Westfield’s Lauren Longley competes in the 500 yard freestyle. (File photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
AMHERST – The Westfield High School girls’ swimming and diving team picked up another win Friday downing the host Amherst Hurricanes,117-66.
There were several highlights for Westfield.
Senior captain Lauren Longley dominated the demanding 500 freestyle, with an impressive time of 5:27.63. Kelsey Johnstone excelled, winning the 100 backstroke in 1:01.40 and winning the 100 butterfly in 1:04.53. Alexis Bradley swam an outstanding 100 backstroke (1:12.10), a time which qualified her for Feburary’s Western Massachusetts championship meet. Similarly, Rachel Charette qualified in the 100 breaststroke with a 1:18.63.
Westfield’s trio of divers – Clarisse Jones, Maura Berry, and gutsy rookie Trisha Haluch – were unopposed, dove very well and thus swept the event, netting 13 points for the team.
The Westfield boys were soundly beaten by Amherst, 119-51. The Bobmers’ sole victory came from Sam Cloutier, swimming a personal best 5:55.53 to take first in the 500 freestyle.
Nick Rosso faced tough completion and managed no better than second place, despite outstanding times in the 200 individual medley (2:11.21) and the 100 butterfly (56.21). Senior captain James Wagner scored 170.85 points in 1 Meter springboard diving to take second and more importantly, qualify for WMass.
The Bombers scored relatively well in the 50 freestyle with senior captain Chris Tu (25.27) and a solid swim by invaluable rookie Dallas Noble (34.45).
Other notable performances included Liam Thomas’ strong finish in the 200 freestyle (2:44.96) and Gabe Centeno’s (1:06.09) exciting 100 butterfly. – Courtesy of Mike Rowbotham
