H.S. Roundup: Smith Voc wrestling falls to Franklin County Tech

NORTHAMPTON — The Smith Vocational wrestling team lost a tough senior night matchup against Franklin County Tech, 58-10, on Wednesday night.

The Vikings did their best to keep up with the defending Division 3 Western Mass. Champions, but the strength of the Eagles’ roster was too much to overcome.

“All of our tough losses [with] our better guys, were against kids who won Western Mass for Franklin Tech last year,” Smith Voc head coach Josh Bialek said. “We didn’t have quite as much experience on our side.”

Mason Cruz earned the lone pin of the night for the Vikings at 126 pounds. The junior made quick work of Johney McIntyre for the Eagles, landing the victory quickly in the first period.

Logan Hawley was the only other wrestler to walk away victorious on Wednesday, with his bout against Wade Purington going the distance. The junior battled for all six minutes, earning a gritty win.

“My kids knew what they were up against, but they just kept trying regardless,” Bialek said. “There’s our wins, and then there’s some good moments even in the losses. You’ve just gotta take it with a grain of salt and learn from it and get better.”

Smith Voc had just one senior participating in his final home meet on Wednesday, with Mateo Henriques fighting through an injury and battling to a loss after three periods to Maxon Brunette at 132 pounds.

As a former 2024 Western Mass. champion, Henriques has been battling the same injury for the past few seasons, pushing through the adversity to finish out his senior campaign.

“[Henriques] started off good, but then when the pain kicked in, you could tell, and he started to slow down. Not an easy season for him,” Bialek said. “[His injury is] not the most serious thing in the world, but it does hinder what he’s normally good at. So it’s tough, but he’s still pushing through and working hard.”

Four forfeits didn’t help the final score for Smith Voc, with the Eagles’ deep roster earning them 24 free points on the night. The Vikings lost the remaining five matchups to round out the meet.

After the tough loss, Smith Voc. will look to bounce back and finish the season strong with just three meets left on the schedule. The first comes on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 9 p.m. at Mount Greylock Regional High School.

“We’ve just got to go in there and just worry about each individual status, and just try and make it to states,” Bialek said.

Girls basketball

Haverhill 36, Holyoke 32 — The Purple Knights came up just short against the Hillies on the road.

Holyoke dropped to 3-10 after the loss.

West Springfield 57, Amherst 26 — The Terriers were too much for the Hurricanes in the non-league defeat.

Iman Skouta managed 12 points as Amherst’s top scorer, while 10 different West Springfield players recorded at least two points.

Smith Academy 48, Turners Falls 39 — After shaking off the rust in the first quarter, the Falcons raced past the Thunder.

Smith Academy totaled just seven points in the opening eight minutes, but turned on the offense in the remaining three frames to take its second win in a row.

Sophia Jagodzinski (20 points) and Vivian Higuera (18 points) led the Falcons’ offense.

Boys basketball

Palmer 68, Granby 50 — The Rams’ losing streak stretches to seven straight following the defeat on Wednesday.

Zavien Fernandez (12 points) and Ray Colon (11 points) provided the bulk of Granby’s offense.

Swimming

Amherst 64, East Longmeadow 37 (girls) — The Hurricanes maintained their spotless record (8-0-1) in the victory against the Spartans.

Teagen Demers swam to first place in the 100 butterfly, thus earning a spot in the Division 1 meet, in 1:02.11. Emory Albertson also won the 200 free with a 2:11.14.

Rowan Albertson claimed two first-place finishes in the 50 free in 25.46 and the 100 backstroke in 1:03.40. Audrey Spiridopoulos (100 free,1:01.71) and Finnley Chambers (500 free, 5:40.22) also earned top spots.

East Longmeadow 59, Amherst 35 (boys) — Jackson Tease and Lewin Halasz turned in notable performances for the ‘Canes.

Tease qualified for the Fast Chance meet in the 200 free with a 2:16.81, while Halasz won the 200 IM with a 2:11.52.

Nordic Skiing

In a Berkshire League meet at Mount Greylock, Calvin Miller and Ella Workman led Amherst on Wednesday afternoon.

Miller was the top boys finisher for the Hurricanes, placing in 13th, while Workman snagged seventh overall in the girls race.

The Amherst boys took fifth in the team competition.

Late Tuesday Results

Girls basketball

Easthampton 42, PVCA 31 — The Eagles earned win No. 8 on the season in a Franklin North bout.

Easthampton improved its home record to 3-2 with the victory.