Spring High School Sports Report

Page 1

section C

April 23, 2015

addison independent presents local high school

SPORTS

FEATURING:

• team rosters • schedules • pictures and stories


PAGE 2C — Addison Independent, Thursday, April 23, 2015

MIDDLEBURY

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

Veterans to set tone for boys’ lax squad

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — In the past couple seasons, the Middlebury Union boys’ lacrosse team has worked its way back into the upper echelon of Division I, posting winning records and typically giving the top teams good battles. At the very least, Coach Dennis Smith expects more of the same this spring, for a number of reasons, starting with a half-dozen seniors with a collective 21 varsity years under their belts: defenders Austin Robinson and Justin Stone, goalie Nathan Lalonde, midfielders Bobby Ritter and Cullen Hathaway, and attacker Connor Quinn. “I’ve got two long poles that have been there for four years. I’ve got a goalie that’s been there for three. I’ve got two middies who are three-year starters, and I’ve got an attackman that’s a four-year starter,” Smith said. “I’ve got a lot of experience there and also good leadership that’s been helping them get up to speed.” The team’s younger athletes have also been blending in quickly with that veteran core, Smith said during the preseason. “We’ve got good kids, and I’ve been very happy with the young guys. We’re making progress every day,” Smith said. “That’s all we can ask for.” Also helping the Tigers gel, maybe even a little quicker than some competitors, was getting permis-

sion from Middlebury College to use its varsity artificial turf field on a regular basis, even if it meant 6:30 a.m. practices. “We’ve been fortunate with the college to be outdoors,” Smith said. “We’ve been very happy there.” Certainly, Smith is happy to have Lalonde back (senior Lucas Plouffe will again back him up) and Robinson and Stone to anchor the defense in front of him. Joining them will be freshman Fyn Fernandez at low defense and sophomore Nick Wilkerson at long-stick defensive middie. Smith said senior Sam Killorin will rotate with those two at both those position. For the most part, Smith plans to run six middies in an individual substitution pattern rather than send in three at a time as a line. He identified Ritter, Hathaway and junior Ali Abdul-Sater as the probable starters, with senior Nick Coe and sophomores Andrew Gleason and Trey Kaufmann rotating through. Seniors Ashton Bates and John McAninch and juniors Jerry Niemo and Sawyer Ryan will work to earn minutes at midfield. Quinn returns to lead the attack, where two new starters will join him, junior Jackson Hounchell and freshman Jackson Donahue. Backing them up will be juniors Seamus Eagan and River Payne and sophomore Spencer Carpenter. Collectively, those Tigers will be

looking to knock off recent champions Essex, Champlain Valley and South Burlington. “Those are the teams you always look at, and you have to face them twice in a season,” Smith said. “That’s great. In any sport you want to play the top teams, and we do that. And we’ll see where we stand after the regular season, and one game at a time after that.”

Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse 5/2 @ Mt. Mansfield Date Opponent/Event Time 5/5 @ BFA-St. Albans 4/4 @ Woodstock 11 a.m. 5/8 Colchester 4/8 Essex 4 p.m. 5/12 South Burlington 4/11 @ Rutland 11 am. 5/15 @ Spaulding 4/13 BFA-St. Albans 4 p.m. 5/19 @ Essex 4/15 Mt. Mansfield 4 p.m. 5/22 CVU 4/18 @ South Burlington 11 a.m. 5/26 St. Johnsbury 4/27 @ Woodstock 4 p.m. 4/29 @ CVU 4 p.m.

4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m.

Baseball looking to senior leadership By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — A year ago, the Middlebury Union High School baseball team won seven times and nearly pulled off a playoff upset out of the No. 11 position. A number of key players graduated from that group, but Coach Charlie Messenger remained cautiously optimistic that a less experienced Tiger team could translate effort and knowledge of the game into positive results. “They’re working hard, but they’ve got a ways to go,” Messenger said in preseason. “They know what to do. Now it’s a matter of executing.” Messenger believes the performance and leadership of the team’s six seniors — Bryce Burrell, Collin Champine, Calvin Desforges, Matt Dunton, Zac Feehan and Joe Hounchell — will probably determine the course of the Tigers’ season. “If the seniors step up, we could do OK, We’ll be right there,” he said. “We’re going to be young, so we really need the senior leadership.” Messenger expects three of those seniors, Dunton, Burrell and Champ-

Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Team Coaches: Dennis Smith Name Grade Ashton Bates 12 Cullen Hathaway 12 Sam Killorin 12 Nathan Lalonde 12 John McAninch 12 Lucas Plouffe 12 Connor Quinn 12 Bobby Ritter 12 Austin Robinson 12 Justin Stone 12 Ali Abdul Sater 11 Nick Coe 11 Seamus Eagan 11 Jackson Hounchell 11 Jerry Niemo 11 River Payne 11 Sawyer Ryan 11 Spencer Carpenter 10 Andrew Gleason 10 Trey Kaufmann 10 Nicholas Wilkerson 10 Jackson Donahue 9 Fyn Fernandez 9

Middlebury Union High School Varsity Baseball Date Opponent/Event Time 4/14 Fair Haven 4:30 p.m. 4/16 St. Johnsbury 4:30 p.m. 4/18 Rice 11 a.m. 4/25 @ North Country 11 a.m. 4/28 @ Mt. Mansfield 4:30 p.m. 4/30 Mt. Abraham 4:30 p.m. 5/5 Vergennes 4:30 p.m. 5/7 @ Spaulding 4 p.m. 5/9 Essex 11 a.m. 5/12 @ Milton 4:30 p.m. 5/14 @ BFA-St. Albans 4:30 p.m. 5/19 @ CVU 4:30 p.m. 5/21 @ Missisquoi 4:30 p.m. 5/23 Burlington 11 a.m. 5/26 Colchester 4:30 p.m. 5/29 @ South Burlington 4:30 p.m.

ine, to join junior Oakley Gordon to form the starting pitching rotation, with junior Bruce Wright also in the pitching mix. “It’s all about pitching, and the pitching is mostly seniors. If the pitchers will throw the ball over the plate, and allow us to play the game, we’ll see,” he said. Burrell returns as the No. 1 catcher, with Dunton and Feehan ready to don the gear when he takes the mound. Messenger said the right

side of the infield is pretty well set with Wright at first and Hounchell at second. The left side will see some juggling depending who is pitching. Gordon is probably the No. 1 shortstop, with Dunton ready to step in. Champine gets the nod at third base, with Dunton available there as well. Freshman Jared Messner will also see time at both shortstop and third base, Messenger said, and can also play second base.

Good Luck, Middlebury Tigers! Note: Many early-season games and events were postponed and not rescheduled as of the deadline for the Sports Report. Please check school websites for complete schedules.

In the preseason, Messenger was leaning toward starting sophomore Pierson Beatty in center field, with Desforges and sophomore Patrick Messenger flanking him. Junior Liam Smith is also vying for time in the outfield. Messenger expects the Tigers to improve as the season progresses against challenging Metro Conference competition, and just maybe break what has been a Division I postseason jinx for the program.

“We don’t have a lot of varsity experience, so it’s going to be build all year long, with the goal of getting into the playoffs and winning one. The last two years we’ve lost one-run ballgames, and they’ve all been on little things,” he said. “So, it’s going to be build all year long against a good, tough Metro league, and then that’s our goal, to get good enough to win one game, one playoff game, and that would be good for this team.”

