Westfield’s Jessie Pratt competes in the 55-meter trials during last night’s meet at Smith College. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
NORTHAMPTON – One year ago, Westfield senior Jessie Pratt took a tumble when she got tangled up and fell during the 55 meter hurdles at the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference Championship Meet.
On Friday night, Pratt overcame that hurdle when she claimed second place in the same event with a time of 9.25 in the 2014 championship at Smith College in Northampton. Westfield’s sensational sophomore, Morgan Sanders (8.99), won the event, and fellow teammate Emily Andrews was eighth (9.70).
Sanders entered the night with the best time in the event in the entire state. For Andrews, it was a personal best.
“When I started this year, it was not as good as before,” said Pratt, who admitted seeing herself fall over and over every time she stepped out onto the track during the regular season.
“I didn’t want to fall,” she said.
Finally, when the stakes were at their highest, Pratt stepped out of her nightmarish past and posted her best time of the season.
Pratt also claimed a second-place finish in the 300-meter run (43.50), and finished third in the 55-meter dash (7.67).
Westfield’s Aly Morin finished 13th in the one-mile (5:52.07). MacKenzie Millikan was poised for a top three finish in the 1000 meters but stumbled. Still, Millikan managed to finish 10th in 3:31.36.
As a team, the Westfield girls were sixth (33 points). Amherst won the event with 72. The Bombers’ boys claimed fourth place with 33 points. The Hurricanes also won, scoring 95.
Westfield junior Cheyenne Grabiec won the 1000 meters in 2:38.41, and Bombers’ Nick Jacques took second in the 300 meters (36.75). Teammate Ben Doiron captured first in the 2-mile (10:00.23).
Westfield’s Jordanio Oqeundo (6.82) and Jacques (6.86) placed fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 55-meter dash.
Westfield’s Isaiah Headley attempts to shake off an Amherst player during Friday night’s home game. (Photo by Chris Putz)
BOYS’ HOOPS
Westfield 61, Amherst 58
Isaiah Headley (24 points) hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of regulation to lift Westfield to a thrilling victory Friday night. The Bombers rallied from a 35-20 halftime deficit.
Richard Barnett had 13 points for Westfield.
Easthampton 52, Southwick-Tolland 41
Matt Olson scored a game-high 19 points for Southwick. Easthampton’s top two scorers had 12 apiece.
Franklin Tech 90, St. Mary 51
Sam Thresher had 21 points for St. Mary, and Jake Butler finished with 10.
GIRLS’ HOOPS
Westfield 35, Minnechaug 29
Alicia Arnold scored 11 points and hauled in nine rebounds for Westfield. Bombers’ Karly Mastello had 10 points.
Sci-Tech 43, St. Mary 18
Lauren Chapdelaine scored four points to lead St. Mary.
