12 14 17 winter sports

ADDISONINDEPENDENT

SECTION C

2017–2018 Winter High School

sports REPORT

• team rosters • schedules

• pictures • stories

December 14, 2017

PAGE 2C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 14, 2017

MIDDLEBURY

MUHS

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

Nordic Skiing

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Union Nordic teams are coming off banner seasons, with both the boys’ and girls’ teams racing to Division II titles this past winter.

Many of the varsity starters on both teams return this season, but the Tigers do have a new coach, MUHS teacher Linnea Manley. Manley, a Nordic skier for her high school team in her native New Hampshire, is in her first year at the school and teaches Earth and Physical Science to freshmen and AP Environmental Science to juniors and seniors.

Manley taught for two years in New Hampshire and then one year in Pittsburgh before successfully applying to MUHS after deciding she preferred to be closer to her family and to be back in or near New England mountains.

“I was looking for something closer to home,” Manley said. “And I was looking for something that was more of a rural community, something in the mountains. And I’ve always liked Vermont’s more progressive views on the environment. Being an environmental scientist, that’s kind of important to me. So when the job popped up here it seemed like the perfect fit.”

She volunteered to work with the Tiger Nordic program, and MUHS Activities Director Sean Farrell soon persuaded her to take the reins of a team that has seen turnover at head coach. Manley said the fact that assistants Barney Hodges, Bruce Ingersoll, Ben Rosenberg and Keith Wilkerson are also aboard helped her say yes.

“I was hoping to just kind of help out with Nordic, and was talked into being the head coach, which is great, I wanted to be part of it,” she said.

“Luckily, although I’m the head coach in name I have a lot of support, a lot of very experienced support, which is great. That’s invaluable.”

The team itself also has plenty of experience. On the boys’ side seniors Tom Hussey, Sam Hodges and Cade Christner placed in the top 10 at last winter’s state meet in both the skate and classic disciplines (Hodges won

the skate race), while senior Julian Schmitt placed in the top 20 in both.

There will be plenty of competition for the other three varsity starting spots. The coaches said fans should keep an eye on sophomores Owen Palcsik, William Carpenter and Gabriel Cason, while noting that any number of the many skiers on their roster — more than 40 counting both genders — could also break through.

On the girls’ side this past winter sophomore Malia Hodges finished in the top 10 in both disciplines, including second in the classic race, while senior Isabel Rosenberg was 12th in the skate and 7th in the classic race. Seniors Caroline Kimble and Kate Koehler return after top-20 finishes in both races to form a solid foundation for the team.

Among the many in contention for the remaining varsity spots, the coaches said, are juniors Kate Wallace and Audrey Huston and sophomore Isabel Olson.

Unlike many teams the Tigers were able in the preseason to get in some work on snow because of Rikert Ski Touring Center’s snowmaking capability.

“We’re getting a lot of snow time, which is awesome,” Manley said, in addition to the usual ground-bound Nordic preseason menu of running, lifting, and activities that combine exercise with fun, such as Capture the Flag and Ultimate Frisbee.

Manley has been impressed with the team’s focus.

“They’re a great group of kids, really mature, really dedicated,” Manley said. “I’m really enjoying getting to know them all.”

Certainly, she said, both teams would like to see more banners in the MUHS gym, but they see that goal as the result of following the proper process.

“Obviously they’d love to have the championship again, just because that was a great thing last year,” Manley said. “But really I think they’re focused on individually improving themselves as athletes, which is great to see. That’s, I think, the more important thing than a trophy.”

Middlebury Union High School Nordic Ski Team Coach: Linnea Manley Katherine Wallace Name Grade Ellen Berg Cade Christner 12 William Carpenter Sam Hodges 12 Gabriel Cason Thomas Hussey 12 Joseph Findlay Caroline Kimble 12 Malia Hodges Katherine Koehler 12 Journey LaRose Isabel Rosenberg 12 Mira Maglienti Julian Schmitt 12 Mary Nagy-Benson Aileen Bosworth 11 Isabel Olson Jaime Gonzalez 11 Owen Palcsik Mauricio Gonzalez 11 David Peters Annabel Hernandez 11 Catherine Schmitt Micheal Huber 11 Alison Seaton Audrey Huston 11 Alexander Bleich Larkin Kenney 11 Fraser Milligan Sarah Grace Kutter 11 Kieran Shreidan Maisie Newbury 11 Sofia Stefani Owen Southerland 11 Nicholas Suchomel

11 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 9 9 9 9

Middlebury Union High School Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Nordic Skiing

Tour de Chittenden 2 p.m.

Time 1/29 @ CVU/CHS 10 a.m.

Tour de Chittenden 3:30 p.m.

TBA 2/10 @ U-32 TBA 10 a.m.

2/16 MUHS hosts at Rikert TBA 10 a.m.

2/18 MUHS hosts qualifier at Rikert TBA TBA 2/22 State @ Craftsbury TBA 2/26 State @ Prospect Mtn. TBA 4 p.m.

Date Opponent/Event 12/16 @ Essex 12/22 @ North Country 12/27 @ Sleepy Hollow 1/6 @ Harwood 1/13 @ U-32 1/25 @ CVU/CHS

Tour de Chittenden 1/27 @ CVU/CHS

MUHS Dance Middlebury Union High School Dance Team Coaches: Cailtin Hurteau & Megan Hotte Name Grade Josie Abbott 12 Sarah Broughton 12 Bethany Palmer 12 Suzanne Klemmer 11 Loke Lanneskog 11 Rena Rojas 11 Diya Taylor 11 Megan Thomas-Danyow 11 Ellie Kiel 10 Martine Limoge 10 Talin Teague 10 Sabina Ward 10 Camille Kutter 9 Kierra Lacey 9

Middlebury Union High School Varsity Dance Team Date Opponent/Event 1/6 @ BFA St. Albans 1/13 @ Mt. Mansfield

Time 1 p.m.

1 p.m.

1/27 @ Burr & Burton 2/3 @ Lamoille 2/10 NVAC Championships

1 p.m.

1 p.m.

1 p.m.

2/17 States @ Vergennes 12 p.m.

3/10 New Engs. @ Bellows Falls TBA

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Addison Independent, Thursday, December 14, 2017 — PAGE 3C

MIDDLEBURY

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

MUHS Boys’ Basketball

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — A strong second half of the season this past winter allowed Coach Kyle Lussier’s Middlebury Union boys’ basketball team to finish with five wins after a slow start, and this season Lussier believes the Tigers could build on that momentum.

“We’ve got quite a few guys on the team that we’re thinking can contribute this year,” Lussier said.

The Tigers have the proverbial blend of experienced players who saw minutes a year ago and should lead the way this winter, including six seniors, and newcomers who should make their presence felt this season, Lussier said.

“We’ve got some good seniors out there, followed up with some good young talent,” he said.

At least three of the seniors are probably starters, guards Cody Pomainville and J.D. Goettelmann and post player Bastiaan Phair.

Senior forward Skyeler Devlin could start or be a member of the regular rotation, Lussier said, while senior guard Brooks Maeder should see regular minutes once he recovers from preseason ankle woes. Lussier said senior forward Tre Bonavita has improved and

will also push for playing time.

The roster includes three juniors, one of whom, Zach Dunn, Lussier plans to start at the point. Parker Beatty is dealing with an injury complication that once resolved should allow him to be part of the guard rotation, while Lussier described guard Spencer Cadoret as probably the team’s best three-point shooter and a player who could be deployed to take advantage of that ability.

Lussier said three skilled sophomores round out the team, and all three could make an impact.

Athletic guard Tyler Buxton could start, while forward Cam Devlin and guard Tim Goettelmann might work their ways into regular minutes.

The Tigers have the athleticism to get after opponents on defense and get out on the fast break, Lussier said, and if they do a little better job of taking care of the ball could take a step forward.

“We’ve got a lot of speed on team right now. We’re looking to get up the court really quick and get as many easy points as we can this year. We have a few really good solid defenders, and I think we can do a better job of shutting

down other teams’ offenses. The one big thing we always seem to be working on is limiting the turnovers,” he said. “Once we can do that I think we’ll see some big improvements.”

In all, Lussier expects some solid results.

“My gut is that we’ll have more wins than we had last year,” he said. “I don’t know where that puts us overall, but I feel really good about the team we have.”

Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball 1/27 Rutland Time 1/30 Vergennes 2:30 p.m.

2/2 @ Milton TBA 2/7 @ BFA – St. Albans 7 p.m.

2/9 Enosburg Falls 7 p.m.

2/13 @ Missisquoi 6:30 p.m.

2/16 @ Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

2/22 @ Vergennes 7 p.m.

