Westfield’s Chris Barber goes for the win in the 220 pound class against Northampton’s Quan Randle Wednesday night at the Bombers’ home gymnasium. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield High School wrestling team truly bedeviled their latest opponent.
Westfield improved to 4-3 overall, 2-1 this season with a 48-34 victory over the visiting Northampton Blue Devils Wednesday night.
Westfield’s 220-pound junior wrestler Chris Barber led the way for the Bombers, winning by fall over Northampton’s Quan Randle in 3:34.
“(Chris) works hard in the room and it shows,” Westfield wrestling head coach Chris Malinowski said. “It’s hard to believe he is a first-year wrestler.”
In a matchup of 138-pounders, Westfield senior Nate Dinnie pinned Northampton’s Jesus Baez in just 42 seconds.
“Nate has been wrestling really well,” coach Malinowski said. “It’s great to see it pay off.”
Westfield received another win from junior Zack Cernak at 126 pounds. Cernak pinned Javon Claybough in 1:06. It was Cernak’s third straight win.
“Zack had been wrestling really well for us,” Malinowski said. “That was a huge win for us tonight.”
At 145, Westfield freshman Daniel Ptashuk continued to impress. Ptashuk won by fall over Tyrese Cox in 1:08.
Freshman Tristan Connors (113 pounds), freshman Anthony Gustafson (132), sophomore Caitlin Carter (152), and sophomore Jackson Krause (182) also delivered solid outings.
“We left a couple of matches out there but the guys are wrestling tough and they continue to get better,” Malinowski said.
Next up for Westfield: the Central duals Saturday where they will face some of the best teams in all of New England.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Clarke leads all scorers as Rams fall
Renaissance 66, Southwick 57
Renaissance produced four double-digit scorers in Wednesday night’s game – Jaylen Long (13 points), Daezhon Eddy (13), Abdul Hassan (12), and Eric Tynes (10) – en route to a road victory.
Evan Clarke led Southwick (2-6 overall, 1-2 league) with 21 points. Rams’ Rylan Sechovich and Josh Lis scored 10 apiece.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Mustangs’ early spurt sinks Saints
Monson 49, St. Mary’s 12
Monson went on a 24-3, first-quarter run to begin the game and never looked back at Westfield Intermediate School. Mustangs’ Sydnie DeVeries (18 points) and Olivia Chrzan (16) combined for 34 points.
Kaylee Hamel led St. Mary’s with five points.
