WRESTLING
DIVISION 2 SECTIONALS
Westfield sophomore heavyweight wrestler Anthony Lytvynchuck made his championship debut on Saturday at West Springfield High School, and it was a memorable one.
Lytvynchuck opened his sectional bout by first defeating Chicopee’s Alexander Camacho with a first period pin. Lytvynchuck next outlasted West Springfield’s Antonio Pena, 5-2, to continue his advancement. Then, an undeterred Lytvynchuck went on to the semifinals for a rematch against Longmeadow’s Gabe Grosh, pinning him in the third round.
In the finals, Lytvynchuck outlasted his Minnechaug opponent 5-1 to capture the individual championship title, earning praise from his head coach.
“Anthony was better conditioned and better suited than his opponent,” Westfield wrestling coach Dave Osiecki said.
Westfield junior wrestler Jovy Marrero, who came into the tournament seeded second with a record of 26-2, started his march to the finals by pinning Chicopee’s Gavin Costa in the first round. Marrero then logged a 10-3 decision over West Springfield’s Andrew Guay.
Marrero just missed out on becoming the 106-pound weight class’s overall champ when he finished runner-up to Worcester Tech’s top-ranked wrestler, Andrew Batista. With the second-place finish, Marrero also earned a trip to the states.
Westfield first-year wrestler Daniel Kulyak placed fifth overall. Kulyak’s climb to the podium started with a win against Worcester Tech’s Rogan Pascarelli before falling in the semis. Kulyak secured a win in the consolation bracket, defeating Worcester Tech again to secure a fifth-place spot at 175.
“This young wrestling team had an impressive showing,” coach Osiecki said.
Alex McCann (190 pounds) also placed fifth for Westfield. Bombers’ co-captain Gavin Fabiani and senior Ethan Houle won matches throughout the tournament.
“I cannot say enough about our seniors Gavin, Ethan, and Sophia [Lentini],” coach Osiecki said. “They have given so much to our program over the years. Their tireless effort to promote our team and our family and lead by example is unmatched. They will be missed but their legacy will live on forever with our program.”
Lentini will also compete in the upcoming state tournament.
Southwick’s 132 pounder Amani Ezeugwu and 190 pounder Ramon Tierney represented the Rams wrestling program to the fullest, winning their respective weight class titles at the Division 3 championships.
GIRLS SWIMMING
Makayla Ellis wins gold
DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
Westfield senior Makayla Ellis won the 200-yard individual medley, defeating Sharon High School’s Cora Shea with a top time of 2:09.86 at MIT’s Zesiger Pool on Saturday. Shea finished as the runner-up in 2:12.19.
Ellis also placed second in the 500-yard freestyle (5:02.55), just behind Minnechaug freshman Olivia Parent (4:55.72).
Ellis also teamed up with Megan Nubile, Natalie Dansereau and Sophia Paredes to capture fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:44.64.
Paredes placed fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:10.78).
Westfield finished 10th in the 37-team field with 91.5 points.
Concord Carlisle won the Division 1 state swim meet with 283 points. Amherst finished runners-up with 244. They were followed by Marblehead (176), Longmeadow (153), Sharon (123), Minnechaug (113.5), Westford Academy (106), Algonquin (97), and New Bedford (96).
BOYS ICE HOCKEY
Joe Maffia’s 4 goals, 2 assists propel Bombers
Westfield 8, Hopedale 1
Westfield’s Joe Maffia continued his recent offensive surge, scoring four goals and assisting on two others as Westfield trounced Hopedale on the road February 14.
Chase Liptak finished the game with a goal and four assists for Westfield. The Bombers’ Cody Bard, Treygan Lamanski, and Ayden Ciavola also scored one goal apiece. Brady Corliss had three assists; Lamanski, Brody Hollister, Andrew Galczysnki, Christian Andwood, and Colton Moraweic each had one.
Owen Colbath earned the win in net for Westfield.
