Neil Sheehan competes for Westfield High School in 2013. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
CHARLEMONT – It was a sensational day for one local skier as Westfield junior Neil Sheeham topped the entire field of skiers on the slopes of Berkshire East Thursday night with a winning time of 23.35.
It was the first time Sheeham won a Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference race.
“With the grace of a F-18 fighter jet, (Neil) ‘flew’ down the course,” Westfield ski coach Monique Piotte said. “It was incredible to watch. You knew he was setting himself up for a win. It was awesome.”
St. Mary’s Matt Masciadrelli placed third (23.39), and Austin Herman – Tuesday’s winner – was sixth (23.65).
In the final team standings, St. Mary placed first in the South, and Gateway, second. Westfield was fifth in the North.
“The (St. Mary) boys are skiing really strong and turning heads,” Saints coach Andy Lussier said.
A Grace-ful finish for Lady Bombers
Westfield had a pair of top five finishers – Grace O’Connor (36.63) and Rebecca Stephens (36.75) – who claimed fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Agawam’s Jillian Scherpa won the race in 34.5.
The Bombers finished third as a team in the North Division, followed by Gateway.
Hannah Green produced the Gators’ best effort, claiming 18th (44.45).
