AGAWAM – There. Now they’re even.
The Westfield High School girls’ swim team received a bit of a scare against Belchertown, preserving an unblemished record with a stunning tie on the road earlier this season. On Friday, the Bombers’ boys’ needed a solid finish to hold off the host Agawam Brownies, 93-90, to avoid their own demise.
It took a stellar effort from Westfield’s 400 free relay team to sink the competition.
Roberto Morales, Nick Rosso, Tim Kwarcinski, and John Dolan captured first place in the 400 free relay with a state-qualifying time of 3:35.85 to close out the meet, and secure the victory. The time ranks among the top times in all of Western Massachusetts.
“We didn’t expect it to be this close,” Westfield swim coach Tom Lewis said, “but we knew it would be a little tight.”
“That was a really, really strong relay.”
Westfield (5-0) lacked some of its depth against Agawam with nearly a half-dozen swimmers missing for various reasons.
“What mattered is that we fought back,” he said. “A number of kids picked us up.”
Kwarcinski (200 freestyle, 1:53.18; 100 butterfly, 55.82), Stinehart (50 free, 23.19; 100 free, 53.63), and Dolan (200 individual medley, 2:12.41; 100 backstroke, 1:00.15) won two individual events apiece, and Morales (500 free, 5:31.71) and Rosso (100 breaststroke, 1:11.15) each claimed a first-place finish.
Lewis said Sam Cloutier and Ian Canty were also critical to Westfield’s overall success, with solid finishes in the 100 fly and 100 free.
GIRLS’ RESULTS
Westfield 139, Agawam 43
AGAWAM – It was another strong effort from the Westfield girls’ swim team as the Bombers (4-0-1) dominated from the outset.
Lauren Longley won the 200 free (2:04.57) and 500 free (5:31.26), Hope Walsh took home first in the 50 free (27.20) and 100 backstroke (1:06.53), and Erin Lewis claimed gold in the 100 fly (1:07.37) and 100 breaststroke (1:12.64) to lead the Bombers.
Westfield’s Shaylan Jurzyk was first in the 100 free (1:02.80). The Bombers also produced three first-place relay teams, and a second- and third-place diver (Madison Atkocaitis and Maura Berry).
“It was a workman-like effort,” coach Lewis said.
The Bombers will next take on the East Longmeadow Spartans next Friday at home.
