WILBRAHAM – The final meet of the regular season presented the Westfield High School swim program with mixed results, but left fans craving for more.
The Westfield boys’ swim team lost a heartbreaker to Minnechaug, 95-88, while the Bombers’ girls won 126-60.
John Dolan won a pair of events – the 200 freestyle (1:53.36) and 100 backstroke (58.72) – and Tim Kwarcinski took first in two events – the 200 individual medley (2:07.26) and 500 freestyle (5:10.33) – won two events to lead the Bombers’ boys.
“There were four to five touchouts, tenths of a second here, tenths of a second there that kept us from being able to bring back the victory,” Westfield coach Tom Lewis said.
Westfield freshman standout Nick Rosso finished with a state qualifying time of 23.68 in the 50 free, but was just touched out by Minnechaug’s revered Tommy Normoyle. Rosso won the 100 butterfly (56.63).
Normoyle also touched out Jimmy Stinehart in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.35).
Westfield’s Roberto Morales eclipsed his own career best in the 500 by 15 seconds, but was touched out by one-fifteenth of a second.
The Bombers also won two relays.
“It was a phenomenal meet – lots of exciting races, a packed house with an overflow crowd, and lots of excitement. It was a great way to end our season and get ready for Western Massachusetts.”
GIRLS’ RESULTS
Lauren Longley and Kelsey Johnstone won two events apiece to lead Westfield.
Longley finished first in the 50 free (26.67) and 500 free (5:24); Johnstone claimed victory in the 100 backstroke (1:02.67) and 200 free (2:08.14).
Bombers’ Erin Lewis nearly won two events, capturing the 100 fly in 1:06.70 and just being touched out in the 100 breaststroke (1:11.80).
Hope Walsh won the 100 freestyle (56.4) for Westfield. All three Bombers’ relay teams prevailed.
“Our girls completely overwhelmed them,” coach Lewis said.
The Western Massachusetts swim championships will be held Saturday, February 8 at Springfield College. The girls’ competition is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., with the boys’ portion to follow at 3:30.
