SOUTHWICK – Southwick’s well of talent appears to be drawing from the fountain of youth as well. Three freshmen – Emily McKinney, Abigail Howe, and Nabilah Khan – all cracked the top five to lead the Rams in girls’ cross country in a narrow 27-28 home loss to Cathedral.
McKinney placed second overall (1st, Southwick) in 22:06, Howe was fourth (22:48), and Khan (22:53) finished fifth (22:53) on the 2.9-mile course.
Southwick defeated Turners Falls, who did not have enough runners to compete as a team, in a forfeit.
Westfield 19, Holyoke 43
The Lady Bombers began the season with a robust roster of 34 athletes, including 14 returning seniors and nine new freshmen runners. The Holyoke High School Knights hosted Westfield at their flat wide and level home course at Ashley Reservoir. The 3.1-mile race was run under near ideal conditions with moderate temperature, low humidity and a slight breeze in the air. Westfield’s veteran runners turned in very good season-opening times and defeated Holyoke High.
The overall winner was Westfield’s Ally Morin (19:52) (PB), followed by Holyoke’s Grace Hamel (22:22). Westfield secured the win by dominating the remainder of the scoring with seven of the top nine finishers: Michelle Morgan (23:32) (PB), Jen Gresty (23:45), Alyssa Cosineau (24:07) (PB), Nichole Plasse (24:32)(PB), Shannon Boley (24:35), Holyoke’s Smantha Monsalve (24:52 ), Kaleigh Florek (24:57) and freshman Ellie Dufraine (25:22).
Other noteworthy performances include junior Leah Rucki’s (26:35) return to racing after being sidelined with an injury for the 2011 season and personal bests by Seniors Kelsey Cottengim (25:34), Lauren Shehan( 25:55), Kailey Carambia (26:28), Rachel Lacey (26:35) and sophomores Sam Tuttle (27:35) and Hannah Taylor (28:16).
GOLF
East Longmeadow 248, Westfield 260
Cam Dirico shot a 40 in a loss for Westfield at Tekoa Country Club.
Palmer 19, Southwick 5
Southwick’s Jake Hough shot a low 34 for three points at Edgewood. The Rams fell to 1-3.
Easthampton 16, Westfield Voc-Tech 8
No. 1 golfer Jake Parsons shot a low of 44 for 2.5 points to lead Voc-Tech (0-3).
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
Late Results
Westfield 3, Central 0
Mary Calabrese served 10 aces and put down seven kills as visiting Westfield took the victory, 25-7, 25-13, 25-15 on Monday. Bombers’ Gabby Hernandez contributed six digs and three aces.