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Middlebury Union High School Varsity Baseball Team Coach: Charlie Messenger Name Grade Bryce Burrell 12 Collin Champine 12 Calvin Desforges 12 Matthew Dunton 12 Zac Feehan 12 Joseph Hounchell 12 Ken Caul 11 Oakley Gordon 11 Liam Smith 11 Bruce Wright 11 Pearson Beatty 10 Patrick Messenger 10 Jared Messner 9

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Addison Independent, Thursday, April 23, 2015 — PAGE 3C

MIDDLEBURY

Coach: Polly Rheaume Name Grade Jordan Hubbell 12 Abby Lane 12 Autumn LaPlant 12 Annie Lindholm 12

UNION

Middlebury Union High School Varsity Softball Team Janelle Mandigo 12 Cassondra Laroche Ahleiyah Mason-Rivera 12 Hannah Lawrence Maegan Mitchell 12 Payton Buxton Krisandra Provencher 12 Ally Larocque Keri Richmond 12 Lilia Smith Makayla Foster 11 Darcy Staats

11 11 10 10 10 10

Softball setting its sights high

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — In 2014, Coach Polly Rheaume’s Middlebury Union softball team won seven times in the tough Metro Conference, picking up a number of close losses along the way. Only one starter graduated from that team, and many of the athletes played winter ball. Rheaume believes her Tigers this spring can hold their own against anyone on their schedule. “We’ll be there, ready to compete against any of them,” she said. Of course, softball is a lot about the pitching, and sophomore Payton Buxton is coming off a promising freshman campaign. And, Rheaume said, Buxton has honed her craft. “Payton’s worked hard through the winter on her pitching, and on differ-

Date Opponent/Event 4/14 Fair Haven 4/16 St. Johnsbury 4/18 Rice 4/25 @ North Country 4/28 @ Mt. Mansfield

Time 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 11 a.m. 11 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

ent pitches, and that speed’s there,” she said. Buxton or staff No. 2 hurler Maegan Mitchell, a senior, will throw most of the time to junior catcher Hannah Lawrence, a fine defender who also led the Tigers at the plate a year ago. Senior Jordon Hubbell or sophomore Ally Larocque can also fill in behind the plate, and they also provide infield depth. Three of our infield starters return, although the positions are shuffled. At least to start with, Rheaume said senior co-captain Krisandra Provencher moves from third base to first base, junior Makayla Foster would return to second base, and junior Cassondra LaRoche, mostly a first baseman last spring, would take over at shortstop.

Middlebury Union High School Varsity Softball 4/30 Mt. Abraham 4:30 p.m. 5/5 Vergennes 4:30 p.m. 5/ 7 @ Spaulding 4 p.m. 5/9 Essex 11 a.m. 5/12 @ Milton 4:30 p.m. 5/14 @ BFA-St. Albans 4:30 p.m.

Promising sophomore Darcy Staats is the newcomer and will take over third. The starting outfielders return, all now seniors: co-captain Abby Lane in left, Ahleiyah Mason Rivera in center and Janelle Mandigo in right. Two more seniors back them up, Keri Richmond and Autumn LaPlant. A wild card in the overall mix is talented sophomore utility player Lilia Smith, who Rheaume said will be tough to keep out of the starting lineup and will be pushing for playing time. In all, Rheaume believes the Tigers are good enough to challenge for their target — a Division II championship. “They’re ready to go,” she said. “We have a goal, and we’re going to meet it.” 5/19 5/21 5/23 5/26 5/29

@ CVU @ Missisquoi Burlington Colchester @ South Burlington

4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 11 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

HIGH

SCHOOL

Middlebury Union High School Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse 5/8 @ South Burlington Date Opponent/Event Time 5/11 Essex 4/4 Burr & Burton 11 a.m. 5/13 Burlington 4/7 @ Mt. Anthony 4:30 p.m. 5/16 Mt. Mansfield 4/10 Rutland 4:30 p.m. 5/18 @ Burr & Burton 4/14 @ BFA-St. Albans 4:30 p.m. 5/22 @ CVU 4/28 @ Mt. Mansfield 4:30 p.m. 5/27 South Burlington 5/1 @ Essex 4:30 p.m. 5/5 Champlain Valley 4:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 11 a.m. 4 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ lacrosse looks to contend yet again

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — Despite the field conditions that led to early morning practices on Middlebury College fields, Middlebury Union girls’ lacrosse coach Kelley Higgins said her team, a perennial Division I contender, approached this season with a positive attitude. “They’re off to a great start,” Higgins said. “They’ve been upbeat and enthusiastic, and I couldn’t ask for more.” The fact that all are likely to see considerable game action should help keep the Tigers happy. Higgins, at least to start, is carrying one goalie and 15 field players on her varsity team. “Having that small a team, everybody is going to play,” she said. That roster will probably expand as time goes on. Higgins said she placed several promising players on what she sees as a strong JV squad, with the plan to move some back up to varsity as the season progresses. “Some of these players we kind of have our eye on, we’ll pull them up

later,” she said. “I’d like to build the team up to 18 field players.” Although five seniors graduated, a core of veterans return. Senior goalie Baily Ryan — a three-sport player at that position and now a three-year starter for the lax team — is back between the pipes, and junior Annina Hare returns after starting on defense a year ago. Two starting defenders graduated, however. Sophomore Riley Fenster will move into the starting lineup after seeing time in the back a year ago, and at least to start the season Higgins has asked senior veteran midfielder Julia Rosenberg to move back and help anchor the defense. Freshman Jesslyn Hounchell will spell the starting trio of low defenders. At midfield, senior Katie Holmes and juniors Emma Best and Claire Armstrong return as starters. Higgins named junior Signi Livingston-Peters and freshman Satchel McLaughlin as likely starters, with freshman Isabel Rosenberg rotating through. Senior Eva Hirsch and junior Emma Dona-

Middlebury Union High School Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Team Coach: Kelley Higgins Name Grade Claire Armstrong 12 Eva Hirsch 12 Katherine Holmes 12 Emily Kiernan 12 Lejla Mahmuljin 12 Alexis Ouellette 12 Julia Rosenberg 12 Baily Ryan 12 Emma Best 11 Emma Donahue 11 Annina Hare 11 Signi Livingstone-Peters 11 Riley Fenster 10 Jesslyn Hounchell 9 Satchel McLaughlin 9 Isabel Rosenberg 9

hue are available at both attack and midfield, Higgins said. Senior Emily Kiernan led the attackers in scoring a year ago, and seniors Alexis Ouellette and Lejla Mahmuljin will join Hirsch and Donahue in the mix up front. Those who take the field for the opening draw might not necessarily finish the game, Higgins said. “I’m not going to put a lot of emphasis on who’s starting,” she said. D-I looks to be competitive again, with plenty of parity and the Tigers joining a group of teams jockeying for playoff position. “I think we’re going to put together a really fast and technically strong team,” she said. “It’s going to be a fun season, as last year was, all these onegoal differential games. I think we’re going to see a little bit more of the same.”


