LONGMEADOW – The Western Massachusetts swimming and diving championship may still be more than a month away, but two programs have proven more than worthy of that crown.
Longmeadow took a slight edge atop the leaderboard with narrow victories over visiting Westfield in a marquee swimming and diving matchup Tuesday.
“It was a great meet, a great night for Westfield even though we came out on the losing end,” Westfield High swim coach Tom Lewis said. “Unfortunately it was two tough losses.”
GIRLS’ RESULTS
Longmeadow 100, Westfield 86
Longmeadow (6-0) won by the narrowest of margins in a matchup of unbeatens.
“We had some pretty good swims, but just could never get enough momentum to win the meet,” coach Lewis said.
Three Westfield female swimmers produced winning individual efforts – Sara Russell (50 freestyle, 28.16), Rachel Charette (100 butterfly, 1:06.87), and Lizzie Fraser (500 free, 5:41.98) – and combined with Emilie Pease to capture first place in the 200 freestyle relay (1:49.13).
Fraser also recorded a season best time of 2:06.40 in the 200 freestyle competition, good for second overall.
“The girls could just not get enough momentum and energy going to win this meet,” Lewis said. “We were close the whole way but a couple of touch-outs here and a lost relay, and that was the tale of the tape.”
Westfield fell to 5-1.
BOYS’ RESULTS
Longmeadow 103, Westfield 82
Westfield (4-2) piled up several victories and numerous bests, but ended up being outnumbered in the end.
“The boys swam a tremendous meet, they had a fairly large hill to climb to win this meet, and outside of a couple of lost relays, they almost pulled it off,” coach Lewis said.
Nicholas Rosso, Tommy Russell, and Cole Viamari led the way for Westfield, winning two individual events apiece and helping the school’s relay teams medal, as well.
Viamari swam his fastest times of the season to win the 200 free (1:53.95) and 500 free (5:11.20). Rosso won the 50 free (23.05) and 100 fly (55.07). Russell placed first in the 200 individual medley (2:06.26) and 100 backstroke (55.69).
Matt Morash crafted season best swims in the 100 free (52.99), good for first place, and the 200 IM (2:13.33), third.
Russell, Patrick Lurgio, Ross, and Morash took the lead in Western Mass for season best time in the medley relay as they swam to first in 1:44.18. Lurgio, Rosso, Viamari, and Jack Beaulieu were just touched out in the 200 free relay (1:37.82), losing to Longmeadow’s 1:37.54 time. Morash, Viamari, Russell, and Beaulieu swam a season-best 3:34.30 in the 400 free relay to nab silver.
Lurgio and Beaulieu also posted their best times of the season in their respective events (Lurgio – 100 free/54.48/3rd, 100 fly/1:01.47/3rd; Beaulieu – 100 breaststroke/1:09.71).
Westfield’s Kevin Hayes finished third in the diving portion of the competition.
“Unfortunately Westfield just didn’t quite have enough depth and they lost a couple relays. (The Bombers) win those two relays and the meet is down to a two-point meet and up for anyone’s gain.”
Longmeadow improved to 6-0.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Butler did it
Pioneer Valley Christian 57, St. Mary 47
St. Mary’s Jake Butler dropped 26 points in the basket in what Saints’ coach Joe Molta described as a “fantastic” effort.
“The kid is just playing lights out,” Molta said of his point guard. “He’s playing extremely well.”
Andrew Illnicky and Gio DePergola each finished with eight points for St. Mary. Saints’ Drew Collins also had five.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Tigers show improvement
Commerce 45, Westfield Tech 18
Commerce successfully defended its home court, bouncing Westfield Tech back to the Whip City with a loss. It was not all for naught though as Tigers’ coach Ron Nadeau said the team made “progress” since opening night.
Green Wave surge past Rams
Greenfield 48, Southwick 39
Greenfield raced out to a 12-2, first quarter lead and never wavered on the road. Samantha Smith and Raegan Hickey led the Green Wave with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Southwick’s McKinley White scored a team-high 14 points. Rams’ Brooke Waitt had 10.
Golden Eagles swoop past WHS
Central 94, Westfield 20
Four players scored in double digits for Central – Makayla Thompson (22 points), Alayah Sweeney (17), Jaliena Sanchez (13), and Sha’raya Haines (11) – as the Golden Eagles racked up 94 points on the road.
Olivia Hadla netted a team-high eight points for Westfield.
Start ends Saints’ night
Smith Voke 47, St. Mary 16
Stephanie Start exploded for 27 points, and Smith Voke cruised at home. Madie Donais led St. Mary with six.