2/26 Milton 7 p.m.

3/1 BFA – St. Albans 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Date Opponent/Event 12/16 @ Enosburg Falls 12/20 @ Otter Valley 12/22 @ Mill River 12/27 Colchester 12/29 @ South Burlington 1/5 @ Colchester 1/9 Fair Haven 1/12 @ Spaulding 1/19 Missisquoi 1/25 Mt. Abraham

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Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Basketball Team Coach: Kyle Lussier Name Grade Tre Bonavita 12 Skyeler Devlin 12 J. D. Goettelmann 12 Brooks Maeder 12 Bastiaan Phair 12 Cody Pomainville 12 Parker Beatty 11 Spencer Cadoret 11 Zach Dunn 11 Tyler Buxton 10 Cam Devlin 10 Tim Goettelmann 10

MUHS Girls’ Basketball

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — Over the past three years Coach Jen Heath’s Middlebury Union girls’ basketball program has seen its win total rise from three per season to 13.

That growth has coincided with the presence of all-state guard Keagan Dunbar, a senior this year, but also with a group of talented multi-year varsity players, five of whom graduated this past spring.

Despite the graduation losses, Heath said she was optimistic given the return of Dunbar and five other veterans — senior forward Ella Beattie, senior guard Shannon Sunderland, junior forward Ashley Sunderland, and junior guards Carly Larocque and Taylor Sylvester.

“Overall I’m feeling excited. We have Keagan back. She’s a great player. She makes everyone around her better. And we have the girls from last year,” Heath said. “They played open gym. They’re really ready to play and make a name for themselves.”

Joining the veterans will be junior forwards Lillian Cotell and Sam Paige and sophomore guards Phoebe

MUHS

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — Coach Chris Anderson is leading the small band of athletes running in the Middlebury Union High School hallways and through surrounding neighborhoods — they are the members of the

Smith and Miah Cushman.

In the preseason Heath had not settled on a starting lineup, although she said Dunbar and both Sunderlands would take the floor for the opening tap. Two among Beattie, Larocque and Cushman were likely to join them, she said, while all 10 Tigers would see plenty of minutes and be given chances to earn even more time.

“They’re all going to play,” Heath said.

Defensively the Tigers might be a little more conservative.

“It could be a little zone, packing things a little,” Heath said.

Offensively, she said the Tigers’ approach would not change drastically, and she was looking to Dunbar and the Sunderlands to carry the load, at least to start. But she believes others will become contributors.

“We’re going to expect those younger kids to step up and show us what they can do, and from what I’ve seen so far that’s what they’re doing,” Heath said. “I’m excited about what I’m seeing.”

Early on Heath detected

chemistry.

“They’ve got good energy. They talk a lot in practice. They’re enthusiastic,” she said. “They’re taking some ownership, like, hey, this is us now. This is our turn.”

And maybe, Heath said, the annual trend can continue.

“We’re all looking forward to a fun season,” she said. “Each year we’ve been able to improve our record, so we’re really hoping to keep it going.”

Middlebury Union High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball 1/23 Colchester Date Opponent/Event Time 1/26 Mt. Mansfield 12/12 Mill River 7 p.m.

1/31 Missisquoi 12/16 Fair Haven 12:30 p.m.

2/3 Winooski 12/22 Otter Valley 7 p.m.

2/6 @ Vergennes 12/27 @ Mill River 7 p.m.

2/10 @ North Country 12/30 @ Milton 11:30 a.m.

2/14 Mt Abraham 1/3 @ Mt. Mansfield 7 p.m.

2/17 @ Colchester 1/5 @ Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

2/20 Milton 1/10 Vergennes 7 p.m.

2/23 @ Enosburg Falls 1/12 @ Burr & Burton 7:30 p.m.

1/20 @ Missisquoi 1:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

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12:30 p.m.

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Middlebury Union High School Girls’ Basketball Team Coach: Jen Heath Name Grade Ella Beattie 12 Keagan Dunbar 12 Shannon Sunderland 12 Lillian Cotell 11 Carly Laroque 11 Sam Paige 11 Ashley Sunderland 11 Taylor Sylvester 11 Miah Cushman 10 Pheobe Smith 10

Indoor Track & Field school’s newest official winter team, indoor track and field.

And no, the Addison Central School District doesn’t plan to build an indoor track facility for the squad, which numbers 13 this season.

“They’ve been working hard,

doing the best they can with the facilities we have to train in,” Anderson said.

When the team competed as a club the past few seasons several athletes fared well at the Division II championship meet, but they have

either graduated or, at least as of the deadline for this report, chosen not to participate this winter.

But Anderson is hopeful some of his athletes, all or whom are juniors or younger, will break through this season.

“We’ll see who pops up,” he said.

Three of his juniors could stand the best chance of emerging, he said.

Sprinter Virginia Patz, Anderson said, “came with the intent to improve indoors and get ready for outdoor”; sprinter and shot-putter

Emily Pottinger “did well in shot put last year, and with a little more experience I think she has a chance”; and distance runner Ethan Reiderer “was close last year in the 3,000 to qualify for states, and he ran well in (See Indoor track & field, Page 4C)

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PAGE 4C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 14, 2017

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Middlebury Union High School Indoor Track and Field Coach: Chris Anderson Virginia Patz 11 Hunter Heffernan Name Grade Emily Pottinger 11 C. J. Bryant Ian Fenster 11 Ethan Reiderer 11 Chase Given Bethany Gale 11 Carson Yildirim 11 Griffin Schneider Connor Harris 11 Anthony Garner 10

10 9 9 9

Indoor track & field (Continued from Page 3C) cross-country.”

Junior sprinter and jumper Ian Fenster, junior sprinters Carson Yildirim and Bethany Gale (who might also toss the shot), and junior Connor Harris in the long jump and at 300 meters will also look to make their mark.

Two sophomores could also shine, Anderson said, Hunter Heffernan as a long jumper and middle-distance

runner and Anthony Garner as a sprinter.

Two freshmen sprinters round out the team: Chase Given and C.J. Bryant.

Certainly, in the preseason Anderson saw signs that the Tigers at the very least would do what it takes to reach their potential.

“They’re having fun, and in just the short week that they’ve worked they’ve improved quite a bit, so I’m

encouraged,” he said. “Until you get them in a meet you don’t know for sure, but they’re excited.”

Middlebury Union High School Indoor Track Date Opponent/Event Time 12/16 @ UVM 1:15 p.m.

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MUHS

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — The numbers aren’t strong for Coach Ethan Raymond’s Middlebury Union wrestling squad, but half of his six

Wrestling wrestlers ended up on the podium of the 2017 state championship meet.

“They’re all returning placewinners, which is a good place to be,” Raymond said of that trio, seniors

Middlebury Union High School Varsity Wrestling 1/27 @ Corinth Invitational 9:30 a.m.

1/31 Lake Region & Colchester

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2/3 Jason Lowell Memorial

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12/16 @ Granville Lions Tourn. 9 a.m.

12/20 Vergennes/Harwood/Colchester

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12/28 Hubie Wagner Invitational 2 p.m.

12/29 Hubie Wagner Invitational 9 a.m.

1/4 Williamstown @ Essex 6 p.m.

1/5 Peru Invitational TBA 1/6 Peru Invitational TBA 1/13 @ Winnisquam Winter Classic

9 a.m.

Dustin Davio and Joe Whitley and junior Justin Jackson.

Davio fared best at the state meet, outperforming his No. 3 seed at 138 pounds to finish second. And he came in ready to go at 132 pounds this winter.

(See Wrestling, Page 5C) Middlebury Union High School Wrestling Team Coach: Ethan Raymond Name Grade Dustin Davio 12 Joe Whitley 12 Justin Jackson 12 Louis Bergevin 10 Devin Russell 10 Michael Whitley 10

MUHS

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Union gymnastics team will have a new coach this year, but she is a familiar face: Natalia Harthman has coached almost all the Tigers during the past four years.

Harthman — herself a former Tiger gymnast who was tutored by longtime varsity coach Meg Harris, who is assisting the program this season — coached the Middlebury Union Middle School team during those four years, and she assisted the varsity team at the same time last winter.

Initially this season Harthman was going to just lead the varsity team.

But then the MUMS position became vacant, and Harthman did not want to let that popular program go by the wayside — she said about two dozen students have signed up, and she will coach them, too.

“I said I’d do middle school as well so we didn’t lose the program,” Harthman said. “We’ve got a lot of kids, and it would be sad to see that part of the program not be there, even for a year.”

Keeping the MUMS program afloat

Addison Independent, Thursday, December 14, 2017 — PAGE 5C

Gymnastics will also help the varsity program.

