From left to right, Westfield High School skiers Neil Sheehan, Rebecca Stephens, Jenna Rothermel, and Liam Sheehan, pose together following a sensational day of skiing at the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Individual Conference championships Tuesday at Berkshire East in Charlemont. All four Bombers’ skiers will represent the school at the state competition. (Photo by Chris Putz)
The Gateway Regional High School mascot is escorted to the top of the Berkshire East Ski Resort by two ski instructors Tuesday. (Photo by Kevin Green)
WESTFIELD – Following a successful regular season and now after a sensational run at the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference championships, four skiers at Westfield High School have proven to be truly dynamic.
Westfield female skiers Jenna Rothermel and Rebecca Stephens posted top five overall finishes in Tuesday’s PVIAC championships, and Bombers’ Neil Sheehan claimed sixth (57.63).
Westfield’s Liam Sheehan struggled a bit in one run, despite a solid regular season, and succeeded on another.
All four Bombers have qualified for the state championships.
Rothermel, a senior, finished second on the slopes Tuesday with a combined time of 58.96.
She was just nudged out by overall individual champion Camille Burger, of Longmeadow (58.89). Agawam’s Jillian Scherpa (59.93) and Minnechaug’s Mary Clare Crochiere (61.12) placed third and fourth, just ahead of the freshman, Stephens (61.46).
Rothermel and Stephens dominated the Giant Slalom, placing 2-3. The senior recorded a 25.64; the freshman placed in 25.85.
In the slalom, Rothermel took second (33.32), and Stephens was sixth (35.61).
“It was bittersweet for the win. These guys grinded me out, and made me remember why I ski in the first place,” Rothermel said of her teammates providing extra motivation.
Neil Sheehan skied to a 6th place standing in the slalom race, and Liam took 23rd (39.08). Neil skied to 10th (24.24) in GS.
The Gateway Gators had a tag team effort, of sorts, too.
Gateway’s Austin Herman enjoyed a bronze-medal worthy effort with a combined time of 57.17 for the boys. Herman was third in the slalom (32.88). Caitlyn Bodoh was the first Gators’ girls’ skier to top the standings. Bodoh was 16th (69.03) with a slalom run of 41.11 and a GS time of 27.92.
Next up for the qualifiers: Wachusett Mountain.
“We’re going to try to close out the season in the best way possible,” Liam Sheehan said.
Said the first-year state competitor, Stephens: “It’s exciting to see what it’s going to be like.”
It will also be Stephens’ first run on the hill.
