WESTFIELD – Westfield High School field hockey coaches Karen Gomez and Linda Rowbotham have owned the sidelines at Bombers’ games for the past four years, attempting to build a contender.
The faces might remain the same, but the two coaches will be standing on opposite ends of the field come game day early this fall.
Karen Gomez has moved on from her post as Westfield High School athletic director – Eileen Flaherty is the school’s new AD – and also departed as head coach of the Bombers’ field hockey team.
Rowbotham is about to take over full reign of the team when practice officially begins Aug. 27.
Westfield’s Gabby Lunardini (7) possesses the ball against South Hadley during a field hockey game last season. Lunardini, now a senior captain, will attempt to lead the Bombers in 2015. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Rowbotham is no stranger to the program, having served as the WHS field hockey assistant coach and Junior Varsity head coach for the last four seasons. She has also enjoyed marked success as a member of the coaching staffs for the track and field, swimming, and diving teams at the school.
“I’m really excited,” Rowbotham said. “Karen and I were looking forward to this season (before her sudden departure). We have a lot of exciting players. The last four years we have been building this program. I’m hoping this season, we can pull it together.”
Westfield’s Leighanne Sullivan, right, eyes the ball in a 2014 contest at Agawam High School. The senior captain, Sullivan figures to play a key role on the Bombers this season. (Photo by Fred Gore)
As the JV coach, Rowbotham has worked closely with the team’s budding superstars, and young hopefuls. With a strong junior and senior class expected to lead the way, the transition to head coach should be eased along.
Seniors captains Gabbi Lunardini (F/MF) and Leighanne Sullivan (F) are expected to set the tempo.
“Those two are working hard,” Rowbotham said. “We have a strong senior class. They are a great group of people … and we have some strong underclassmen.”
Lunardini and Sullivan have remained active for much of the offseason, attending camps, working out, and sharpening their skills.
Westfield is seeking to build on its 2013 season when it last advanced to the quarterfinals.
“I think it’s going to be a great season if we can get the ball rolling and make the tournament,” Rowbotham said.
The two-month journey gets under way Sept. 8 when Westfield hosts Southwick-Tolland Regional at 4 p.m. Emotions are sure to remain high when the Bombers take on their former head coach, Karen Gomez, Sept. 15 at Agawam, beginning at 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be sad without Karen,” Rowbotham said. “Even though we’re going to be rivals, we still remain tight.”
“I’m hoping this season we can pull it all together.”
Westfield field hockey coaches Karen Gomez, second from right, and Linda Rowbotham, third from right, celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a special ceremony. The two coaches will be on opposing sidelines this fall as Gomez heads up the Agawam Brownies. Rowbotham takes over as the Bombers’ head coach. (Photo by Chris Putz)