Harris pointed to the team’s seven seniors, out of 16 in all, this winter.

“We have enough 8th-graders coming up next year to fill in the number of seniors that are leaving,” Harris said. “So we’ll be able to maintain a strong high school program next year as well.”

Those seniors will lead what is a versatile group of gymnasts, almost all of whom are adept in more than one event.

The seniors and their specialties, according to the coaches, are Lydia Alberts, beam and floor exercises; Olivia Beauchamp, all-around; Aly Chione, bars, vault and possibly floor; Nick Scott (whose points won’t count), vault and bars; Lucy Ursitti, floor, beam and vault; Laura Whitley, bars, beam and floor; and Christina Wiles, floor.

The team has two junior veterans, Lian McGarry and Arianna Slavin, who have solid track records in their events: bars, vault and beam for McGarry, and bars, beam and floor for Slavin. Two junior newcomers have signed on: The coaches said

they expect both Anna Scharstein and Connor Harris to focus on the floor exercises.

Three sophomores return and should do well, the coaches said. Carly Berger will specialize in the vault, beam and floor; Maeve Hammel on the bars, vault and floor; and Kira Kemp on the beam. Newcomer sophomore Addison Hubbell will also focus on the beam, they said. Finally, freshman Marin Couture also will work on the beam.

Three independents — senior Isabel Lucarelli and freshman Louisa Funk from Mount Abe and sophomore Julianna Williams from Fair Haven — will also practice and compete with the Tigers. Like the two boys on the MUHS roster, their points will not count toward the team’s score.

Lucarelli and Williams have practiced with the Tigers before and are part of a group that the coaches said has become tight-knit.

“They’ve been together forever now,” Harris said. “We had a young team for such a long time, and they’re maturing now.”

Harthman said she foresees more of the same in the future.

“We’ve got a really great group of kids, from the middle school through the high school,” she said.

As for results, the Tigers have always done well compared to the other teams outside of Chittenden County, where team members are year-round club gymnasts.

“I think our team as a whole is very strong. Even the younger kids have very similar abilities to the seniors this

year,” Harthman said. “They’re all working very hard.”

“We’re a little young with the experience, the real experience, but I think when we get some games under out belt we’ll be good to go,” he said.

The Tigers will continue to use the two-forward, three-back system developed by the Middlebury College teams.

“A lot of the guys are familiar with the system we run,” said Bartlett, who added that not all of the team’s 26 players can be squeezed into a regular game rotation.

The Tigers will start with primarily three pairs up front: senior Tyler Giorgio and sophomore Hale Hescock, junior Kolby Farnsworth and sophomore Kamrin Bartlett, and junior Cooper O’Brien and either senior Wills Huntington or junior Max Hirdler. Most likely to crack that rotation are senior Wyatt Galipeau and sophomore Ryan Nadeau, Bartlett said.

There are three groups in the back:

seniors Krystian Gombosi and Brian Kiernan and junior Ben Turner, seniors Ziven McCarty and Alexander Yurista and sophomore Devon Kearns, and junior Aaron Larocque and freshman Jonas Schroeder with either Turner or Kearns. Sophomore Robbie Bicknell also saw action on defense in the Tigers’ opener.

Sophomore Jeffrey Stearns will start in goal, with sophomore Daniel Wiles backing him up.

Bartlett sees mostly pluses for his team.

“I think our speed is decent to play at the this level to be competitive. I think our size could be a hindrance. We’re a little on the small side,” he said. “But I think our speed and our overall hockey IQ as a group is pretty solid.”

How the Tigers deal with challenges will be a factor, Bartlett said.

“There are always those moments in the season where there are significant amounts of adversity. And how we

handle that and persevere, how we handle situations, will determine how far we’re able to go,” he said. “That will come with game experience.”

In all, Bartlett is optimistic.

“I have a very positive outlook on the season. I think we’re going to be in the hunt like we were last year,” he

mid-January. And sophomore forward Mayson Wisnowski is also injured, and her return is uncertain, Brush said.

“Obviously with some of the injuries we’re going to start out the season with some new people in some new roles,” he said. “And we will obviously be looking to gain some experience for some of our new players that are to be put into larger roles right off the bat.”

As the Tigers adjust, Brush said they will look to the Tigers’ nine seniors, including Boe, who will travel with the team all winter, for leadership: The others, as well as McLaughlin, are veteran forwards Helen Anderson, Georgina Mraz and Polly Heminway; veteran backs Abby Gleason, Tulley Hescock and Raven Payne; and newcomer Bridget Audet, a field hockey goalie who will back up that position on the ice.

“That’s certainly a strength of our team. We’re going to rely on that

senior leadership,” Brush said.

The Tigers will at least open up with the two-forward, three-back system that has been the hallmark of Middlebury College teams for many years and that MUHS teams have largely also adopted.

“We’re going to stick with our 2-3 system to start with. We’re just not sure how that will go throughout the season, but we’ll start that way just for our learning-curve purposes,” Brush said.

Up front, at least to begin with, Brush was planning to pair sophomore Merry Kimble with Anderson, have Heminway and Georgina Mraz skate together, and rotate three sophomores through the third pairing, Izzy Pistilli, Anna McIntosh and Devyn Pratt.

Kimble, McIntosh and Pratt are team newcomers this winter.

In the back, sophomore second-year player Justine Smith will team up with

Middlebury Union High School Gymnastics Team Coaches: Natalia Harthman, Meg Harris Lian McGarry Name Grade Anna Scharstein Lydia Alberts 12 Arianna Slavin Olivia Beauchamp 12 Carly Berger Ali Chione 12 Maeve Hammel Nick Scott 12 Anna Hubbell Lucy Ursitti 12 Kira Kemp Laura Whitley 12 Marin Couture Christina Wiles 12 Connor Harris 11

11 11 11 10 10 10 10 9

Middlebury Union High School Varsity Gymnastics 1/10 CVU Date Opponent/Event Time 1/18 @ Harwood 12/14 Montpelier 6 p.m.

1/24 Milton 12/28 St. Johnsbury 6 p.m.

2/3 @ South Burlington 1/3 @ Randolph Union 6 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

MUHS Boys’ Ice Hockey

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Union boys’ ice hockey team is entering the second year of its promotion to Division I and is coming off a 12-win season that included a first-round playoff win and a trip to the quarterfinal round.

Coach Derek Bartlett would like to see continued success, but first would like to see the Tigers continue to focus on the details that produce success.

“The tempo has been good at practice. The guys are working hard.

It seems like there’s some pretty good chemistry going on right now with this group,” Bartlett said in the preseason.

“I think our goal for the season is every game to play as competitively as we possibly can, and be as competitive as we possibly can. And if we get a victory out of that that’s a bonus.”

Although the team’s seven seniors will be playing significant roles, so will many younger players, Bartlett said, and it might take a while for the Tigers to fully gel.

Coach: Derek Bartlett Name Grade Wyatt Galipeau 12 Tyler Giorgio 12 Krystian Gombosi 12 Wills Huntington 12 Brian Kiernan 12 Ziven McCarty 12 Alexander Yurista 12 Kolby Farnsworth 11

said. “If we can catch a couple breaks in the first round and the quarters I’d like to see us advance a little further.”

Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Hockey Team Max Hirdler 11 Aaron Laroque 11 Cooper O’Brien 11 Benjamin Turner 11 Avery Austin-Neil 10 Kamrin Bartlett 10 Robbie Bicknell 10 Eli Billings 10 Hale Hescock 10 James Jette 10

Devon Kearns Ryan Nadeau Logan Pierson-Flagg Jeffrey Stearns Daniel Wiles Abel Anderson Keith Hodsden Jonas Schroeder

Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey 12/29 Midd. Tourn,: Lake Placid 7 p.m.

1/31 Date Opponent/Event Time 1/3 @ South Burlington 5:20 p.m.

2/7 12/8 Brookline 7 p.m.

1/6 @ Burr & Burton 5 p.m.

2/9 12/13 Stowe 7 p.m.

1/10 @ Essex 6:15 p.m.

2/14 12/16 @ Rice 5 p.m.

1/13 Rutland 7 p.m.

2/17 12/19 @ Lake Placid 6 p.m.

1/20 @ U-32 6:15 p.m.

2/21 12/23 U-32 7 p.m.

1/24 @ Stowe 6:30 p.m.

2/24 12/28 Midd. Tournament: Milton 7 p.m.

South Burlington @ Rutland Burr & Burton Rice @ CVU BFA-St. Albans Spaulding

10 10 10 10 10 9 9 9

7 p.m.