PAGE 4C — Addison Independent, Thursday, April 23, 2015

MIDDLEBURY

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

Tiger girls may set pace for track team By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — A year ago, the Middlebury Union boys’ track and field team posted a fifth-place finish in Division II that was the high-water mark among area track squads. Coach Ed Blechner said this year it might be the Tiger girls’ turn to lead the way. “The girls come back with everybody who did the bulk of the scoring at the state meet,” Blechner said. Hannah Buttolph, now a junior, had a hand in the team’s two best finishes. She won her second straight D-II high jump crown, setting a school record at five feet, three inches in the process; ran on the Tigers’ four-by-400-meter relay team that placed second; and also finished fifth at 400 meters. Two of Buttolph’s teammates on that relay squad also return, senior Kat Townsend and junior Julia Vorsteveld. And they, too, scored for the Tigers at the state meet as individuals, Townsend taking fourth at 100 meters and third in the 200, and Vorsteveld placing sixth in the triple jump. Blechner said it probably won’t be hard to find a fourth member to run on a relay team that finished five seconds behind winner Harwood this past June, with candidates including senior Kaitlin Huber, fourth at 400 meters, and freshman sprinter Chloe Kane, who has run in regional meets as well as competed in middle school. “We should have a pretty formidable four-by-four,” Blechner said. “There’s actually going to be a battle on who’s going to make that four-byfour team, because we’ve got six kids that could do it.” As for the rest of the girls’ squad, Blechner believes athletes will emerge in the course of the season. “I expect a lot more from the girls this year,” he said. Returning scorers are fewer on the boys’ side. “We lost a core group of seniors last year,” Blechner said.

Coach: Ed Blechner Name Grade Matt Becker 12 Ryan Biette 12 Robert Brisson 12 Simon-Jimmy Broucke 12 Burke Farrell 12 Michael Gyukeri 12 Kaitlin Huber 12 Isabella Jackson 12 Adam Joselson 12 Emile Mathez 12 Michelle Peterson 12 Emma Snyder-White 12 Katherine Townsend 12 Tom Weaver 12

Those who did pick up points at the state meet and return are junior sprinter Wyatt Norris, who was fifth in the 100 and fourth in the 200, and junior Chris Grier, fifth in the javelin. Blechner said he has high expectations in the sprints for Norris, plus senior Burke Farrell, who was competitive at 100 meters. “He’s been working really, really hard, along with Burke Farrell,” he said. As well as Grier, Blechner said junior Nick Beauchamp, who was just

Maranda Weekes Nicholas Beauchamp Hannah Buttolph Tsering Chophel Crystal Doran David Dregallo Matthew Ferguson Timothy Ferguson Christopher Garner Chris Grier Gretta Groves Sara Kelley Jacob Klemmer Ian McKay Danielle Morris Wyatt Norris

Middlebury Union High School Varsity Track and Field Team 12 Jacquelyn Oster 11 Hattie Lindert 11 Kyle Pecsok 11 Damien Morris 11 Nikhil Plouffe 11 Katherine Moulton 11 Lewis Short 11 Kate Oster 11 Jennie Staret 11 Kiana Plouffe 11 Haven Tate 11 Isabella Williams 11 Julia Vorsteveld 11 Benjamin Balparda 11 Burke Weekes 11 Anna Buteau 11 James Whitley 11 Arden Carling 11 Elias Wyncoop 11 Alyson Chione 11 Tobias Broucke 10 Duncan Crogan 11 Meigan Clark 10 Tucker Cummings 11 Ida Mae Danforth 10 Henry Dora 11 Henry Ganey 10 Anthony Field 11 Joshua Giard 10 Lucy Groves 11 Tasha Hescock 10 Tyler Hotte

outside the top 10 in the shot put at the D-II meet last year, could also be poised to break through. “We’ve got two throwers we have high hopes for,” he said. The Tigers should also be competitive in the distance events, where senior cross country runner Ryan Biette joins a crew that includes junior David Dregallo, senior Matt Becker, sophomore Henry Ganey, and juniors James Whitley, Christopher Garner and Nikhil Plouffe. Those six runners finished, in that order, between 8th

and 20th at 3,000 meters at the 2014 D-II state meet. As with the girls’ team, Blechner expects athletes to step up as the season progresses and they identify their best events and begin to hone their abilities. “We actually have some newcomers I think could score in the jumping events, and possibly in the hurdles,” Blechner said. Regardless of the point totals, Blechner was happy in the preseason to see a good turnout and to have

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what he called “a good group of kids” pursue larger goals. “This is a sport where you can come in last and feel great about yourself because you did a personal

William Huntington Chloe Kane Katherine Koehler Willem Landis Ezra Marks Sophia Marks Archie Milligan Meilena Sanchez Julian Schmitt Nick Scott Megan Townsend Garrett Troumbley Rosie (Emma) Vanacore Brandon Wagner Daniel Wisell Alexander Yurista

best,” he said. “But the goal is for each individual kid to not only do their personal best, but to grow as an individual and as an athlete.”

Middlebury Union High School Varsity Track and Field Winooski, Date Opponent/Event Time Chelsea 3:30 p.m. 4/14 Lyndon, Winooski @ Essex 3:30 5/18 Harwood, Lamoille, Enosburg @ p.m. Mount Abraham 3:30 p.m. 4/29 Harwood, Enosburg @ Burlington 5/26 Colchester, MMU, Richford, 3:30 p.m. Enosburg 5/5 CVU, Lake Region @ Missisquoi 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 5/30 Essex Invitational 9:30 a.m. 5/14 CVU, Mt. Abe, Vergennes,

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Addison Independent, Thursday, April 23, 2015 — PAGE 5C

MIDDLEBURY

UNION

Middlebury Union High School Girls’ Varsity Tennis Team Coach: Laura Rumbough Jesse Wulfman 12 Anna Hickley Name Grade Ember Benatti 11 Amelia Ingersoll Marvella Avery 12 Faith Isham 11 Charlotte Keathley Kade Brilmayer 12 Monroe Cromis 10 Claire Wulfman Hannah Stoll 12 Hadley Evans Nash 10 Brianna Cotroneo

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Girls’ tennis will have new look By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — More than half of the starting lineup from Coach Laura Rumbough’s 10-win 2014 Middlebury Union girls’ tennis team have moved on, but Rumbough remains optimistic after an influx of new talent. Some of those new players came aboard after lobbying by senior tricaptains Marvie Avery, Jesse Wulfman and Hannah Stoll, Rumbough said. “I credit my captains for recruiting some nice little athletes,” she said. Although in the preseason Rumbough cautioned she might juggle her lineup during the course of the spring, those three seniors should occupy three of the top four rungs on the singles ladder. The steady Avery returns after spending all of 2014 as the Tigers’ No. 1 player and winning all but one match.

Date Opponent/Event 4/8 @ Otter Valley 4/11 BFA-St. Albans 4/13 @ Lake Region 4/15 Spaulding 4/18 Lake Region

Time 4:30 p.m. 10 a.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m.

“Marvie is my veteran No. 1,” Rumbough said. But she faces a challenge for that status this spring from talented freshman Bree Cotroneo, who in the early going split two challenge matches with Avery. “Bree is a huge addition,” Rumbough said. Rumbough said she will give Avery the early edge, but keep an open mind. “They’re pretty even, but just given Marvie’s experience level and the fact that she handles pressure well, she’ll probably start out at No. 1,” she said. Jesse Wulfman returns after being the team’s top doubles player and was set for the No. 3 singles position, and Stoll, also a former doubles player, looked to be the No. 4. Rumbough projected another doubles player, sophomore Charlotte Keathley, to take over the final singles slot. But she said she could start mix-

ing and matching Keathley, junior veteran Faith Isham, junior newcomer Ember Benatti, and three promising sophomore newcomers, Monroe Cromis, Amelia Ingersoll and Claire Wulfman, into that position and on the two doubles teams. “It’s all up in the air right now,” she said. “I might decide to put two of those stronger players in doubles and have a strong No. 1 doubles team … Things can switch around. I’m not going to set it in stone.” It’s also possible that three newcomers with less experience could develop their games quickly and crack the lineup: senior Kade Brilmayer and sophomores Hadley Evans Nash and Anna Hickley. Regardless of how the lineup settles out, Rumbough is confident the Tigers will be competitive again this spring. “I’m very hopeful. I think it looks promising, for sure,” she said.

