Westfield’s Casey Becker celebrates during a high school girls’ cross country meet. (Photo by Kate McCabe)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield High School girls’ cross team is nearing the finish line with impressive results.
Just last Saturday, Westfield averaged a 22:05 at the Mass State Track Coach’s Invitational. It was the Bombers’ best team time in the last five years.
Of the 10 girls who participated, five set rookie best times – Mia McDonald (21:09), Libby Irwin (22:09), Clara Hinck (22:25), Mary Philpot (23:22) and Sarah Grobe (23:53) Also, two of the team’s runners – Madi Eline (21:49) and Victoria Sardinha (24:33) – turned in multiyear best times.
The success extended into Tuesday’s last regular season home meet with an inspirational 16-43 win over Minnechaug on senior night at Stanley Park.
Westfield opened the meet by saluting Eva Boxsem, Carley Censebella, Hannah Bone, Natalie Mitchell, Paige Neylon, Gabriella Rivera, Victoria Sardinha and Madi Eline, prior to running their last dual meet at their home course.
Westfield (4-2) started off strongly with Sophie Gronbeck (personal best 20:59), Carley Censebella (personal best 21:40), Madi Eline (22:00), and Mia McDonald (22:05) sweeping the top four spots.
Minnechaug’s top finisher, Ester Lee (22:11) took fifth, followed by Westfield’s Libby Irwin (22:36), Clara Hinck (22:43) and final four scoring runners from the Falcons.
Other notable finishes included multi season personal best times by Vicky Sardinha (24:09) and Paige Neylon (25:37) as well as season best times by Shyanne Jones (24:29), Shannon Sullivan 26:09), Eva Boksem (29:03), Gabriella Rivers (30:10) and Hallie Grady (31:27).
The Westfield High School boys’ cross country team is off and running in their final home meet of the regular season. (Submitted photo)
BOYS UPDATE: Alex Alfano, Neal Bachman a.k.a. “Captain America”, Steven Cole, Jake Dupuis, Alex Gearing, Lucas Franco, captain Eric Johnson, captain Ben Jury, Devon Kurtz, Andrew Peloquin, and Liam Philpott were among the seniors honored for Westfield High in their final home meet. Non-participant Zach Albano, also a senior, and manager Eileen Fitzgerald were also celebrated.
The Falcons led the pack as the Bombers trailed their heels. Tyler Bernier led the runners into the woods with Gabe Piepergerdes trotting close behind. As the runners became visible again on the top field, Bernier was the clear victor. Westfield emerged with a tight pack and finished very strong.
“Their spirit was astounding, their skills were great, and they are almost ready for the approaching championship meets,” their coach explained. “With their new motivation, from the senior’s excitement, the team will smile through the rest of the season.”
SAINTS UPDATE: Although the St. Mary boys’ and girls’ cross country teams were swept by Greenfield and Mohawk by the exact scores of 15-50 Wednesday at Stanley Park, the Saints remained productive and upbeat.
Seven of the nine St. Mary runners posted personal best times against superb competition. Improvements ranged from 30 seconds to five minutes over previous times on a 5k course.
The Saints will return to Stanley Park for the final time this season (senior night) Tues., Oct. 27 against the Southwick Rams.
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
Rams storm past Beavers
Southwick def. Putnam 10-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-13
Southwick rallied from two sets down to win a five-set thriller against visiting Putnam on Wednesday.
Caroline Methe logged 13 assists, six digs, and four aces; Olivia Diamond collected seven digs and five aces; and, Ally McCorison contributed three digs, two aces, and three assists for the Rams.
Southwick’s Ashley Consolini delivered 12 kills, and McKinley White had five.
Southwick’s Sydney Rogers (19) dribbles the ball as Palmer’s Jasmine McCord (23) looks on during Wednesday’s high school field hockey game. (Photo by Chris Putz)
FIELD HOCKEY
Rogers, Rams move past Panthers
Southwick 2, Palmer 0
Sydney Rogers scored two goals and Sarah Power made 10 saves to propel Southwick to victory on the road Wednesday.
JV GIRLS’ SOCCER
Southwick 1, Palmer 1
Zelida Madera scored for Southwick (5-4-3) with assists from Becca Drohen and Paige Arsenault in action Oct. 20.
Hannah Gerrish and Maya Daley combined for five Rams’ saves.