4 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

12:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

MUHS Girls’ Ice Hockey

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — While the Middlebury Union girls’ ice hockey team has been knocking on the door of a Division I title the past three seasons, the Tigers have had to deal with tough competition, notably Essex, BFA-St. Albans and Rutland.

The Tigers have mostly held their own, although a championship has proven elusive — they lost a 1-0 semifinal heartbreaker to eventual champion Rutland last winter despite a huge advantage in territory and shots on goal.

This winter Coach Matt Brush’s team has run into another possibly even more formidable foe — injuries.

Brush and the Tigers already knew heading in that senior forward Andi Boe, a three-year standout, would miss the season, and then senior defenseman Satchel McLaughlin, another threeyear veteran, was hurt in a preseason scrimmage and will be out until at least

Wrestling (Continued from Page 4C) “Dustin should be really competitive in the 132 weight class.

He’s definitely going to be one of the top in the state in that weight class,” Raymond said. “We’re looking to be in the finals again, if not a state championship for him.”

Whitley took fifth at 152 and moves up to 160, while Jackson was sixth at 126 and moves up to 138. Raymond projects better things for both.

“Joe and Justin, both should be looking to place again this year, and I’m really hoping for them, I don’t see how they don’t reach New England qualification for those two. They both came out focused, and they made a lot of improvements,” he said. “Both of them are faster, they’re chain-

wrestling better. In the first two weeks of the season they’re better than they were at the end of last season.”

The other three Tiger wrestlers are all sophomores. The most experienced is Michael Whitley, who wrestled with the Tigers a year ago. Raymond believes he can compete successfully at 106.

“He’s very young and has a lot to learn, but he has good intensity and good drive,” Raymond said.

Devin Russell lacks seasoning, but is the son of former three-time champion Joe Russell. He will go at 126 and has potential, according to Raymond.

“Devin is brand-new to us,” Raymond said. “He shows a lot of promise. He’s done a lot of learning in a short time.”

Finally, novice wrestler Louis Bergen will wrestle primarily at the JV level at 160.

“It’s a learning experience for Louis,” Raymond said. “He’s getting to learn the sport.”

Raymond would prefer higher numbers, but won’t complain about the level of ability his team has.

“We’ve got some quality. I’ll take quality over quantity,” he said.

That said, Raymond said more wrestlers appear to be on the way — there are seven athletes in the middle school program who practice once a week with the varsity, up from just one a year ago.

“They seem into it,” he said. “The middle school program is looking good.”

Coach: Matt Brush Name Grade Helen Anderson 12 Bridget Audet 12 Andi Boe 12 Abby Gleason 12 Polly Heminway 12

Middlebury Union High School Girls’ Hockey Team Tulley Hescock 12 Satchel McLaughlin 12 Georgina Mraz 12 Raven Payne 12 Merry Kimble 10 Anna McIntosh 10 Taylor Moulton 10

Hescock and Payne, and Gleason will skate with sophomore second-year player Taylor Moulton and freshman Audrey Schnoor.

Freshman Abby Hodsden will carry the load in goal, according to Brush, with Audet and another skater new to goalie equipment, freshman Lydia Deppman, backing her up.

Brush said the team will keep it positive, get better as the winter goes along, and hopefully get at least McLaughlin back for the postseason.

“We’re going to go in with a glasshalf-full attitude and try to bring the girls together,” he said. “I guess a reasonable outlook is we improve throughout the season and by the time the playoffs come around we are peaking at the right time and can sneak up on one of the top teams in the state and surprise them with some really solid team defense and timely scoring.”

Izzy Pistilli Devyn Pratt Justine Smith Mayson Wisnowski Lydia Deppman Abby Hodsden Audrey Schnoor

Middlebury Union High School Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey 1/24 Beekmantown Date Opponent/Event Time 1/27 BFA – St. Albans 12/13 @ Colchester/Burlington 4:30 p.m.

1/31 @CVU/MMU 12/18 @ Plattsburgh TBA 2/3 @ Essex 12/20 @ BFA-St. Albans 7 p.m.

2/7 @ Beekmantown 12/23 Essex 5 p.m.

2/9 Colchester/Burlington 12/28 Midd. Tourn.: CVU/MMU 5 p.m.

2/14 Rutland 12/29 Midd. Tourn.: Spaulding 5 p.m.

2/17 @ Northfield 1/3 @ Rutland 4 p.m.

2/21 Rice 1/10 Northfield 7 p.m.

2/24 @ Spaulding 1/13 @ Rice 7 p.m.

1/20 Northfield 7 p.m.

Good Luck, Tigers!

10 10 10 10 9 9 9 5 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

TBA 5 p.m.

5 p.m.

11:30 a.m.

5 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

Wishing all Student Athletes a Winning Season Your Friends John and Jim Fitzgerald at:

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PAGE 6C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 14, 2017

MOUNT ABRAHAM UNION HIGH SCHOOL

Mt. Abe

Wrestling

By ANDY KIRKALDY BRISTOL — Last season was a breakout campaign for Coach Nick Mayer’s Mount Abraham wrestling program.

Five Eagles, led by sophomore state champion Roman Mayer’s win at 120 pounds, placed at the state championship meet, and Mount Abe’s fifth-place team finish was the top performance by a program that usually competes at the Division II level.

Roman Mayer, who will wrestle at 132 this winter, is joined by three other returning podium finishers: senior Ben Murray, who was third at 126 a year ago and is back at that weight; junior Kevin Pearsall, third

at 182 and returning at that weight; and junior Gary Conant, fifth at 132 and who will probably bump up to 138.

Coach Mayer is just as happy to have a roster with 15 wrestlers, many others of whom he said show promise. It was just a few short years ago the team had a roster of three.

“We were just hanging on by a thread, and that was the big talk of the town, that we got our numbers up the last couple years. And whether or not that was going to be a sustained thing was probably a question mark,” Mayer said. “I think this year that having close to a full lineup again, with just giving up three weight classes, that it’s a good sign of the

momentum keeping up.”

That weight class coverage starts at 106 pounds, where freshman Isabella Emmons slots in.

At 120, promising sophomore Parker Gero takes over, while Murray will hold down 126, with sophomore Dawson Phillips also available.

Mayer put on muscle to move up to 132, and while Conant is expected to win the job at 136 he will have to hold off senior Christian Little and sophomore Colby Perro.

Another talented sophomore, John Bent, will wrestle at 145, and former middle school champion Nathan Lavoie will compete at 152.

Junior Matt Cota and senior newcomer Kyle Beatty will hold

REFUEL & REFRESH

down the fort at 160 and 170, respectively, and sophomore Justice Green will also wrestle at those weights.

Pearsall will contend at 182, and junior veteran Ryan Durfee will look to improve his results at 285.

Given solid numbers, proven contenders and several breakthrough candidates, Coach Mayer has high expectations for the winter.

“The guys that did best at the states all returned this year. We have some young blood to teach. We have a solid range of guys at different weight classes,” Mayer said. “So, yeah, I think it’s going to be a great year.”

Mount Abraham Union High School Wrestling Team Coach: Nick Mayer Kevin Pearsall Name Grade John Bent Kyle Beatty 12 Parker Gero Christian Little 12 Justice Green Ben Murray 12 Colby Perro Gary Conant 11 Dawson Phillips Matt Cota 11 Isabella Emmons Ryan Durfee 11 Nathan Lavoie Roman Mayer 11

Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Wrestling 1/20 @ Essex Tournament 10 a.m.

Date Opponent/Event Time 1/27 @ Vergennes 10 a.m.

12/9 @ St. Johnsbury TBA 1/29 MAUHS 7 p.m.

12/20 @ CVU 6:30 p.m.

2/3 @ Mt. Mansfield Tour. 10 a.m.

12/23 @ Milton TBA 2/8 @ Vergennes 6:30 p.m.

12/28 @ Midd. Tournament 2:15 p.m.

2/10 NVAC Champ. @ Essex 10 a.m.

12/28 @ Lowell, Mass. Tournament TBA 2/23 States @ Otter Valley 5 p.m.

12/29 @ Middlebury Tournament 9 a.m.

2/23 States MAUHS TBA 12/29 @ Lowell, Mass. Tournament TBA 2/24 States @ Otter Valley 9:30 a.m.

1/3 MAUHS 7 p.m.

2/24 States MAUHS TBA 1/5 @ Peru Tournament 5 p.m.

3/2 New Englands @ North 1/6 @ Peru Tournament 9 a.m.

Providence, R. I TBA 1/11 @ Milton 6 p.m.

3/3 New Englands @ North 1/13 @ Nashua, N.H. Tournament TBA

Providence, R. I. TBA 1/19 @ Essex Tournament 5 p.m.

Good Luck Teams!

Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success.

