Westfield High School boys cross country runner Antonio Phaneuf crosses the finish line for the win against Agawam Tuesday at Westfield High School. (MARC ST. ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – Neither the coronavirus nor the Agawam Brownies could spoil the Westfield High School boys cross country team’s 2020 season debut.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, teams were not allowed to run at Stanley Park this year so Westfield designed a new course at the high school. The Bombers christened that new 3.3 mile home course on the school grounds with a victory Tuesday, overcoming Agawam’s Brownies in the end, 24-32.
“The boys for both teams had a solid first showing,” Westfield High School boys cross country coach Kaycee Martinez said.
The Bombers’ team captains led the way with top performances.
Westfield junior Antonio Phaneuf won the race in 17:33. Bombers’ senior Andrew Dion finished runner-up in 19:01, easily eclipsing Agawam’s top performer, Dale Consolini (19:23), who placed third.
Consolini maintained equal footing with Dion for much of the race, but Dion put quite a bit of distance between the two runners by race’s end.
Aidan Welch also finished strong around the track for Westfield, running 20:16 to place fourth overall.
Westfield freshman Andre Phanuef (20:58) and junior Pratham Makonahally (21:35) also turned in quality performances, scoring eighth and ninth place, respectively.
The meet’s scoring came down to Westfield’s sixth and seventh runners to determine the meet winner. Bombers freshman P.J. Stathatos (22:43) finished 10th overall and senior Billy Hennessey (24:16) placed 14th, managing to overcome Agawam’s runners to solidify the team’s win.
Rod Jaskulski (20:23), Christian Fisk (20:29) and Ryan Stairs (20:50) placed fifth, sixth, and seventh overall, respectively, for Agawam.
Westfield next travels to West Springfield Tuesday.
GOLF
Tigers link together 4-0 start
Westfield Technical Academy 188, Easthampton 197
Westfield Technical Academy remained unbeaten with its fourth straight win to begin the 2020 high school golf season. The Tigers have won a school record eight straight golf matches, dating back to Oct. 1, 2019.
Although Easthampton’s Tyler Cortis recorded the best score of the day (40) at East Mountain Country Club, Westfield Tech claimed the next five spots atop the day’s leaderboard.
“The guys have a good mentality and are playing good golf,” Westfield Technical Academy High School golf coach Bob Eak said. “They all want to be there, they practice every day … and are happy to work for the purple.”
Hunter Loomis shot a 44 to lead Westfield Tech. Tigers’ Riley Sullivan, Evan Grant and Trent Adam scored a 47, 48, and 49, respectively. Teammate Nick Moran finished with a 50.
“Even the freshmen are (disappointed they had) to sit today,” said coach Eak, who has been rotating three freshmen in the one alternate spot with rules limiting each team to just eight golfers this season. Westfield Tech currently has six seniors.
Grant, a freshman, continued his ascent up the ladder, shooting a 48 Tuesday. He currently holds the team’s fifth lowest average.
Four matches into the 2020 season, Westfield Tech has already beaten all but one team in its “bubble,” having defeated St. Mary’s, Sabis, Central, and Easthampton. Only Pope Francis remained. The Tigers were slated to take on the Cardinals Wednesday at Franconia Golf Course in Longmeadow.
BOYS SOCCER
Tigers log road shutout
Westfield Technical Academy 4, Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter 0
Davind Bulatov scored two goals, and Jon Vella and Brody Paquette tallied one goal apiece in Westfield Technical Academy’s road shutout. Landon Dion and Simion Mocanu assisted.
“Everyone played great,” Westfield Technical Academy boys soccer coach Kyle Dulude said. “It was awesome.”
For Paquette, a four-year defensive starter and instrumental player in the team’s past division titles, Western Massachusetts and vocational state tournament runs, it was his first-ever varsity goal.
“It was such a great thing to see and it brought our team closer together,” coach Dulude said. “The appreciation these guys have for each other is outstanding.”
FIELD HOCKEY
Smith lifts Bombers
Westfield 5, Holyoke 1
Claire Smith had a hand in four of Westfield’s five goals as the Bombers left Roberts Field with a victory. Smith had two goals and two assists.
Meghan Bowen also scored two goals for Westfield. Bombers’ Camryn Scanlon (1 goal) and Lara Finnie (1 assist) also contributed.
“Westfield started off slow, being their first game this season on turf,” said Westfield field hockey coach Courtney Albee, whose team scored just one first-half goal. The Bombers led 1-0 at the half.
“The pressure was on after a great win last week,” coach Albee said. “After some composure, playing smart and playing as a team, Westfield started playing their game in the second half and ended with the win.”
Westfield goalie Ariana Ciaschini collected two saves.
Johnson, Garrity lead Rams past West Side
Southwick 155, West Springfield 178
Southwick’s Matthew Garrity and Jesse Johnson each shot a 1-over par-37 to lead Southwick past West Springfield at Edgewood Country Club.
Andrew Morris finished with a 3-over 39 for Southwick. Rams’ Matt Coviello scored a 42.
