WESTFIELD – Championship season is in full gear.
While the swimming/diving and indoor track and field championships were completed this weekend at Springfield and Smith colleges, respectively, more events loom in the coming days.
On Tuesday, skiers for Westfield, St. Mary’s, and Gateway Regional high schools will travel to the slopes of Berkshire East in Charlemont to compete for the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference individual championship, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
If the regular season is any indication, the slopes figure to be kind to hopefuls such as Westfield female skier Grace O’Connor, who finished the season with consecutive first-place finishes, and teammate Rebecca Stephens, who also claimed gold last month; Westfield boys’ skier Neil Sheehan, another first-place finisher; St. Mary boys’ skiers’ Matt Masciadrelli, Nate Bonini, Jack Masciadrelli, Hayden Lussier, who combined to capture the 2015 South Division title; and talented Gateway skiers’ Austin Herman (boys) and Hannah Green (girls).
Cathedral goalie Lexi Levere, of Westfield and the Panthers defense attempt to turn away the opposition. (Photo by Sonja Ashe)
BOMBERS HOOPS’ DRIVE: The playoff push is on for the Westfield High School basketball program. The boys’ and girls’ teams, both currently in possession of 9-6 records, each need just one win to secure a tournament berth.
The Westfield boys’ team returns to action Tuesday night at West Springfield, while the Lady Bombers travel to Agawam to take on the Brownies Wednesday. Both games tip off at 7 p.m.
GIRLS PLAYING REAL COOL: The Cathedral (WHS Co-Op) girls’ ice hockey team is in great position for a postseason push. Panthers’ goalie Lexi Levere made 36 saves, and Katelyn Joyal scored the game-winner in a 2-1 win over Algonquin Saturday.
The strong Westfield contingent fell to Dedham, but remained well over .500 at 8-5-2.
HOLYOKE CATHOLIC INDOOR TRACK & FIELD: Holyoke Catholic’s Julie Carroll, of Southwick ran away with the bronze medal in the 1000 meter and one-mile runs at Friday night’s championship meet. Carroll completed the events in 3:18 (1000 meters) and 5:31 (mile) to earn a spot in this Sunday’s state Division 5 championships. She will also participate in the 2-mile race.
SAINTS UPDATE: The St. Mary boys’ ice hockey rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie Belchertown 4-4 Saturday. Shaun Gezotis led the Saints with two goals, and Andrew Booth and Ryan Gendron each had one.
St. Mary (5-11-1) wraps up its regular season with games at Easthampton Wednwsday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at home against Greenfield at 6.