Middlebury Union High School Girls’ Varsity Tennis 4/27 @ North Country 3:30 p.m. 5/13 4/29 Harwood 3:30 p.m. 5/15 5/1 @Montpelier 3:30 p.m. 5/18 5/5 @ U-32 3:30 p.m. 5/19 5/7 @ BFA-St. Albans 3:30 p.m. 5/11 @ Spaulding 3:30 p.m.

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Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Varsity Tennis Team Co-coaches: Franz Collas and Ken Schoen Bo Tran 12 Raymond Bushey Name Grade Jonathan Fitzcharles 11 Samuel Chamberlain Robert Avery 12 Nicholas Holmes 11 Owen Hammel Eric Podraza 12 Ben Silver 11 Ronan Howlett Jerald Staret 12 Ian-Tor Bright 10 Jonathan Quesnel

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Coach returns to boys’ tennis

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Union boys’ tennis program sees the return of former coach Franz Collas to the helm this spring, this time along with a co-coach, Middlebury Indoor Tennis program director Ken Schoen. They inherit a team that won five times a year ago, good for the No. 13 seed in Division I, but saw at least three members of its starting lineup either graduate or not return. Four players, three of them senior four-year veterans, return to fill the top singles slots, the co-coaches said: senior co-captains Bo Tran and Bob Avery, junior Nicholas Holmes, and senior Jerry Staret, probably in that order. “The first four guys are pretty solid where they’re at,” Collas said. Collas and Schoen plan to rotate players through the remaining slots, although they said senior Eric Podraza, juniors Jonathan Fitzcharles and Ben Silver, and sophomore Owen Hammel had early legs up on the competition.

Collas said with four seniors graduating this June from a 13-member team, the coaches want to make sure all the other nine players gain experience. “We’re going to have a lot of turnover,” Collas said. “If we’re going to have a team next year, we want to have those kids on the back end develop. So they’re going to need to play doubles. They’re going to need to play matches.” That means a group of sophomores will see the court: Ian-Tor Bright, Raymond Bushey, Samuel Chamberlain, Ronan Howlett and Jonathan Quesnel. And that means, Collas said, dual motivations for the program this spring. “My goal right now is get into the tournament,” Collas said. “And develop players, looking down the road … If Middlebury wants a program next year, we need to pick up more players.” Schoen said the Tigers’ attitudes should help them meet those goals. He said they possess a relaxed, yet fo-

cused, approach to the sport, and treat each other and their opponents well. “This is a really great group of boys. They’re real gentlemen. They’re really good sports. They’re good team players. They take care of each other. They’re kind to each other. I think that’s spectacular. There’s a lot of leadership shown out there,” Schoen said. “They like they game, and they’re focused in a really nice way. I think they’re going to do well because they’re such nice boys, and they have good skills.” Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Varsity Tennis Date Opponent/Event Time 4/11 @ BFA-St. Albans 10 a.m. 4/15 @ Spaulding 3:30 p.m. 4/27 North Country 3:30 p.m. 4/29 @ Harwood 3:30 p.m. 5/1 Montpelier 3:30 p.m. 5/5 U-32 3:30 p.m. 5/7 BFA-St. Albans 3:30 p.m. 5/11 Spaulding 3:30 p.m. 5/13 @ North Country 3:30 p.m. 5/15 Harwood 3:30 p.m. 5/18 @ Montpelier 3:30 p.m. 5/19 @ U-32 3:30 p.m.

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PAGE 6C — Addison Independent, Thursday, April 23, 2015

MOUNT ABRAHAM UNION HIGH SCHOOL Eagle baseball’s got positive outlook in ’15 By ANDY KIRKALDY BRISTOL — With better depth and athletes vying for playing time around the diamond, Mount Abraham baseball coach Jeff Stetson is looking for a step forward after a couple of subpar springs for his historically competitive program, including a four-win season a year ago. “I’ve got two or three guys competing at every spot, which is great,” Stetson said. One key, Stetson said, will be consistent offensive production. At times over the past couple years the Eagle pitching has held up, but runs have not been there. “We’ve been passable on the mound,” Stetson said. “But we just haven’t scored runs or hit the ball for a couple of years now.” He is looking for the Eagles to “grind and battle” in each of their atbats in order to make good contact and pressure opposing defenses. “We’re working hard this year on making sure that we understand what a quality at-bat looks like,” he said. On the mound, Stetson has four pitchers to make up a rotation that he thinks can hold its own. Senior Mike

Jerome, the No. 2 starter a year ago, probably moves up a rung on the ladder, and in the preseason Stetson was looking for senior Ernie Brouillard and sophomores George Bailey and Adam Whitcomb to join the starting staff. Hard-throwing junior lefty Kenny Marcelle could be a late-inning specialist, and Stetson said he will look to seniors Joe Payea and Brandon Mansfield and junior Nick Szczecinski for spot starts and long relief. Senior Ethan Gendreau returns to handle the bulk of the catching, and junior Anthony Robideau can also don the gear. Senior Ty Combs and junior Matt Mullin will vie for time at first base, with Whitcomb also available there. The middle infield look will depend in part on who is pitching. Brouillard, Jerome, Payea and sophomore Chris Wood are all in the mix at shortstop and second base. Mansfield, Szczecinski and Bailey will compete for time at third base. The most solid preseason bet in the outfield, Stetson said, would be junior Sean Beloin in center field.

Junior Kyle Barrows, Combs, Mansfield, Marcelle, Bailey, Whitcomb and Wood could win jobs patrolling the corner outfield spots, and in some cases elsewhere. “It’s going to be an open competition,” Stetson said. “Those three sophomores are going to push some of the older kids.” Despite the competition, Stetson said the team has shown good chemistry and attitude.

Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Baseball Date Opponent/Event Time 4/17 Colchester 11 a.m. 4/21 @ Burlington 4:30 p.m. 4/23 @ CVU 4:30 p.m. 4/25 @ Otter Valley 10 a.m. 4/28 Essex 4:30 p.m. 4/30 @ Middlebury 4:30 p.m. 5/2 @ St. Johnsbury 4:30 p.m. 5/5 Milton 4:30 p.m. 5/7 @ Missisquoi 4:30 p.m. 5/9 Mt. Mansfield 10 a.m. 5/12 Vergennes 4:30 p.m. 5/14 South Burlington 4:30 p.m. 5/19 @ Rice 4:30 p.m. 5/21 North Country 4:30 p.m. 5/26 @ Spaulding 4 p.m. 5/28 @ BFA-St. Albans 4:30 p.m.

“I’m very pleased with their effort and coachability,” he said. As for results, Stetson is always mindful his Division II squad plays in the Metro Conference along with D-I teams such as Champlain Valley, Essex, Rice, South Burlington, Mount Mansfield and Burlington. “I would like to think this team could at least get to that .500 level, but a lot of teams on our schedule are pretty stacked,” he said.

Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Baseball Team Coach: Jeff Stetson Name Grade Ernie Brouillard 12 Ty Combs 12 Ethan Gendreau 12 Mike Jerome 12 Brandon Mansfield 12 Joe Payea 12 Kyle Barrows 11 Sean Beloin 11 Kenny Marcelle 11 Matt Mullin 11 Anthony Robideau 11 Nick Szczecinski 11 George Bailey 10 Adam Whitcomb 10 Chris Wood 10

Mt. Abe softball built for speed

Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Softball Team Coach: Kelly Trayah Dani Forand 11 Emily Aldrich Name Grade Anna Hauman 11 Emma Carter Ashley Boise 12 Macey Ross 11 Brooke Perlee Mary Kate Clark 12 Stacie Sabourin 11 Katelynn Ouellette Kelsey Haskins 12 Allison Sargent 11 Audrey Shahan Kendra Thompson 12 Tabitha Vincent 11 Olivia Young Britney Callaert 11 Rachel McCormick 10

Good Luck to all Spring Sports Teams!

9 9 9 9 9 9

By ANDY KIRKALDY BRISTOL — The Mount Abraham softball program has been competitive, year after year, for almost two decades, and last year defeated some of the top teams in the state on the way to earning D-II’s No. 4 seed. Despite the graduation of a number of senior mainstays from that squad, Coach Kelly Trayah is optimistic for another solid campaign. He believes the Eagles have the quickness and hitting ability to put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses, to start with. “We have just an incredible amount of speed,” he said. “It might be interesting. We might score a few more runs than in the past.” And sophomore pitcher Rachel McCormick is back after a creditable freshman campaign — and after an offseason of coaching and hard work on her craft. “She just continues to grow,” Trayah said. The Eagles also have young pitching depth in freshmen Audrey Shahan and Emma Carter, although like

Have a Great Season Eagles Date Opponent/Event 4/17 Colchester 4/21 @ Burlington 4/23 @ CVU 4/25 @ Otter Valley 4/28 Essex

Time 11 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 10 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

several other freshmen they might go up and down from varsity to JV. McCormick and the freshmen will mostly throw to junior catcher Dani Forand, who shared time behind the dish in 2014. Freshman Brooke Perlee might also catch, with Forand covering ground at third base in some games. Perlee will almost certainly start somewhere, most likely the outfield in most games, and bat leadoff, Trayah said. Senior Kelsey Haskins returns to first base and will probably bat cleanup, with juniors Macey Ross and Allison Sargent and freshman Olivia Young also seeing some innings there. Senior Mary Kate Clark and junior Anna Hauman are both second basemen who can also play outfield, while Trayah said freshman Katelynn Ouellette earned the shortstop job with her preseason play. Junior Stacie Sabourin could also see time in the middle infield, while Trayah said Carter and freshmen Emily Aldrich are versatile enough to play there or almost anywhere else

on the diamond. Senior Kendra Thompson will start at third, with Sargent as well as Forand available there. Senior Ashley Boise will patrol center field, with Perlee and either Hauman or Clark the most likely players to flank her. Juniors Britney Callaert, whose speed Trayah will use at pinchrunner, and Tabitha Vincent can also run down fly balls, as can Sabourin, McCormick if she is not pitching, Sargent, Carter and Aldrich. Trayah is confident the Eagles will field well. “We’ll hang our hat on defense,” he said. As always, the Eagles will play a tough Metro Conference schedule. Trayah hopes that competition will prepare them for the D-II postseason, and the Eagles will win enough games again to earn the right to host at least a couple playoff contests. “We know what we’re going to face in the league,” Trayah said. “If we can get some home games and go from there, we’ll be OK.”

Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Softball 4/30 @ Middlebury 4:30 p.m. 5/14 5/2 @ St. Johnsbury 4:30 p.m. 5/19 5/5 Milton 4:30 p.m. 5/21 5/7 @ Missisquoi 4:30 p.m. 5/26 5/9 Mt. Mansfield 10 a.m. 5/28 5/12 Vergennes 4:30 p.m.

South Burlington @ Rice North Country @ Spaulding @ BFA-St. Albans

4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

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Addison Independent, Thursday, April 23, 2015 — PAGE 7C

MOUNT ABRAHAM UNION HIGH SCHOOL Hard-working group fuels Eagle track & field team By ANDY KIRKALDY BRISTOL — Mount Abe track and field coaches Katie Ivory, Brent Crum and Steve Cobb, interviewed in the preseason, were looking forward to this spring, which sees three Division II point-scorers return, the promise of several athletes who could join them, and what they called an across-the-board work ethic and positive attitude. “They’re a good group,” Ivory said. “There are not huge, huge numbers this year, but everyone who has been here has been really dedicated and consistent.” Ivory’s girls’ team returns two of those point-scorers, junior high jumper Amelia Bruhl and sophomore hurdler Sofia Wolak, from whom she expects more good things. Ivory also noted Wolak has continued to work on her pole vaulting. Other veterans include senior distance runner Sarah Sodaro, who also began throwing in 2014, and two sophomores, distance runner Delayna Leavitt and sprinter Margaret Moody. Newcomers showing promise include freshman Lydia Pitts and sophomore exchange student Pia Versick. Pitts hurdled for the Eagle middle school team, but Ivory said she could thrive in a variety of events. “She’s just a really good athlete,” Ivory said. “She’s really dedicated.” Ivory described Versick as strong and athletic, and said she could make

Coaches: Brent Crum, Katie Ivory, Steve Cobb Name Grade Girls’ team: Wren Gervia 12 Sarah Sodaro 12 Amelia Bruhl 11 Julia Siminitus 11

an impact as a sprinter and thrower. The coaches will work with the other newcomers, including four other freshmen, to find both their comfort zones and strongest events. “A lot of our 9th-graders are wild cards this year because they don’t have a lot of experience, and a lot of them are really open to doing various things,” Ivory said. On the boys’ side, senior Nick Turner returns after placing in both the long and triple jumps at the 2014 state meet. Crum expects more of the same, or better. “Nick’s going to be a strong force

Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Track Team Ade Crosthwait 10 Isabel Lucarelli Delayna Leavitt 10 Abby Perlee Macey Kittredge 10 Lydia Pitts Margaret Moody 10 Emma Radler Fiona O’Neal 10 Boys’ team: Pia Versick 10 Gary Brown Sofia Wolak 10 Daniel Carrera Amaya Cota 9 Chris Carter

in the jumps again this year,” he said. “I think he’s got a fire lit under him to make his senior year his best year yet.” Senior Chris Carter also returns after solid cross-country and indoor track seasons. As well as hurdling, 400- and 800-meter races are his specialties, and Crum also hopes he will compete in the decathlon when the Eagle season concludes. “He’s coming in with a very strong work ethic,” Crum said. “Middle distances could be a great set of events for him.” Carter and sophomore distance

9 9 9 9 12 12 12

runner Jude Bunch are probable members of what could be a successful four-by-400-meter relay team, with Turner and sophomores Andrew Raymond, a sprinter, and Connor Norland, a distance runner, also in the mix. Other veterans include senior sprinters Cullen Jemison and Nick Myers, senior thrower Gary Brown, junior thrower/sprinter Andrew Cloutier, and several sophomores, pole vaulter and middle distance runner Sam Kuhns, distance runner Peter Foley, jumper and sprinter Will Aldrich, who could branch out to

Matt Giles Cullen Jemision Nick Myers Jackson Radler Nick Turner Andrew Cloutier Will Aldrich Jude Bunch

12 12 12 12 12 11 10 10

other events. In fact, Crum hopes others, including newcomers and veterans, will keep an open mind. “Getting kids to find their niche event and to be successful in that event sometimes takes a while,” Crum said. “We could have a season with a lot of kids trying to figure out what their best event is.” Like Ivory, Crum is confident the spring will be enjoyable. “We have the best kids out on the track team, as always, so I’m psyched,” he said.

