Westfield’s Olivia Hadla gets some air time as she tries for a basket Tuesday against visiting Belchertown. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
WESTFIELD – Now the season can officially begin for the Westfield High School girls basketball team.
Westfield rebounded from a tough opening night loss to Agawam with a solid 50-40 win over visiting Belchertown to even their early season record at 1-1.
“We’re really young,” Westfield first-year head coach Cyndi Fillion said, “but we’re excited to play.”
Olivia Hadla and Kaela Mochak dominated the pace of play for Westfield. Hadla led all scorers with 15 points, and Mochak controlled the boards with several rebounds.
Westfield will look to build off the momentum of their victory. The Bombers next travel to Palmer to take on the Panthers Monday at 7 p.m.
GIRLS SWIMMING
Bombers upend Hurricanes
Westfield 131, Amherst 58
Three swimmers dominated the competition, and unbeaten Westfield (2-0) cruised to a rather convincing road victory with a first-place medal in every event.
Alexa Richter, Emilie Pease, and Lizzie Fraser won two events apiece, and each chipped in on a pair of winning relay races.
Richter placed first in the 200 freestyle (2:08.62) and 100 breaststroke (1:16.34). Pease claimed gold in the 50 free (27.61) and 100 backstroke (1:06.51). Fraser won the 200 individual medley (2:19.74) and 500 free (5:35.03).
Pease, Fraser, Emily Langlois, and Kathryn O’Connor combined to win the medley relay (2:05.64). Richter, O’Connor, Fraser, and Chloe Schumacher finished first in the 200 free relay (1:53.18). Emily Mihalek, Pease, Langlois, and Richter won the 400 free relay (4:07.89).
“We have some young kids who are doing very well,” said Westfield coach Tom Lewis, referring to freshmen Mihalek, Richter, and O’Connor, “and Lizzie Fraser threw down two times that were very, very strong.”
Lewis also noted Claudia Tosi’s early season success on the diving board this season. Tosi finished first with 188.75 points against Amherst.
Westfield diver Jordan Bannish has also produced two Western Mass. qualifying scores thus far.
BOYS SWIMMING
Westfield stymies Amherst
Westfield 114, Amherst 58
Cole Viamari (200 freestyle, 2:03.39; 500 free, 5:33.52) and Matt Morash (200 IM, 2:18.25; 100 free, 53.25) won two events apiece to lead unbeaten Westfield (2-0).
Westfield’s Tommy Russell finished first in the 50 free (23.21). Bombers’ Patrick Lurgio won the 100 breaststroke (1:15.06).
Westfield also won the medley relay (Russell, Lurgio, Viamari, Jack Beaulieu) in 1:51.28, 200 free relay (Morash, Beaulieu, Lurgio, Russell) in 1:40.21) and 400 free relay (Morash, Dominic Navarrete, Viamari, Adam Orzulak in 3:55.51.
“Our returning veterans that brought us second place in Western Mass. (last season) are swimming well,” coach Lewis said, “and freshman Dominic Navarrete has a real shot at Western Mass.”
Lewis admitted that fielding a small team – participation numbers continue to decline in several high school sports – will be his team’s greatest challenge.
“We’re trying to fill holes,” he said, “but right now we’re swimming pretty well.”
Next up for Westfield: Chicopee Comp next Tuesday.
BOYS’ ICE HOCKEY
WHS skates away with victory
Westfield 5, East Longmeadow 3
Max Maggipinto scored two goals, and three others (Spencer Cloutier, Joe Czarnecki, and Matt Pelletier) collected one apiece in Westfield’s opening night victory.