Author Unknown

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Addison Independent, Thursday, December 14, 2017 — PAGE 7C

MOUNT ABRAHAM UNION HIGH SCHOOL

Mt. Abe Boys’ Basketball

By ANDY KIRKALDY BRISTOL — Last winter Coach Martin Clark’s Mount Abraham boys’ basketball team took a modest step forward, playing a better brand of ball and snapping a long losing streak in the Eagles’ opener on the way to winning five games, the most in several seasons.

Clark sees reasons for more progress, but the program also must first overcome injuries of varying levels of severity to three players he expected to be part of the regular rotation: juniors Parker Hines and Will Martin and sophomore Liam Kelleher.

Hines’ status for the season is unknown, and probably won’t be determined until at least mid-January, Clark said, while on the other hand Martin and Kelleher could both return as soon as later this month.

“Injuries are the question mark right now,” Clark said. “We should have a deep team once everybody gets healthy, and have plenty of options in the lineup. But right now we’re a little light in trying to figure that out. Nothing’s ever come easy for this program in the last few years.”

On the bright side, senior forward Jackson Counter returns for his fourth season on the varsity squad, and senior forward Dustin Whitcomb is back for his third. Clark expects

Mount Abraham Union High School Boys’ Basketball Team Coach: Martin Clark Parker Hines Name Grade William Martin Ryan Bonar 12 Logan Rodriguez Jackson Counter 12 Shain Sargent Dylan Hill 12 Jacob Thomas Derek Jackson 12 Logan Willey Lucas Livingston 12 Liam Kelleher Dustin Whitcomb 12

them to lead the way.

“Jackson Counter is going to do some good things on the court, and Dustin Whitcomb is going to do some good things,” he said.

The team’s other seniors are forward Ryan Bonar and guards Lucas Livingston and Derek Jackson, and they could be in the mix for rotation time along with a number of juniors as Clark sorts out his options while the team is shorthanded.

Livingston in particular should start early on, he said.

Among the juniors, Clark pegged guard Logan Rodriguez as a likely starter in the early going, while he will also give forward Jacob Thomas and guards Logan Willey and Shain Sargent every chance to earn spots in the regular rotation.

“There’s some good talent in the junior class that will determine how well we do,” Clark said.

In fact, Clark said, “We have probably more talent than we’ve had in several years,” and he expects that once the Eagles are healthy they should have a fun season.

“We’ve got guys that are six-foot, six-foot-one, six-foot-two, with reasonably long arms, so I think that will help us,” he said. “We’re pretty athletic and quick, and I think we’re going to match up to teams pretty well this year.”

“A lot’s going to depend on whether we’re looking at a threeguard lineup,” LaRose said. “Some of it is just going to depend on matchups.”

If anyone else cracks the starting lineup, LaRose said, it could be sixfoot-one center Cora Funke, if the junior adapts to the speed of varsity play. Senior Bridget Davis will also see time off the bench at the forward spots, and senior Ally Hoff backs up at small forward.

In the preseason, LaRose said junior guards Molly Murray and Jess Murray were next in line for

playing time in the backcourt, with senior Jasmin Gile and junior Isabel Gepfert also available.

LaRose will as always expect maximum effort on defense, and she believes the Eagles have the ability to have a potent attack.

“There’s a bunch of kids here who can score,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of different looks, a lot of different weapons.”

If the Eagles make the best use of their offensive potential, LaRose said, they should end up in Barre in March.

“I believe if we can be a lot more

patient offensively and make sure that we’re not settling for long bombs, that we’re getting the highest

11 11 11 11 11 11 10

Mount Abraham Union High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball Date Opponent/Event Time 12/12 Mill River 7 p.m.

12/16 @ Missisquoi 1:30 p.m.

12/19 @ Mill River 7 p.m.

12/20 Winooski 7 p.m.

12/27 Randolph 7 p.m.

1/3 @ Otter Valley 7 p.m.

1/5 @ Winooski 7 p.m.

1/10 @ Randolph 7 p.m.

1/13 Otter Valley 12:30 p.m.

1/19 BFA - St. Albans 7 p.m.

1/24 1/26 1/30 2/7 2/10 2/13 2/16 2/19 2/22 3/1

@ Middlebury 7 p.m.

Enosburg Falls 7 p.m.

Milton 7 p.m. @ Vergennes 7 p.m.

Missisquoi 12:30 p.m. @ BFA - St. Albans 7:30 p.m.

Middlebury 7 p.m. @ Enosburg Falls 7 p.m. @ Milton 7 p.m.

Vergennes 7 p.m.

Mt. Abe Girls’ Basketball

By ANDY KIRKALDY BRISTOL — The arrow has been pointing in the right direction during the past couple of seasons for the Mount Abraham girls’ basketball program, as the Eagles moved from nine wins in 2014/2015 to 12 wins in 2015/2016.

This year, Coach Connie LaRose’s team features eight seniors, many of whom have taken to the court for both those squads, and LaRose believes that trend should continue upward.

“I think the potential is there.

We’re working hard in practice.

The team chemistry is I think a little bit better than a year ago,” LaRose said.

Two of the athletes on the roster this year are entering their fourth varsity seasons: High-scoring allstate forward Emma Carter and starting point guard Emma LaRose.

Another two seniors are three-year varsity veterans, forward Emma Radler and guard Abby Mansfield, as is junior forward Jalen Cook.

Senior guard Vanessa Dykstra returns for her second season and started a year ago, and from those six players Coach LaRose will probably pick a starting lineup that could vary from game to game.

Regardless, all six will see plenty of minutes.

Mount Abraham Union High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball 1/23 @ Mt. Mansfield 7 p.m.

Date Opponent/Event Time 1/26 @ North Country 6:30 p.m.

12/15 U-32 7 p.m.

1/31 Milton 7 p.m.

12/19 @ Otter Valley 7 p.m.

2/3 Enosburg Falls 12:30 p.m.

12/22 @ Fair Haven 3:30 p.m.

2/6 Missisquoi 7 p.m.

12/23 @ Fair Haven 2:30 p.m.

2/9 Vergennes 7 p.m.

12/30 @ U-32 2:30 p.m.

2/14 @ Middlebury 7 p.m.

1/2 South Burlington 7 p.m.

2/17 Mt. Mansfield 12:30 p.m.

1/5 Middlebury 7 p.m.

2/20 @ Colchester 7 p.m.

1/9 Colchester 7 p.m.

2/22 @ Winooski 7 p.m.

1/12 @ Vergennes 7 p.m.

1/20 Mill River 12:30 p.m.

Mount Abraham Union High School Girls’ Basketball Team Coach: Connie LaRose Name Grade Emma Carter 12 Bridget Davis 12 Vanessa Dykstra 12 Jasmin Gile 12 Ally Hoff 12 Emma LaRose 12 Abby Mansfield 12 Emma Radler 12 Jalen Cook 11 Cora Funke 11 Isabel Gepfert 11 Jess Murray 11 Molly Murray 11

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percentage shot we can get, that this is a team that is going to challenge for a championship,” she said.

Trent Campbell Photographer

Andy Kirkaldy News & Sports Writer

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e want to be the paper of record for local boys’ and girls’ results, but we also try to go a little deeper than just reporting scores.

In our stories, we look at why games are won and lost and how the teams are trying to reach their potential. We also feature looks at some individual athletes, including why they love their sport and what they have learned from them. And we believe sports is not about winning and losing, but trying to achieve as much as possible individually and collectively.

Andy Kirkaldy, Addison Independent News & Sports Writer ADDISON COUNTY The

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PAGE 8C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 14, 2017

VERGENNES

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

VUHS Girls’ Basketball

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — Tough news for two Vergennes Union athletes will also have a major effect on the Commodore girls’ basketball team this winter: Junior Ciara McClay and sophomore Emily Rooney, the team’s top ballhandlers, both this fall went down with serious injuries and are out of action for many months.

Coach Billy Waller said other members of the team are meeting the challenge, but that it will take time for players who have never been primary point guards to adapt to new roles, while in the meantime ripple effects will be felt throughout the roster.

“Everybody seems to recognize that it has to be all hands on deck a little bit. Kids who have not handled the ball, that have never handled the basketball, are handling the ball, and they know they have to,” Waller said. “And they take practice very seriously. There’s some pride there.”

With the injuries, the Commodores return only three players with varsity experience: senior guard Megan Tarte, junior guard Morgan Lynk and junior center Brianna Vanderway.

“We will lean on those three players, but other kids show tremendous promise, and they’ll get the minutes to get themselves ready for future contests,” Waller said.