Finn Clements Peter Foley Isaiah Kile Sam Kuhns Connor Norland Andrew Raymond Brian Cousineau Derek Jackson Evans Kile

10 10 10 10 10 10 9 9 9

Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Track & Field Date Opponent/Event Time 4/12 @ BFA-St. Albans 3:30 p.m. 4/29 @ CVU 3:30 p.m. 5/2 Burlington Invitational 3:30 p.m. 5/4 Host 3:30 p.m. 5/9 @ Fair Haven Relays TBA 5/14 @ Middlebury 3:30 p.m. 5/18 Host 3:30 p.m. 5/26 @ U-32 3:30 p.m. 5/30 @ Essex Invitational TBA 6/6 D-II State Championships TBA

Mount Abraham boys’ lacrosse team is fired up for a good season By ANDY KIRKALDY BRISTOL — The Mount Abraham boys’ lacrosse team has a new head coach, a New Jersey native with a decade of youth and high school playing experience and another six years of youth coaching under his belt. Ryan Fitzpatrick, a 27-year-old food service professional who works

at his alma mater, Champlain College, takes over an Eagle program that compiled an 8-7 record a year ago, including a first-round Division II playoff loss. Fitzpatrick began coaching elementary-school lacrosse to fulfill Champlain’s undergraduate community service requirements, and quick-

ly took to it. He eventually co-founded a youth organization that now has 130 youth members, and serves as the treasurer of the Northern Vermont Youth Lacrosse League. “I loved it. It was a great realization,” Fitzpatrick said. “I stuck with it. I fell in love with coaching.” During his Burlington coaching

days, he gained some familiarity with a few of his new Eagle players, including junior goalie Tucker Paradee. “I’ve got a great goalie,” Fitzpatrick said. Fitzpatrick has also been impressed with a defense led by veterans Tyrus Keith, a senior, and Matt George, a junior. Also in the mix in the back

are junior Caleb Cousino and freshman Conrad Marsano, while sophomore Will Pifer, another player Fitzpatrick knew, will take over as the team’s long-stick defensive midfielder. Sophomore Patrick Davison can also play defense and will back up Paradee. At midfield, Fitzpatrick said he has

Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Team Coach: Ryan Fitzpatrick Name Grade Gus Catlin 12 Tyrus Keith 12 Whit Lower 12 Caleb Cousino 11 Matt George 11 Charlie Myer 11 Tucker Paradee 11 Hendrix Schubinski 11 Dylan Weaver 11 Patrick Davison 10 Addison King 10 Owein LaBarr 10 Will Pifer 10 Ryan Boner 9 Toby Bunch 9 Jackson Counter 9 Nick George 9 Phoenix King 9 Conrad Marsano 9 Sam Paradee 9

Date Opponent/Event

Time

4/14 @ Vergennes 4/17 Otter Valley

4 p.m. 4 p.m.

4/28 Milton 4/30 @ U-32 5/6 Rice

Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse 4 p.m. 5/9 @ Harwood 11 a.m. 5/16 Burlington 4 p.m. 5/11 U-32 4:30 p.m. 5/18 @ Stowe 4 p.m. 5/13 @ Montpelier 4 p.m. 5/20 Lamoille

11 a.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m.

5/23 Vergennes 5/28 @ Otter Valley 5/30 @ Randolph

4 p.m. 4 p.m. 11 a.m.

a lot of confidence in his athletic top threesome of senior Gus Catlin, junior Charlie Meyer and sophomore Owein LaBarr. In the preseason, he was still working on the combinations of his second and third units. Senior Whit Lower should play a major role once he, as was expected, receives medical clearance; Lower suffered a major knee injury early in the soccer season, but Fitzpatrick said he has recovered well. The coach is waiting to see who emerges from a group that includes junior Hendrix Schubinski and freshmen Ryan Bonar, Jackson Counter and Toby Bunch. On attack, Fitzpatrick feels more certain, with juniors Dylan Weaver and Lucas Richter and freshman Sam Paradee the probable starters, with sophomore Addison King and freshman Phoenix King backing them up. Addison King or Paradee could also see time at middie. In the long run, Fitzpatrick would like to establish a strong youth program in the five-town area. “We need to get more kids playing at younger ages,” he said. “I look forward to helping with that down here. I hope I can take the same skills I did with Burlington and apply them down here. This spring, Fitzpatrick believes the Eagles will compete well. “My guys are fired up for the season,” he said. “They’re ready to go at it and give it everything they’ve got, and I think we’re going to do a fantastic job.”

ADDISON COUNTY

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Andy Kirkaldy News & Sports Writer

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Sports Coverage...

Results, Analysis, Opinion and Action Photos - Twice a Week!

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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 COUNTY Addison Independent INDEPENDENT News & Sports Writer VERMONT’S TWICE-WEEKLY NEWSPAPER Middlebury, VT 05753 • (802) 388-4944 • www.AddisonIndependent.com


PAGE 8C — Addison Independent, Thursday, April 23, 2015

OTTER VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL

Otter Valley Union High School Girls’ Varsity Tennis Team Coach: Kate Wysolmerski Name Grade Brenna Coombs 12 Sarah Young 12 Jonna Keith 11 Brigid Enright 10 Katelynne Patten 10 Ghislaine Robin 10 Sophie Wood 10 Brittney Danforth 9

Otter Valley Union High School Girls’ Varsity Tennis Date Opponent/Event Time 4/21 @ Burr & Burton 4:30 p.m. 4/27 Springfield 4:30 p.m. 4/29 Mt. Anthony 4:30 p.m. 5/4 Rutland 4:30 p.m. 5/5 @ Bellows Falls 4:30 p.m. 5/7 Woodstock 4:30 p.m. 5/13 @ Woostock 4:30 p.m. 5/14 Bellows Falls 4:30 p.m. 5/15 @ Springfield 4:30 p.m. 5/18 @ Brattleboro 5 p.m. 5/20 @ Rutland 4:30 p.m.

Otter tennis boasts OV lax team is well-rounded group hard-working players By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — The Otter Valley girls’ tennis team has its second new coach in two years, and she is very optimistic. Meet Kate Wysolmerski, who comes to OV tennis with more than 25 years of coaching experience. The Rutland resident coached at Rutland High School for a decade, as well as at the Cortina Inn Resort and Tennis Camp, the Killington Mountain Resort and Tennis Camp and the Nike Sports Tennis Camp. Wysolmerski takes over after Emily Lyons coached for one season following the retirement of longtime girls’ tennis coach Jim Samler, who wrapped up after the 2013 season. Asked for her take on this year’s squad at OV, Wysolmerski didn’t hesitate. “This particular group is the hardest working group I’ve ever had,” she said. “They don’t complain, they don’t stall. They come to work,

every day.” This year’s team features eight girls, six of whom played last year, including two seniors, Brenna Coombs and Sarah Young. Junior Jonna Keith and sophomores Brigid Enright, Ghislaine Robin and Sophie Wood are also returning players. Newcomer and freshman Brittney Danforth rounds out the squad. Wysolmerski said she is focusing on fundamentals and skills with the younger girls. With the upperclass veterans, the coach is also working on poise and strategy. Why? “Because we will be in the top singles spots and we’ll have stiff competition,” she said confidently. But the coach’s confidence doesn’t end there. She was asked which teams in Division II play this year will be the toughest opponents. “Whoever was the state championship team is our only competitor as far as I’m concerned,” Wysolmerski said.

