Westfield High wrestler Dominic Liquori grapples with Granby’s Steffen Janser in a 182-pound bout at the Agawam Holiday Classic Friday. (Photo by Chris Putz)
AGAWAM – Westfield High senior wrestler Dominic Liquori (182 pounds) and junior heavyweight Austin Shrewsbury each unwrapped another hard-earned holiday present, capturing individual victories at the annual Agawam Holiday Classic tournament Friday.
Liquori pinned Agawam’s Vinnie DeRose. The Brownies were first; Westfield, fourth.
“It was a good day overall,” Westfield coach Bob Coe said. “The kids are working really hard … Everybody came in heavy with the holidays, but now they’re working their way back down.”
Several Westfield wrestlers enjoyed top finishes.
Bombers’ Sean Donofrio and Aundre Popchuk each finished second in 152- and 160-pound matches, respectively.
Nick McDonald, a 126-pounder, and 220-pound wrestler Ryan Bucko claimed fourth-place finishes for Westfield.
“We’re working our way up,” coach Coe said in terms of the program’s overall health. “We’re doing a lot better. We have a lot of seniors, some juniors. The guys are working really hard. We have some great athletes.”
With a smaller group of Division I teams in Western Massachusetts – most notably, the elimination of Cathedral wrestling – Westfield will wrestle in more tournaments. Next up for the Bombers is a tournament in Lowell, featuring a field of 72 teams on December 28-30.
BOYS’ SWIMMING
Westfield 94, Belchertown 61
Tim Kwarcinski (200 individual medley; 100 butterfly) and John Dolan (50 freestyle; 500 free) each won two events to lead Westfield on the road Friday.
The Bombers also won the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay, among other events.
“For the most part, it was a good solid effort by the boys,” Westfield swim coach Tom Lewis said. “There were some very good swims, but basically we overpowered a very weak, very small Belchertown team.”
GIRLS’ SWIMMING
Westfield 85, Belchertown 85
Hope Walsh won the 200 and 500 free races, and Erin Lewis took first place in the 100 breaststroke, ultimately proving to be key victories in the eventual tie, preserving Westfield’s unbeaten streak.
“We had a lot of good times,” coach Lewis said, “but a lot of races were lost to a very resilient, very energetic Belchertown team.
In the second-to-last race of the day, Westfield secured three of the top four finishes with Lewis and Ali Johnstone claiming first and second for the first lead of the day.
The Bombers had a chance to go ahead in the final event of the day, but finished second and had to settle for a tie on the road.
BOYS’ HOOPS
Ware 44, Southwick 35
Nat Olsen scored a game-high 17 points to lead Southwick, which led at the half 20-18. In other games, the Rams JV squad won 58-37 behind 31 points from Ryan Leclaire.
Agawam 58, Westfield 54 (OT)
Tyler Desrosiers scored a game-high 23 points, including a key 3-pointer early in overtime, to lead Agawam. John O’Brien led Westfield with 18 points, and Nick Hall had five points and 13 rebounds in his first start for the Bombers.
GIRLS’ HOOPS
Pathfinder 61, St. Mary 21
Donna Becker scored 13 points to lead Pathfinder at Westfield Middle School North. Elizabeth Lincoln and Karissa Foley netted eight points apiece for St. Mary.
GIRLS’ ICE HOCKEY
Cathedral 3, Arlington 1
Cathedral received its first victory of the season against Division I opponent, Arlington. Annie McKeown had one goal and one assist, and Molly McKeown and Katelynn Joyal tallied one goal each for the Panthers, who are comprised of Cathedral, Westfield, and Longmeadow female hockey players.
Annie D’amario also had an assist for Cathedral.
Lexi Levere made 31 saves in net for the Panthers, who were also boosted by a solid defensive effort from Madison and Mackenzie Pelletier, and Brittany Kowalski.
