For four years, Westfield girls’ track and field coach Linda Rowbotham has been quietly building a contender. While the Bombers just managed to crack the top 10 at the Western Massachusetts championships Saturday (9th, 28 points), many of their fine, young athletes continued to show marked improvement, hinting at stronger years to come.
Junior Bridget Hartnett (400 meters, 1:06.19) and sophomore Allyson Morin (2 mile, 11:42.25) both finished second in their respective events, and sophomore Keri Paton hauled in third in javelin (112-9). For each Bomber, it was a season best.
“We have a lot of bright young talent,” said Rowbotham, who choreographed a Westfield swim championship for the girls just last winter. “They’re coming together. It bodes well for the future.”
Morin also went on to place 5th in the mile (5:32.69).
Paton continued her late season progression, throwing the javelin 112 feet. Every week, her throws got sharper, and longer.
“That’s amazing,” Rowbotham said of Paton’s growth.
For Hartnett, what was more amazing was that she dropped a second in just one week in the 400 hurdles.
“I thought it was going to be more tough than it was,” the junior explained. “I pushed through and came in second place. It was really tough because it was hot – it was hard to breathe while running. It hasn’t been like this all season.”
She also tied her season best in the high jump at 4-10.
Westfield sophomore Emily Ann Andrews placed eighth in the 100-meter hurdles (17.45) and sophomore Jenna Rothermel finished eighth in the discus (96-5).
Westfield finished sixth at the PVIAC championships. On Saturday, the Bombers hovered around the top three – until the lack of a pole-vaulter and depth of sprinters for the relay teams cost the team valuable points at the end. They were ninth (28 points) at the close of the day.
East Longmeadow (78.5), Northampton (69), and Mount Greylock (48) rounded out the top three.
“We’re not going to be way up in the standings,” Rowbotham explained, “but when we are experienced, watch out.”
RAMS RUN CONTINUES: Southwick-Tolland Regional junior Alexis Peterson finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles (16.60) and junior Mariah Collins placed fourth in the shot put (36-2 ½) to keep their postseason runs alive.
Both will move on to compete in the states.
“Mariah did really, really well,” Southwick coach Steph Nault said. “It was her best time all season. And Alexis did really good too.”
“I’m really looking forward to their senior years. Hopefully, they got all their nerves out.”
Southwick also placed sixth in the 4×100-meter relay in 52.44.
