NORTHAMPTON – Westfield senior indoor track Morgan Sanders may have stumbled out of the gate in her first rodeo and found herself off-balance at times early on in her high school career.
Through perseverance and hard work, Sanders earned a starring role on the school’s indoor track team. Her true athleticism and brilliance shone brightly on the biggest stage Friday night at the Western Massachusetts championships at Smith College in Northampton.
Sanders successfully defended her crown, repeating as the 55 meter hurdles champ with a winning time of 8.45 seconds. Jessica Ribeiro (Chicopee Comp) was second in 8.89.
That was not all though.
Westfield High School senior track star Morgan Sanders leaps to victory in the 55 meter hurdles Friday night at the Western Massachusetts Indoor Track and Field Championships at Smith College in Northampton. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
Sanders showed leaps and bounds in the long jump, capturing a silver medal with a 17-foot, ½-inch mark. She was just edged out by Northampton’s Sierra Loomis (17-1.5).
“I felt really confident,” said Sanders, who needs to shave just .01 seconds off her hurdle time to qualify for nationals. “A lot of hard work just paid off.”
Sanders dedicated the entire year to the sport of track after deciding to hang up the soccer cleats this past fall. She would have likely been a team captain.
Now, she has her sights set on states, regionals, possibly nationals, and then Holy Cross, where she has committed to attending this fall.
The Westfield senior’s teammates were equally as impressive.
The Bombers’ accomplishments at the championships included: a third-place finish from sophomore Mia McDonald in the 1000 meters (3:13.94), a third-place showing by Taylor White in the 2-mile (11:53.18), a fourth-place sprint from sophomore Moira McDonald in the 300 meters (43.98), and a 10th-place throw from junior Amanda Hall in the shot put event (28-11.50).
Mia McDonald’s championship time was four seconds better than her previous best. For Moira McDonald, she finished one spot better than her seed coming into the evening.
The Bombers’ 4×200 relay team placed second (1:52.84), and the 4×800 was third (10:33.44). Westfield was in the mix for a gold medal finish going into the 4×400 relay at meet’s end. The Bombers finished third overall, amassing more points than expected.
“The girls did great and should be very proud of their accomplishments this season,” Westfield coach Linda Rowbotham said.
Westfield junior Ryan Prenosil took second in the boys’ 600 meters (1:24.62), just behind Minnechaug senior Nicholas Santos’s 1:23.14. Senior Jeffrey McConkey claimed fourth in the 300 meters (37.33) for the Bombers. Senior Mark Blanut was fifth in the 55 meters (6.82), and senior Thomas Eliopoulos placed sixth in the shot put (39-11.25).
Southwick also had some notable performers, including: junior Demotheo Walden (shotput/3rd/42-04.50), sophomore Brandon Castor (high jump/tied 4th/5-8), senior Ashley Consolini (high jump/8th/4-8), and the boys’ 4×800 relay team, which cracked the top 10 in the 4×800 relay.
GIRLS’ HOOPS
Rams punch tourney card
Southwick 38, McCann Tech 30
McKinley White scored a team-high 14 points for Southwick, which qualified for the postseason with the victory. Rams’ Hayley Parker added nine.
The Southwick JV squad fell 20-18 despite a team-high five points from Kathleen Shea.
Cybercats scratch Saints
Sci-Tech 54, St. Mary 10
Jessica Crosby finished with a team-high four points for St. Mary. Saints’ Casey Rutledge, Stephanie Allen, and Madie Donais each had two.
BOYS’ HOOPS
Bombers chase Terriers
Westfield 58, West Springfield 38
John O’Brien (18 points), Aidin Dunn (15), and Brandon Huckins (13) each scored double-digits to lead Westfield. Bombers’ Rodney Bernard had a solid all-around effort, distributing the ball on offense and playing strong defense. Matt Butera also had a nice game defensively.
GIRLS’ ICE HOCKEY
Lancers’ senior send-off
Longmeadow (WHS Co-Op) 8, Belmont 2
Longmeadow enjoyed a tremendous senior night, downing Belmont at Amelia Park Ice Arena. Bombers’ senior goalie Lexi Levere, of Westfield finished with 29 saves.
BOYS’ ICE HOCKEY
Saints on the rise
St. Mary 8, Greenfield 2
St Mary?s needed a win Friday night to bolster their playoff hopes, and senior co-captain Johnathan Spear and junior Shaun Gezotis made sure they got one. Each player netted a hat trick as the 10th ranked Saints improved to 8-7-1 overall with a convincing 8-2 win over the Greenfield Green Wave.
Unlike their previous contest, a 2-1 squeaker for St. Marys, this one was not in doubt for long. The Saints raced out to a 4-0 lead after one period, on two goals by Spear, one by Gezotis, and a shorthanded tally by Reid Hannan.
From there, the Saints relied on strong goaltending by Val Reopel, and the defense of senior co-captain Matt Wurster, Sam LaBombard, Jack Labbe and Mike Nielsen. Reopel picked up his fourth win of the season, while Wurster grabbed his first goal of the season to round out the scoring for the Saints.
With four games left to play, the Saints sit just three points away from clinching a playoff berth for the first time in four years. They?ll get back at it next Friday, February 5th, with their final home game of the season against West Springfield.