By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — The Otter Valley boys’ lacrosse team started a pregame warm-up at Markowski Field last week to the strains of 1980s hair band music pulsing through the speakers. The music pumped up the players, getting them energized for the upcoming game. Fifth-year coach Randy Stewart was behind the music choice, but he doesn’t need any help getting excited about lacrosse. The guy loves the sport, and his enthusiasm is infectious. “This year is very exciting,” he said. “We have pretty solid upperclassmen.” Junior Collin Eugair and seniors Derek Bassette and Adam Sherwin are the captains this season, and Stewart is hoping their leadership will help the squad improve on last year’s 1-14 campaign. The OV lacrosse program is still building, but Stewart said without a middle school or junior varsity program, the varsity players come in

with a disadvantage compared to other teams with established feeder programs. “I’m still pushing for that middle school program,” he said. “It’s not so much youth as the lack of that middle school program. We need to draw more kids to that.” With 23 players on the OV varsity squad this year, the interest is there and the numbers are steady. Having seasoned returning players is definitely a strength of this year’s team, the coach said, especially on defense. “The defense is solid,” he said. “Almost all of them are returning players, and they have a better understanding of the system.”

On offense, Stewart said he has a talented attack and a strong midfield. Another boost for the Otters this year is the addition of assistant coaches Jess Milliman and Carl Gutzman. “It’s made a huge difference,” Stewart said. “We’re able to break up into groups and work on skills, work on those small skill sets.” As for what kind of record the coach would be happy with this season, Stewart said he’d love to see his Otter go 5-11, but any win will be considered a success. “We’re a very well-rounded team,” he said. “We’re not there yet, but if we keep doing what we’re doing we’ll make a difference.”

Otter Valley Union High School Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse 5/4 @ Montpelier Date Opponent/Event Time 5/8 Rutland 4/16 Mt. Anthony 5 p.m. 5/11 @ Vergennes 4/17 @ Mt. Abraham 4 p.m. 5/15 Woodstock 4/21 Vergennes 4 p.m. 5/23 @ St. Johnsbury 4/23 Randolph 4:30 p.m. 5/26 @ Hartford 4/25 St. Johnsbury 11 a.m. 5/28 Mt. Abraham 4/29 Green Mtn. Valley 4 p.m. 5/30 Burr & Burton 5/1 Hartford 4 p.m.

4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 11 a.m.

Otter Valley Union High School Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Team Coach: Randy Stewart Name Grade Derek Bassette 12 David Coolidge 12 Alex Hunt 12 Adam Sherwin 12 Marcel Denis 11 Collin Eugair 11 Jared Felkl 11 Francis Hunt 11 Trevor Lear 11 Carson Leary 11 Colton Leno 11 Jeritt Patch 11 Evan Perry 11 Keenan Pratt 11 Jove Bautista 10 Tyson Cram 10 Sean Martin 10 Collin Parker 10 Tyler Peterson 10 William Ross 10 Erik Sherman 10 Dane Bartshe 9 Jonathan McKeighan 9 Matthew Snow 9 Cody Young 9

Note: Many early-season games and events were postponed and not rescheduled as of the deadline for the Sports Report. Please check school websites for complete schedules.

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Addison Independent, Thursday, April 23, 2015 — PAGE 9C

OTTER VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL New coach upbeat on OV baseball By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — It’s the dawn of a new era for the Otter Valley baseball program. Two years after winning the Division II Championship, there is a new coach and a team of players anxious to play. Coach Mike Howe takes the helm after Coach Tim Mitchell retired at the end of last season. Mitchell coached the Otters for four years, leading the team to a state championship in 2013 after a 37-year drought. Howe, 33, was the OV junior varsity baseball coach last year. He is a graduate of Castleton State College, where he earned a business degree and played four years of baseball. He works in sales at the Mountain Top Inn in Mendon, and resides in Brandon. There are just three seniors on this year’s team — John Winslow, Connor Gallipo and Emmett Thurston. They are the last active players from the 2013 championship team, and Howe said their leadership and experience will be important this spring. “It’s extremely valuable,” Howe

said. “They know the commitment level and the work it takes to be a contender. They’re teaching these younger guys how hard they have to work and how committed to the program they have to be.” And while Howe said he does not chose captains, his three seniors are definitely in leadership roles. “I believe that all my upperclassman are leaders, and should be leaders,” the coach said. Howe has 17 players this season, which is impressive except that there is no JV team at OV this season. Howe’s roster includes four freshman and seven sophomores. “Instead of making cuts, we’re carrying everybody,” he said. One of those freshman, Daniel Allen, will be the starting catcher for the Otters this season. “He has a lot of talent,” Howe said. “He’s raw, but he’s got the ability and he’s got the drive.” On the mound, Winslow will be the starting pitcher, along with sophomores Derek Aines and Colby McKay. Thurston, a lefty, will also be throwing for the Otters. Howe said one of this team’s

strengths is up the middle, including McKay at second base, Winslow and Aines switching off at shortstop and sophomore Dominic McCullough at third base. “He’s got a great glove, and a good, strong arm,” Howe said of McCullough. If the Otters have a weakness, it is their youth, the coach said. “The learning curve is steep with a young team like this,” he said. “You have to teach the next four years in two months, and it’s tough. The game is a lot faster.” Howe has no illusions about this season, which could go either way, he said. Regardless, it sounds like Howe is in for the long haul. “We’re a competitive group,” he said. “We put a lot of pressure on ourselves. My goal every year, and I hope that’s a long, long time, is I’m going to try and win a championship. If we’re not out here working toward that…” He paused. “If things start clicking, we could get on a roll,” Howe said.

Otter Valley Union High School Varsity Baseball Date Opponent/Event Time 4/17 Mill River 4:30 p.m. 4/21 @ Fair Haven 4:30 p.m. 4/23 @ Hartford 4:30 p.m. 4/25 Mt. Abraham 10 a.m. 4/28 Burr & Burton 4:30 p.m. 5/1 @ Windsor 4:30 p.m. 5/5 Fair Haven 4:30 p.m. 5/7 Bellows Falls 4:30 p.m. 5/11 Windsor 4:30 p.m. 5/12 @ Leland & Gray 4:30 p.m. 5/15 @ Burr & Burton 4:30 p.m. 5/20 Rutland 4:30 p.m. 5/22 Brattleboro 4:30 p.m. 5/26 Mt. Anthony 4:30 p.m. 5/28 @ Mill River 4:30 p.m.