Waller in the preseason had junior guard/forward Emma Bryant and freshman forward Kate Gosliga penciled into the starting lineup along with the three veterans, although he said junior guard Emily Gosliga could also push her way into the top five. Two sophomores could be the next into the fray, forward Sophie Hatch and guard Amber Krumrie.

In the frontcourt, senior Nora Deming could also work into the rotation, and three guards will also be seeking minutes, seniors Kristina Jochum and Guinevere Brownell and

junior Kylie Comeau.

“I see at least eight players playing significant roles, with a couple of other roles to be determined,” Waller said.

The coach was happy with the Commodores’ preseason approach.

“They’re very coachable. They work very hard, and they do what I ask them to do. Practices have gone really well,” he said.

Waller sees working the ball into Vanderway and the other forwards to open the floor up for shooters like Lynk as the best tactical approach.

“We’ll try to establish some sort of post presence and work from the inside out. We still have the type of players who can do that,” he said.

Waller pointed to the resilience of the Commodore girls’ soccer team in the face of the same injuries as a good role model for his basketball team.

“They saw that if you have some improvement at the end of the year and if you keep on working, even if you have some bad lumps along the way, that you can still rise from that,” he said.

VUHS Girls’ Varsity Basketball Date Opponent/Event Time 12/12 @ Fair Haven 7 p.m.

12/15 Hazen 7 p.m.

12/20 Harwood 7 p.m.

12/23 Winooski 2:30 p.m.

12/30 Montpelier 2:30 p.m.

1/3 @ Harwood 7:30 p.m.

1/6 @ Mt. Mansfield 12:30 p.m.

1/10 @ Middlebury 7 p.m.

1/12 Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

1/20 @ Colchester 12:30 a.m.

1/23 Milton 7 p.m.

1/26 @ Winooski 6:30 p.m.

1/31 Mt. Mansfield 7 p.m.

2/3 North Country 2:30 p.m.

2/6 Middlebury 7 p.m.

2/9 @ Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

2/14 Colchester 7 p.m.

2/17 @ Milton 11:30 a.m.

2/20 Enosburg Falls 7 p.m.

2/23 @ Missisquoi 7 p.m.

VUHS Girls’ Basketball Team Coach: Billy Waller Name Grade Guinevere Brownell 12 Nora Deming 12 Megan Tarte 12 Kristina Jochum 12 Emma Bryant 11 Kylie Comeau 11 Emily Gosliga 11 Morgan Lynk 11 Brianna Vanderway 11 Sophie Hatch 10 Amber Krumrie 10 Kate Gosliga 9

VUHS Boys’ Varsity Basketball Date Opponent/Event Time 12/14 BFA - Fairfax 7 p.m.

12/20 @ Fair Haven 7 p.m.

12/22 Otter Valley 7 p.m.

12/28 @ Harwood 7 p.m.

1/5 @ BFA - Fairfax 7 p.m.

1/10 @ Mill River 7 p.m.

1/13 Fair Haven 2:30 p.m.

1/15 Montpelier 7 p.m.

1/19 @ Milton 7 p.m.

1/24 Missisquoi 7 p.m.

1/26 @BFA - St. Albans 7:30 p.m.

1/30 @ Middlebury 7 p.m.

2/2 Enosburg Falls 7 p.m.

2/7 Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

2/13 Milton 7 p.m.

2/16 @ Missisquoi 7 p.m.

2/19 BFA - St. Albans 7 p.m.

2/22 Middlebury 7 p.m.

2/26 @ Enosburg Falls 7 p.m.

3/1 @ Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

Vergennes Union High School Boys’ Basketball Team Coach: Peter Quinn Name Grade Lance Bergmans 12 Ian Greenia 12 Casey Kimball 12 Aaron Premont 12 Ethan Sausville 12 Bailey Smith 12 Nate Bourgeois 11 Ezekiel Palmer 11 Kyriek Smith 11 Luke Bergmans 10 Ben Curtis 10 Aiden Scott 10

VUHS Boys’ Basketball

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — Coach Peter Quinn is looking to balanced talent, effort, defense and rebounding in hopes the Vergennes boys’ basketball program can bounce back from last winter’s three-win campaign.

Although Quinn said during the preseason he will probably begin the season starting five of his six seniors, he is going to keep an open mind and is likely to give almost his entire roster plenty of minutes.

“We’ve got guys with enough skill to deserve playing time,” Quinn said.

“I think as the year goes on playing time will be determined by how well people play and how hard, although everybody’s playing hard right now.

It’s really nice coming to practice.”

The returning seniors who saw the most time a year ago are Lance Bergmans and Casey Kimball, both forwards, although Bergmans could assume some ballhandling responsibilities this winter. Senior guard Bailey Smith and senior forwards Ethan Sausville and Aaron Premont came off the bench a year ago and are the only other returners from last winter’s team; those five are the group that Quinn pegged as the likely starters, with senior forward Ian Greenia coming off the bench.

But the team’s three juniors, forward Ezekiel Palmer and guards

Nate Bourgeois and Kyriek Smith, and its three sophomore guards, Luke Bergmans, Ben Curtis and Aiden Scott, will get their chances, Quinn said.

“We’ll see how they meet the challenge. We’ve got some seniors who have been waiting to play more.

They’ll get their shot. The way I’m looking at it right now is everybody is going to get a chance to play early,” he said. “If everybody can play, then everybody will play. We’ll have a lot of guys in and out. We’ll be able to play at a relatively high speed. We’ve got the stamina and heart.”

Much of the team’s ballhandling did graduate, and Quinn said the Commodores are working on offensive poise.

“One of the questions is can we play under control. That’s what we’ll be working on a lot during the early part of the season, is making sure we’re running stuff instead of being kind of frenetic,” he said.

But he sees possibilities on the offensive end if the Commodores can take care of the ball.

“Scoring the ball is going to be a question for us, and we’ve got some potential for that if guys who can

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shoot are able to shoot in games,” Quinn said.

He does have faith in the Commodores at the other end of the floor.

“I think we’re going to be much more aggressive defensively this year. As a team I think we’re going to be quicker,” he said.

Finally, some intangibles could help the Commodores take a step forward this winter.

“We’ve got a lot of heart this year.

Guys really support each other,” Quinn said. “So it’s a nice feeling on the court so far.”

Good Luck, Commodores!

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Addison Independent, Thursday, December 14, 2017 — PAGE 9C

VERGENNES

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

VUHS Wrestling

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — A year ago defections and injuries left Coach Nate Kittredge leading a Vergennes wrestling team with just three members at the end of the season.

But things were looking up as this winter’s campaign got under way, as counting a half-dozen middleschool wrestlers Kittredge greeted six times that many grapplers.

Kittredge pledged in the preseason that he would take steps to nurture those numbers, including more tournaments that are closer to home, more that offer JV-level competition for his lessexperienced wrestlers (such as a season-opening JV tournament at Otter Valley), and a patient, longterm approach to team-building.

“Three kids last year to 18 walking in the first day. So I know the trick is to keep those 18 so I’m not down to those low numbers again. Some of that trick is noticing that I’ve got eight freshmen, and not keeping the tough schedule we’ve had in years past, maybe staying more local,” Kittredge said. “I want these kids to love the sport, not say it’s a long, long day.”

After the first week, it was so far, so good, as he worked to instill values of good citizenship as well as wrestling skills.

“They’re hungry. It’s super early.

The key will be not to push them too hard, too soon,” Kittredge said. “I’m looking for some young leaders to arise and create the full package here, good grades

and everything, good kids and good student-athletes, and make Vergennes wrestling something to be proud of.”

At the high school level the Commodores should have 11 weight classes covered.

• Freshman Aidan Gebo at 112 pounds.

• Freshman Jeremiah Moulton at 120.

• Freshman Trevor Hallock at 126.

• Freshman Zach Botala at 132 or 138.

• Junior Sarah Rathbun at 145.

• Sophomore Zander Wildasin at 152.

• Freshman Barret Barrows at 160.

• Freshman Dominic Kandzior at 170.

• Freshman Gabe Payne-Vinick at 190.

• Freshman Connor Pouliot at 220.

• Junior Brady Gebo and sophomore Jonathan Lapell at 285.

With a squad of eight freshmen and two upperclassmen who are

first-year wrestlers, Kittredge said he is taking a long view.

“The way I look at this team is I’ve got three or four years to really teach these kids something.

And I’m sure some of these kids are going to shine before that, which is great,” he said. “But if I can get these 10 to 18 kids as a whole in the next three, four years right in the placing rounds of tournaments, we’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

and middle-distance runner Ross Carr; and junior distance runner Elizabeth Siminitus.

“They’re just like the team,” Castillo said. “They just happen to wear a different color when the day comes. I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids to work with.”

