South Hadley boys swimming overcomes Ludlow’s depth for victory

Date: 1/9/2014

SOUTH HADLEY – The South Hadley High School boys swimming and diving team won all but two events on its way to a 43-42 win over Ludlow on Jan. 7.

The small Tigers team overcame Ludlow’s depth thanks to seniors James Stawarz and Ryan Manniello and eighth-grader Nathan McLure, all of whom were double winners.

Stawarz finished first in the 200-yard freestyle (2:09.93) and the 100-yard backstroke (1:08.28), while Maniello won the 200-yard individual medley (2:10.06) and the 100-yard butterfly (58.97). McLure touched the wall first in the 50-yard and 500-yard freestyle events in 24.46 and 5:17.27, respectively.

Freshman Matt Giuliano also placed first in the 100-yard butterfly (1:00.60) and was second in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:24.93).

Stawarz, Manniello, McLure and Guillano also combined to win the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relays.

Felix nets game-highs in Puerto Rico, honored by MASCAC

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Westfield State University (WSU) women’s basketball’s junior center Gabby Felix of Springfield was named to the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference honor roll on Jan. 5.

Felix scored a game-high 22 points, connecting on 9 of 13 field goal attempts and 4 of 5 free throws, but she was the only Owl to score in double figures as No. 11 Montclair State University topped WSU 73-62, in the San Juan Shootout at the Mario Morales Coliseum on Dec. 28.

Felix also netted 16 points – tied for the game-high – and pulled down eight rebounds 65-57 victory over Mount Holyoke College in the tournament on Dec. 30.

After earning the award, Felix had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead WSU to a 67-51 victory over Suffolk University on Jan. 6.

Ludlow native Elisha Homich, a senior guard for Bridgewater State University, was also named to the list. She earned all-tournament honors for her efforts at the Key Largo Classic after averaging 14.5 points and six rebounds, including 12 points and five assists in a 67-64 semifinal loss to Keene State University and 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists in a 68-62 loss to Emmanuel College.

Sanchez sparks Owls in second half

BROOKLINE – Jesus Sanchez of Springfield scored the first eight points of the second half and 13 for the game as WSU rolled to an 84-41 victory over Newbury College on Jan. 6.

Pickett hauls in 19 boards in Blazers loss

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Elms College women’s basketball player JC Pickett of Chicopee pulled down a game-best 19 rebounds and just missed a double-double with nine points, but the University of St. Joseph outscored the Blazers 34-19 in the second half to help the Blue Jays secure a 61-46 victory on Jan. 4. Her rebound total was the Blazers’ highest since Denisha Parks grabbed 26 during the 2012-2013 season.

Pickett followed that up with another strong effort on the boards, grabbing 12 rebounds to go along with 17 points in the Blazers’ 67-45 win over Wheelock College on Jan. 7.

Poole fares well in Springfield College’s tri-meet sweep

SPRINGFIELD – Kelsey Poole of Westfield was part of a winning 200-yard medley relay team and earned a second place finish in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:00.26 in the Springfield College women’s swimming & diving team’s Jan. 4 tri-meet sweep.

The Pride topped Hartwick, 184-109 and Union, 166-127.

Pat Geraghty of Holyoke, had two top three finishes, placing third in the 200-yard butterfly (2:02.74) and the 100-yard butterfly (55.59) for the men, who lost to Union 191-109 and Hartwick 180-114.

Gartska reaches double digits in both games of Naismith Classic

SPRINGFIELD – Alex Garstka of Westfield tallied 13 points to become one of five Springfield College men’s basketball players to score in double digits as toppled Bridgewater State, 80-66, to win the Hampton Inn/West Springfield Naismith Classic on Jan. 4.

He also netted 11 points in the Pride’s 84-77 opening round win over Lyndon State College on Jan. 3 in which five players also reached double figures in scoring.

WNE men’s hoop starts 2014 with losses to RWU, Gordon

BRISTOL, R.I. – Springfield’s Musa Elsir netted 15 points, but visiting Western New England University (WNE) began a new calendar year with a 76-65 Commonwealth Coast Conference men’s basketball loss at Roger Williams on Jan. 4.

Elsir also had 15 points on Jan. 7 but visiting Gordon came away with a 76-64 victory.