GRACE O’CONNOR
CHARLEMONT – For the first time since the 2010 season, the Westfield High School girls’ ski team is the undefeated champ of the North Division.
Westfield completed a first-place run in the season’s final regular season race Tuesday night at Berkshire East in Charlemont. The Bombers compiled a 111.19 total team time to secure its seventh straight victory.
“I think that there is always room to develop,” Westfield coach Monique Piotte said, “but just the face that we’re going to be representing as a team at states is great.”
REBECCA STEPHENS
A large share of that accomplishment can be attributed to Westfield sophomore Grace O’Connor and junior Rebecca Stephens – who finished second (25.63) and third (26.50), respectively – on the slopes Tuesday night, and Lauren O’Connor (19th, 28.69).
Seniors Natalie Mitchell (32nd, 30.37) and Megan Cole (43rd, 32.65) were the fourth and fifth female skiers to place for Westfield.
“Natalie and Megan were a big part of us reaching our goal,” coach Piotte said. “They kept our girls together and on the right track.”
Although Cole and Mitchell were instrumental in the team’s success, only the O’Connors and Stephens will travel to the state competition as allowed under Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association rules governing the sport of skiing.
NOTES: Gateway’s Jessica Garriepy finished just outside the top 10 Tuesday night, claiming 11th with a time of 27.72. St. Mary seventh-grader Chloe Lussier was 17th (28.34). Margaret Drohen and Rebecca Drohen finished 21st (28.91) and 22nd (29.03), respectively, for Southwick … “Our sole Lady Saint (Chloe Lussier ) has had a fantastic inaugural season in the PVIAC Ski League and once again finished in the top 20 overall and top 10 in the South Division,” St. Mary ski coach Andy Lussier said. “She has been consistent all season puts down solid runs every race.”
SAINTS DELIVER: The Saint Mary High School boys’ ski team needed a win in its final regular season to ensure a share of the South Division title, and did.
“Run order strategy and some strong skiing gave us the win over East Longmeadow that ultimately put us in a tie for the South Division season title,” St. Mary coach Andy Lussier said.
“Our boys dug deep tonight – and over the last few races – and skied great in, not only some challenging snow conditions, but a slalom set that didn’t leave a lot of room for any error.”
Matt Masciadrelli claimed the first team time for St. Mary with an eighth place finish (33.12). He was followed by fellow Saints’ Nate Bonini (10th, 35.13), Jack Masciadrelli (12th, 35.74), Hayden Lussier (25th, 38.86), and Patrick Boyle (33rd).
“Patrick Boyle had one of his best races yet and for him to finish in the top seed of the division and in the top 40 overall is just outstanding,” coach Lussier said. “We may need to get him on race skis next year.”
It was St. Mary’s second straight regular season championship.
“I am really proud of this team,” coach Lussier said. “Even though we share the South Division title with East Longmeadow, it is a great accomplishment to have ‘won’ the division two years running and be amongst the best teams in the league. It really is incredible given we don’t have the depth that some of the other teams do and yet, we are among the best teams in the league.”
NOTES: Westfield’s Neil Sheehan finished fifth with a time of 32.31 to help his team capture a third-place finish in the North Division for the season, the Bombers’ highest final standing since 2007. Said WHS coach Monique Piotte: “Neil did not finish number one, but he is solid. You always knew he would be the guy to produce.” Sheehan consistently placed in the top 10 for four straight years … Other local notable top finishers from Tuesday night included Gateway’s Nicholas Herman (19th, 38.12) and Southwick’s Noah Zahner (36th, 45.96).