Vergennes Union High School Varsity Indoor Track and Field Date Opponent/Event Time 12/16 @ UVM 1 p.m.

12/23 @ UVM 1 p.m.

12/28 @ UVM 1 p.m.

1/5 @ UVM 4 p.m.

1/27 @ Plymouth State TBA 2/9 States @ UVM TBA

Vergennes Union High School Wrestling Team Coach: Nate Kittredge Name Grade Brady Gebo 11 Sarah Rathbun 11 Jonathan Lapell 10 Zander Wildasin 10 Aidan Gebo 9 Jeremiah Moulton 9 Trevor Hallock 9 Zach Botala 9 Barret Barrows 9 Dominic Kandzior 9 Gabe Payne-Vinick 9 Connor Pouliot 9

VUHS Boys’ Varsity Wrestling Date Opponent/Event Time 12/12 @ Milton w/ Williamstown 6 p.m.

12/16 @ Granville Tournament 9 a.m.

12/20 @ Middlebury w/ Harwood

& Colchester 6 p.m.

12/28 @ Middlebury Tourn. 2 p.m.

12/29 @ Middlebury Tourn. 9 a.m.

1/3 Host, CVU, Mt. Mansfield,

Mt. Anthony 5 p.m.

1/11 @ CVU w/ Williamstown

& Lake Region 6:30 p.m.

1/19 @ Essex Classic 3 p.m.

1/20 @ Essex Classic 9 a.m.

1/22 @ Mt. Abe w/ Essex

& Colchester 7 p.m.

1/27 Host, Vergennes Tourn. 9 a.m.

2/1 Host, Williamstown

& St. Johnsbury 6 p.m.

2/3 @ Mt. Mansfield Tourn. 9 a.m.

2/8 Host, Spaulding, Mt. Abraham

& Lake Region 6 p.m.

2/10 @ NVAC Champ., Essex 9 a.m.

2/23 States @ Otter Valley 3 p.m.

2/24 States @ Otter Valley 9 a.m.

VUHS Indoor Track & Field

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — Once again Vergennes Union indoor track and field coach Brad Castillo will lead a small, but dedicated, group of Commodore athletes who are willing to hone their craft either in the school hallways or the cold outdoors.

Castillo expects their dedication and their talent to pay off with more and higher placements at the seasonending championship meet this winter.

“I have definitely no doubt in my mind that we will be much better than last year,” Castillo said. “Everybody has put in all the extra work to make a difference.”

Castillo believes junior distance runners Wade Mullin and Spencer Hurlburt should lead the charge.

Mullin was fourth in Division II last winter at 600 meters, while Hurlburt was ninth at 1,600 and should be poised to move up. Mullin will probably also run the 300, and Hurlburt the 1,000.

“Spencer and Wade are coming off a great cross-country season. I’m expecting a lot from Wade because he was able to take fourth last year in the 600 and everybody above him were seniors. And from what I can tell now he’s stronger, faster and incredibly determined,” Castillo said. “Spencer is in great shape. He dropped about a minute-and-a-half from his top time in cross country.”

Castillo said freshman Gabe Praamsma could also surprise on the boys’ side in the middle distances after a strong finish to his

cross-country season. Joining him competing in the middle distances will be another freshman, Xander DeBlois, while Carter Visicaro will vie at 55 and 300 meters.

Last winter the Commodore girls’ four-by-200-meter relay also scored points, taking fifth. Only senior Munro McLaren returns from that group, but Castillo believes a quartet of McLaren, sophomore Marlie Hunt, and juniors Bess Gramling and anchor runner Cedar Winslow could prove to be a faster team.

“We placed last year, and I think this group we’re bringing in will be a little quicker overall,” he said, noting most will also probably compete as individuals at 55 and 300 meters.

Junior Ashley Cray will be looking to build on solid cross-country results, assuming she can overcome what Castillo called nagging injuries, and the final official member of the team is junior Marin Howell, who Castillo said could compete from 200 to 1,000 meters.

Unofficially, the Commodores consider a number of Mount Abraham athletes to be team members.

The Vermont Principals’ Association won’t let their points count toward the VUHS total at meets, but five Eagles train daily with the Commodores: senior multitime champion jumper/hurdler/ sprinter Lydia Pitts; senior Abby Perlee, a jumper and sprinter who is also the reigning outdoor D-II pole vault champion; senior distance runner Aidan May; senior sprinter

VUHS Cheerleading Vergennes Union High School Cheerleading Squad Coach: Jenny Johnson Alexyss MacKinnon Name Grade Ryleigh Dieterle Peighton Duprey 12 Rebekah Duprey Lianna Sargent-Maher 12 Alexis Emmons Rachel Leete 11 Kimberly Jerome Lydia Sabourin 11 Chloe Mailloux Emily Brinkman 10 Maria Malaney Brianna Billings 10 Lexi Montgomery Jenna Howlett 10 Isabel Steen Vergennes Union High School Cheerleading Date Opponent/Event Time 1/27 @ VCCA - Missisquoi TBA 2/3 @ NVAC - South Burlington TBA 2/10 @ CVCC - Rutland Middle School TBA 2/17 States, Host TBA

10 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

Vergennes Union High School Indoor Track and Field Team Coach: Brad Castillo Name Grade Munro McLaren 12 Ashley Cray 11 Bess Gramling 11 Marin Howell 11 Wade Mullin 11

Spencer Hurlburt Carter Viscaro Cedar Winslow Marlie Hunt Xander DeBlois Gabe Praamsma

11 11 11 10 9 9

PAGE 10C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 14, 2017

OTTER VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL

OVUHS

By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — New Otter Valley girls’ basketball Coach Kelly Trayah has been handed a talented and cohesive team this year, and he is excited about the coming season.

Trayah, who takes the hoop helm from OV Athletic Director Steve Keith, has been coaching girls’ basketball for 23 years, including the middle school team and the varsity girls’ AAU team in Vergennes.

For the last nine years, Trayah has coached the Vergennes junior varsity girls’ team. He has also coached varsity softball and soccer at Mount Abe. But Trayah moved to Brandon from Middlebury last year, and when the OV coaching job opened up, he jumped on it.

His daughter Rebecca lives in Brandon and he has a granddaughter at Neshobe Elementary School.

Despite the fact that the OV girls’ varsity squad graduated six players

OVUHS

By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — The Otter Valley varsity wrestling team is seeing a slight dip in numbers, but Head Coach Cole Mason said that his wrestlers are excited to get to the state championship meet, which this year will be held in Brandon at OV. Mason is in his third year as head coach of the squad and has eight wrestlers this season. With no seniors and only three returning wrestlers from last season, he will have his work cut out for him.

“The numbers weren’t what we wanted, but I’m very hopeful with the work ethic I’ve seen so far,” Mason said. “We have a lot of raw talent on this team.”

Another plus is that this year’s team will compete across several weight classes. Captain Josh Beayon, a junior, will wrestle at either 170 or 182 pounds, as will fellow junior Gadge Puro. Junior Daniel Whitney

Girls’ Basketball last June, Trayah has 12 girls with experience despite having only two seniors, Gabby Poalino and Katie Coolidge. He has two juniors, Felicity Drew and Kele Parks, but is flush with seven talented sophomores. He also has one freshman, Mallory Lufkin.

He also has some height this year with four forwards, Poalino, Coolidge, and sophomores Olivia Bernhardt and Leah Pinkowski.

Junior Parks also has the making of a forward, Trayah said.

Captains are Poalino and sophomores Julia Eastman and Alia Edmunds.

Trayah was asking about this team’s shooting.

“It’s very good,” he said. “I’m happy to have multiple guards in (sophomores) Mary Kingsley and Emily Doty, and Julia Eastman, who is our starting guard, and Mallory Lufkin. They are all very good shooters.”

Not only does OV have some size this year, Trayah said they have speed, too.

“They’re fast,” he said with a smile, “and our forwards are fast.”

Trayah said the team has great chemistry and gets along very well, and he is optimistic about the season.

“I’m really excited,” Trayah said.

“I think they’ll do well. We want a home game for the playoffs.”

OVUHS Girls’ Basketball Team Coach: Kelly Trayah Name Grade Kathryn Coolidge 12 Gabriela Poalino 12 Felicity Drew 11 Kele Parks 11 Livia Bernhardt 10 Emily Doty 10 Julia Eastman 10 Alia Edmunds 10 Isabella Falco 10 Mary Kingsley 10 Leah Pinkowski 10 Mallory Lufkin 9

Date Opponent/Event 12/14 @ Brattleboro 12/16 Proctor 12/19 Mt. Abraham 12/22 @ Middlebury 12/28 West Rutland 1/3 @ Mill River

Otter Valley Union High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball 1/6 @ Springfield 1:30 p.m.

