LAUREN LONGLEY
WESTFIELD – The Westfield High School swimming and diving teams squared off against historic Division I rival Northampton Tuesday in the Whip City.
With Westfield’s smaller boys roster this year, some fans were expecting a lopsided meet in Northampton’s favor. However, the Westfield boys were competitive in most events, losing 98-68.
Highlights for the Bombers (2-5), included Nick Rosso (Westfield’s only double winner taking the 200 freestyle [1:52.95] and the 500 freestyle [5:05.71]); James Wagner (who won 1 meter springboard diving [167.20 points]); Slav Ptashuk ( who won the 50 free [25.05] and took second in the 100 free [58.35]); Gabe Centeno (who gained valuable points with two second place finishes in the 200 individual medley [2:32.51] and the 100 butterfly [1:08.72]), and Chris Tu (who took second in the 100 backstroke [1:12.94]).
In the most eagerly anticipated girls’ meet of the season, the underdog Bombers jumped out to an early lead, winning the 200 medley relay (Kate McCabe, Kelsey Johnstone, Lauren Longley, Rachel Charette).
Swimming “back-to-back” events, Longley went right back to the starting block and edged out the competition with a gutsy performance to win the 200 free (2:02.94), maintain the team’s early lead.
In the 50 free, Northampton’s Kerry Fleming took first, but Westfield’s Sara Russell, Hannah Ditto and Sarah Lander finished 2-3-4 to outscore the Blue Devils, 9-7, in this event.
Similarly, Blue Devils’ Victoria Miller took top honors in diving, but Westfield’s Clarisse Jones, Maura Berry and Trisha Haluch’ s 2-3-4 finishes added up to more meet points.
Longley then won her second individual event of the day, completing the four lengths of the pool in the 100 butterfly in 1:02.07.
While Northampton’s Maggie Miller won an exciting 100 free (59.21), Westfield’s Hannah Ditto was only a fraction of second behind, breaking the “1 minute mark” for the first time and finishing with a personal best time of 59.65.
The Bombers maintained their lead with strong swims in the 500 free from Samantha Dolan (5:55.54), Anoushka Sharma (personal best 6:20.95) and Madison Stinehart (6:28.10).
Kelsey Johnstone was a major contributor to the cause, winning the 200 individual medley (2:13.73) early on, and late in the meet, won the 100 breaststroke (1:10.52) to help maintain a 2-point Westfield lead just before the final relay.
Northampton displayed extraordinary depth taking the final event 12-2, and won the meet 96-89.
The Bombers fell to 5-2. – Courtesy of Mike Rowbotham
GIRLS’ SKI RESULTS
Bombers claim 2nd, 3rd
Westfield produced two top 3 finishers in Tuesday’s PVIAC ski race at Berkshire East.
Grace O’Connor and Rebecca Stephens placed 2-3 for Westfield in 25.15 and 25.5, respectively. Agawam’s Jillian Scherpa won the race (25.03).
Gateway’s Hannah Green (29.06, tied 21st) Ali Fisk (29.35, 24th), and Shannon Burke (29.51, 27th) managed to crack the top 30.
Minnechaug finished first in the final team results with a time of 107.22 in the North Division, followed by Longmeadow (108.58) and Westfield (113.83). Gateway placed fifth with 117.76. – Chris Putz
BOYS’ SKI RESULTS
Herman Wins Race
Gateway’s Austin Herman won the boys’ competition with a time of 32.54. Westfield’s Neil Sheehan (33.43, 4th) and St. Mary’s Matt Masciadrelli (36.71, 10th) finished in the top 10.
Other notable top 30 finishes included: St. Mary’s Nate Bonini (38.42, 17th) and Jack Masciadrelli (40.74, 26th), and Westfield’s Dan O’Connor (40.87, 30th).
St. Mary’s and Gateway captured the top two spots in the South Division’s team standings with the Saints finishing first overall (158.31), and the Gators runners-up (166.05). Westfield was fifth in the North Division (174.62), while Longmeadow claimed first (137.20). – Chris Putz
