Westfield’s Ben Edwards swims freestyle sprint.
NORTHAMPTON – Longtime division rivals Westfield and Northampton faced each other in a swimming/diving meet Tuesday. While the ‘Hamp boys team has lost considerable depth over the last few seasons, the Hamp girls continue to be a powerhouse in the most elite division in Western Mass.
The Westfield girls suffered their first loss of the season, 99-87. The Bombers boys cruised, 133-41.
The Northampton girls jumped out to an early and unexpected lead by winning the 200 medley relay. The Blue Devils kept the pressure on by narrowly outscoring Westfield in seven of the 12 events. The Bombers outscored their competition in only three events, and tying points in two events.
Highpoints for the WHS girls was Lauren Longley’s win in the 50 yard freestyle, Hope Walsh’s victory in the 500 yard freestyle and Erin Lewis’s first-place finish in the 100 yard breaststroke.
Despite the loss, the Westfield girls recorded a lot of excellent times in their individual races, which will be invaluable in the sectional championship in February, according to the coaching staff.
BOYS’ RESULTS
The Westfield boys dominated their meet.
Westfield not only won, but also outscored Northampton in every individual event and relay except for the 100 yard backstroke, won by ‘Hamp’s Aiden Winn.
Westfield’s John Dolan won the 200 yard freestyle and 100 yard breaststroke, Jim Stinehart won the 200 yard individual medley and the 100 yard butterfly, Nicolas Rosso won the 50 yard and 100 yd free, Richard Jablonski won the 1 meter diving and Roberto Morales won the 500 yard freestyle.
Bombers’ Chris Tu, Slav Ptshuk, James Wagner, Roberto Morales and Tim Kwarcinski added valuable second place points in their events.
Westfield wraps up the regular season next Tuesday on the road at Minnechaug, the area’s only other undefeated boys’ swimming/diving team. – Courtesy of Mike Rowbotham
