WESTFIELD – The winter sports season is once again in a deep freeze – – at least for one more week – – at Westfield and Westfield Technical Academy high schools after the city’s School Committee voted Thursday night to suspend competitions for the next several days.
Despite deciding to delay the start of the basketball and ice hockey season, the School Board opted to allow the swimming and diving team to begin virtual swim meets and skiers to participate in Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference races at Berkshire East in Charlemont, starting immediately.
High schools across Western Massachusetts are all in various states of play when it comes to winter sports programs. Some schools are proceeding as planned with no spectators or limited amounts of fans. Some are in a postponement phase, others have opted for intramural competition, and a few are not participating at all.
Still, Westfield’s School Board decision kept hopes for a competitive season alive.
“We’re progressing along,” Westfield High School athletic coordinator Ryan Dunphy said. “I’m always preaching positivity and allowing kids to compete with friends and teammates through games and competitions. …We’re still allowing kids to participate in practices right now. Hopefully next week we will revisit competitions. Obviously the School Committee will be the deciding factor on that.”
The School Board will meet via Zoom on Jan. 21 to vote on winter sports. The meeting begins at 5 p.m.
The first ski competition will be held Jan. 21 with subsequent races Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Feb. 11, and Feb. 25. Westfield’s swimming and diving team will host Agawam in the season opener Jan. 21 at 4 p.m.
What that virtually means though is that the Bombers and Brownies will swim and dive in their own pools – – WHS will use Westfield State University this season – – at the same time, and compare times to determine a winner. Modified rules and guidelines created by the PVIAC and MIAA will be enforced.
Westfield will also have virtual swimming and diving meets against East Longmeadow (Feb. 1), Northampton (Feb. 5), Longmeadow (Feb. 11), and Minnechaug (Feb. 22).
Tryouts for basketball and hockey have been ongoing in a limited fashion. The city’s health director, Joseph Rouse, said although initially he felt uncomfortable signing off on a winter sports season for the City of Westfield, after looking at the all the rules and safeguards put in place, he is is now “comfortable with a limited athletics program.”
“I think it is something we need to monitor,” Rouse said during Thursday evening’s special School Board meeting. “We need to proceed cautiously but I’m OK with it.”
Dunphy told the School Board that he will work with the coaches to ensure that all of the rules are followed to ensure the safety of the student-athletes.
There are a total of 177 athletes at Westfield and Westfield Technical Academy high schools that participate in winter sports. Wrestling was moved to spring and football was moved to the floating “Fall II” season.
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WESTFIELD BOMBERS – 2021 WINTER SPORTS SCHEDULE
Jan. 21
Westfield swimming & diving vs. Agawam, Westfield State University, 4 p.m.
Westfield skiing @ Berkshire East, Charlemont, 5 p.m.
Jan. 28
Westfield skiing @ Berkshire East, Charlemont, 5 p.m.
Feb. 1
Westfield swimming & diving vs. East Longmeadow, Westfield State University, 4 p.m.
Feb. 4
Westfield skiing @ Berkshire East, Charlemont, 5 p.m.
Feb. 5
Westfield swimming & diving @ Northampton, Westfield State University, 4 p.m.
Feb. 11
Westfield skiing @ Berkshire East, Charlemont, 5 p.m.
Westfield swimming & diving vs. Longmeadow, Westfield State University, 4 p.m.
Feb. 22
Westfield swimming & diving @ Minnechaug, Westfield State University, 4 p.m.
Feb. 25
Westfield skiing @ Berkshire East, Charlemont, 5 p.m.
