical Academy 30
St. Mary’s Joe Waltz (19:52) and Westfield Tech’s Ed Towers (20:17) managed to crack the top 10 at Stanley Park, placing fourth and fifth, respectively.