2/1 Time 1/9 @ Woodstock 7 p.m.

2/5 7 p.m.

1/12 Mt. Anthony 7 p.m.

2/8 1 p.m.

1/16 Burr & Burton 7 p.m.

2/12 7 p.m.

1/25 Hartford 7 p.m.

2/15 7 p.m.

1/27 @ West Rutland 2:30 p.m.

2/20 7 p.m.

1/29 Windsor 7 p.m.

2/22 7 p.m.

@ Fair Haven @ Proctor @ Hartford Mill River @ Windsor @ Rutland Fair Haven

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Wrestling will compete at either 132 or 138.

The sophomores are the heavyweights for OV this year, with Jacob Jones at 220, Jared Denis at 265, and Chuck Noble wrestling at 275 pounds.

Two freshman, Levi Cram and David Williams, will wrestle at 113 and 120, respectively.

Another positive aspect of this wrestling season is the turn out for the OV middle school team, which also has eight wrestlers this year and bodes well for the future of OV wrestling.

Mason said he likes what he sees so far from his young squad.

“They’re working hard,” he said.

“They’re stubborn and hard-nosed.”

And for the first time in 12 years, the Vermont State High School Wrestling Tournament will be held at OV on Feb. 23 and 24, 2018.

Mason said that is a huge motivator for his squad.

“The thought of being able to win a one in their home gym is a pretty big deal,” he said.

Overall, Mason said he thinks this team will earn some wins this season.

“Match-wise, I think we’re going to win a lot more than we lose,” he said. “Tournament-wise, I think everyone will place.”

Otter Valley Union High School Wrestling Team Coach: Cole Mason Name Grade Joshua Beayon 11 Daniel Whitney 11 Jared Denis 10 Charles Noble 10 Gadge Puro 10 Levi Cram 9 Jacob Jones 9 David Williams 9

Date Opponent/Event 12/9 @ St. Johnsbury 12/14 MVL Duals (BBR, MR) 12/16 @ Granville 12/20 @ CVU Dual (CVU, Mt. Abe.) 12/30 Otter Valley Invitational 1/3 @ Springfield Dual 1/6 @ Mt. Anthony Tournament

Time TBA 6 p.m.

TBA 6 p.m.

9 a.m.

6 p.m.

TBA

Otter Valley Union High School Varsity Wrestling 1/9 MVL Duals (Fair Haven, Rutland)

6 p.m.

1/13 @ Nashua, NH TBA 1/16 @ Spaulding Dual 6 p.m.

1/19 @ Essex Tournament TBA 1/20 @ Essex Tournament TBA 1/24 @ Granville Dual 6 p.m.

1/27 @ Mt. Greylock Tournament TBA

2/3 @ Mt. Mansfield Tournament TBA 2/7 @ Fair Haven MVL Duals

(MAU, Midd) 6 p.m.

2/10 @ MVL Jamboree (FH) TBA 2/23 @ Otter Valley State Tourn.

TBA 2/24 @ Otter Valley State Tourn.

TBA 3/2 @ New Englands, Providence, RI

TBA

Addison Independent, Thursday, December 14, 2017 — PAGE 11C

OTTER VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL

OVUHS

By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — Devon Fuller is the new head coach of the Otter Valley Nordic ski team, and with the help of outgoing coach Bob Clark, Fuller said he wants this team to have fun.

That’s because with only one sophomore and three freshmen, the rest of the 10-member squad is comprised of middle school students, and Fuller said he wants to make sure his young charges enjoy themselves.

“Last year, this year, and the next Otter Valley Union High School Nordic Skiing Team Coach: Devon Fuller Name Grade Phoebe Elliott 10 Sarah Calvin 9 Grace Coolidge 9 Chloe Fuller 9

OVUHS

By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — The numbers are up for Otter Valley boys’ varsity basketball this year, and sixth-year coach Greg Hughes is hoping for a trip back to the Division II playoffs.

With 13 players compared to eight last year, Hughes said a deeper bench should help the Otters win more games this season.

“We were 10-10 last year,” he said. “The idea is to be better than last year.”

The Otters only lost three players to graduation but have a full slate of upperclassman with four seniors and nine juniors. Seniors Josh Letourneau and Payson Williams have been named captains.

The downside is that there are no sophomores or freshmen on this year’s squad. However, the OV junior varsity team also has healthy numbers, so coaches are hopeful that the future of OV basketball is

Nordic Skiing few years will be building years,” Fuller said. “We’re just trying to make it a lot of fun so the kids will have fun with it and want to stick with it.”

Fuller, whose ninth-grade daughter Chloe is on the squad, he brings 20 years of Nordic skiing experience to the coaching job.

Fuller and Clark have the team doing dry land training right now in anticipation of getting on some snow in the next few weeks. The head coach said they will do monthly evaluations

on the skiers’ fitness in order to help them improve. Most of the training involves running, strength training and agility exercises.

“On this team, everybody’s a winner,” Fuller said. “On previous teams, they had upperclassmen and 13 to 15 kids on the team, and that’s par for every other school. We’re just trying to make it a lot of fun. I want to introduce them to the sport, make it fun, and make it so they realize that they can push themselves farther than they thought.”

Otter Valley Union High School Varsity Nordic Skiing 1/24 @ Brattleboro Date Opponent/Event Time 1/30 @ Rutland 12/16 @ Mt. Anthony 11 a.m.

2/2 @ Burr & Burton 12/19 @ Rutland 2:30 p.m.

2/7 @ Brattleboro 1/3 @ Burr & Burton 2:30 p.m.

2/14 @ Mt. Anthony 1/5 @ Woodstock 5 p.m.

2/19 @ Woodstock 1/9 Otter Valley hosts 2:30 p.m.

1/20 @ Mt. Anthony 10 a.m.

3 p.m.

3 p.m.

6 p.m.

3 p.m.

3 p.m.

11 a.m.

Boys’ Basketball bright.

Hughes said the strengths of this year’s varsity team include experience, speed and shooting skill.

“It’s definitely a change of pace for us because a lot of these guys can play, and we’ll have a decent bench this year,” he said. “We have guard play, and we have speed, and our shooting is solid.”

Everyone knows that foul shooting can win and lose games, and Hughes has particular faith in this team’s abilities in that area.

“I have confidence that nine or 10 of them, once the ball goes up, it’ll go in,” he said.

Hughes said last year there were games the Otters should have won and didn’t, and he is working to change that.

“I want us to win the games we should win, and be in the battle with teams that may have the better of

us,” the coach said.

As for weaknesses, Hughes said he is trying to get his team focused on doing the little things.

“They tend to think that what they do will just work without putting in the necessary effort to make it happen,” he said. “I’m looking for that little extra effort.”

Over all, Hughes is very optimistic about the coming season with this team, who also have good chemistry.

“They like each other,” he said.

“They all get along, and they hang out. A lot of them have been playing together for years.”

As far as a prediction for wins and losses this season, Hughes wouldn’t say, but when asked where he’d like his team to be at the end of the regular season, he was clear.

“I’d like to finish in the same place I’d always like to finish,” he said. “As champions.”

Otter Valley Union High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball 1/26 Mt. Anthony Date Opponent/Event Time 1/30 Proctor 12/14 @ Proctor Tournament 5 p.m.

2/2 @ Fair Haven 12/15 @ Proctor Tournament 5/7 p.m.

2/6 Springfield 12/20 Middlebury 7 p.m.

2/9 Mount St. Joseph 12/22 @ Vergennes 7 p.m.

2/14 Fair Haven 12/27 @ Woodstock 5:30 p.m.

2/16 @ Mill River 12/29 @ Woodstock 5:30/7 p.m.

2/20 @ Hartford 1/3 Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

2/27 Woodstock 1/6 @ Brattleboro 1 p.m.

3/1 @ MSJ 1/10 Burr & Burton 7 p.m.

1/13 @ Mt. Abraham 12:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Otter Valley Union High School Boys’ Basketball Team Coach: Greg Hughes Name Grade Sawyer Heath 12 Josh Letourneau 12 William Kelly 12 Payson Williams 12 Jack Adams 11 Kollin Bissette 11 Nathaniel Hudson 11 Dylan Mackie 11 Marcus McCullough 11 Patrick McKeighan 11 Tyler Rowe 11 Kody Smith 11 Kameron Strickland 11

OVUHS

Cheerleading Otter Valley Union High School Cheerleading Squad Coach: Brenda Colburn Name Grade Alyssa Hutchins 12 Houston Pratt 12 Jordan Laraway 11 Kiley Martin 7 Ella Moyer 7 Lillian O’Connor 7

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