Otter Valley Union High School Varsity Baseball Team Coach: Michael Howe Trevor Brutkoski Name Grade Angelo McCullough Connor Gallipo 12 Dominic McCullough Emmett Thurston 12 Colby McKay John Winslow 12 Greg Whitney Tyler Allen 11 Daniel Allen Austin McCullough 11 Zachary Bruce Christopher Watkins 11 Jacob Sherwin Derek Aines 10 Payson Williams Keenan Ariante 10

10 10 10 10 10 9 9 9 9

OV softball keeps eye on fundamentals By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — The Otter Valley softball team started last season 0-2 and went on to win the 2014 Division II Softball Championship. After a slow start in the first couple of games in 2015, Coach Pattie Candon was asked what she expects this season to be like. She laughed. “Ask me in June,” she said. There is just no telling how the season will go, but Candon is hoping for the best. The team took a hit at graduation last year with the loss of pitching ace Taylor Aines and the big bats of Cortney Poljacik, Brittany Bushey and Megan McKeighan. But there are many returning players on this year’s squad that will try to power the Otters back to the playoffs. Senior Laura Beth Otter Valley Union High School Varsity Softball Team Coach: Pattie Candon Margaret Smith 12 Kristen Lee Name Grade Danielle Eddy 11 Hannah Williams Jenna Elliott 12 Maia Edmunds 11 Courtney Bushey Laura Beth Roberts 12 Amy Jones 11 Alyssa Falco Margaret Santell 12 Caitlyn Ketcham 11 Gabriela Poalino

11 11 10 10 9

Date Opponent/Event 4/16 @ Brattleboro 4/18 @ Mt. Anthony 4/21 @ Fair Haven 4/23 Mt. Anthony 4/25 Mt. Abraham

Time 5 p.m. 4 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 10 a.m.

Roberts returns as starting catcher, along with seniors Jenna Elliott, Margaret Santell and Margaret Smith. Candon doesn’t choose captains, but expects the leaders to lead. “If you’re going to be a leader, you’re going to be a leader whether you have the name captain or not.” Juniors Maia Edmunds, Amy Jones, Caitlyn Ketcham, Kristen Lee, and Hannah Williams also return, along with sophomore Courtney Bushey. Williams is Candon’s starter on the mound this year. Lee will also pitch. Bushey has been on the disabled list following knee surgery and has just been cleared to pitch as well. Candon said this team needs to work on game situations and strategy. Otter Valley Union High School Varsity Softball 4/28 @ Springfield 4:30 p.m. 4/30 Leland & Gray 4:30 p.m. 5/1 @ Hartford 4 p.m. 5/5 Fair Haven 4:30 p.m. 5/8 @ Rutland 4:30 p.m. 5/11 Windsor 4:30 p.m.

“We need to work on those in practice,” she said. “Work on anticipating those situations. We need to anticipate and know where we’re going with the ball.” The Otter bats are pretty strong this year, Candon said, but they need to work on not stranding base runners. “We need to stay within ourselves and connect,” she said. The team may have changed but the competition is as stiff as ever in the Marble Valley League and in D-II. Candon said Springfield and Mount Anthony are very strong teams again this year, as is Rutland. “We’re going to see some pretty good competition,” the coach said. “It’s going to be tough. We not only lost a quality pitcher, we lost some hitters. It’s something we have to go out and keep working at.”

5/15 5/18 5/22 5/25 5/28

Brattleboro Rutland Springfield @ Leland & Gray @ Mill River

5 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

Otter golfers showing potential this spring

By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — The Otter Valley golf team is hoping for good playing conditions this spring season, and Coach Tom Ryan thinks this group could make its mark. “We’re excited,” he said. “I have a number of them who are learning, but I also have five members or so who could be competitive.” Ryan, now in his 11th year coaching the OV squad, is optimistic and

his numbers are steady. He has 10 golfers this year, a healthy number in a time when some schools are seeing a decline in participation. Ryan said the proximity and interest of the Neshobe Golf Club in Brandon is key to keeping OV students interested in the sport of golf. “It’s a great place to learn the game,” he said. “(Neshobe Golf Pro) Rodney Bicknell does everything he can to help encourage the game and

Otter Valley Union High School Boys’ Varsity Golf 5/8 @ Green Mountain 3:30 p.m. Date Course Time 5/11 @ Proctor 3:30 p.m. 4/20 @ Rutland 3:30 p.m. 5/13 @ Crown Point (D-11 Qual.) 9 a.m. 4/22 Neshobe 3:30 p.m. 5/14 @ Equinox 3:30 p.m. 4/27 @ Rutland 3:30 p.m. 5/18 @ Rutland 1:30 p.m. 4/29 Neshobe 3:30 p.m. 5/21 @ Woodstock 3:30 p.m. 5/1 @ Green Mountain 3:30 p.m. 5/26 @ Rutland 9 a.m. 5/4 @ Okemo 3:30 p.m. 5/5 Neshobe 1:30 p.m.

reach out. Having Neshobe right in town enables me to have good numbers.” The level of play on the OV squad is improving each year, the coach said. Ryan counts senior Joey Scarborough and junior Colin Nicklaw as his captains this season. He also expects some good golfing from senior Ben Lones, sophomores Tom Kingsley and Eric Laughlin, and freshman Will Kelly. “Three years ago, we bottomed out,” Ryan said. “Last year, we beat

some teams. This year we want to win some more matches.” And there is a good chance they will. There are five schools in Division II South: OV, Woodstock, Springfield, Fair Haven and Mill River. Ryan said Woodstock and Springfield may be the top two that go to the state championship, but OV has a chance. “We’ll probably be the third team, but you never know,” he said. “We’re in the conversation.”

Otter Valley Union High SchoolVarsity Golf Team Coach: Tom Ryan Cameron Lacoille Name Grade Eric Laughlin Ben Lones 12 Michael Beauregard Josef Scarborough 12 Austin Billings Colin Nicklaw 11 Hunter Eddy Thomas Kingsley 10 William Kelly

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PAGE 10C — Addison Independent, Thursday, April 23, 2015

VERGENNES

Vergennes Union High School Varsity Track 5/14 @ Middlebury Date Opponent/Event Time 5/20 @ Mt. Mansfield 4/22 @ Essex 3:30 p.m. 5/30 @ Essex Invitational 4/28 @ Colchester 3:30 p.m. 6/6 States @ Fair Haven 5/2 @ Burlington Invitational 10 a.m.

3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m.

UNION

Vergennes Union High School Varsity Track Team Coaches: Jeff Kauffman, Brad Castillo Name Grade Girls: Alyse Beachemin 12 Sammy Kepes 12 Allyson Stearns 12 Paige Stolen 12 Sadie Kass 10 Sophie Parker 10 Olivia Hawkins 9 Boys: Dana Ambrose 12 Chris Castillo 12 Sebby Crowell 12 Jake Dombek 12 Liam Hayes 12 Wesley Miedema 12 Evan Myers 12 Quinn D’Andrea 11 Silas Mullin 11 Xavier Provencher 11 Ben Praamsma 9

HIGH

SCHOOL

VUHS softball has huge potential

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — This past June, four senior starters graduated who played vital roles as the Vergennes softball program reached new heights in recent years, including a berth in the 2014 Division II final. But Coach Mike Sullivan remains confident his Commodores will continue to compete at a high level. In the preseason, Sullivan said he sees “huge potential” in the 2015 Commodores. “It’s not a bare cupboard,” he said. The loss of three of the top four hitters in the lineup will mean a little different approach, especially when coupled with the speed and contacthitting ability Sullivan said this year’s Commodores possess. He plans to use those assets to put pressure on opposing defenses rather than sit back and wait for big innings. “We’re actually going to be chang-

ing our philosophy a little bit,” Sullivan said. “Our team definitely looks like a small-ball team.” Three of those graduates took turns as staff pitching aces, but Sullivan said junior Tamara Aunchman, the starting third baseman a year ago, worked on the mound in the offseason and threw well for her summer team. “She’s kind of emerging as my No. 1,” Sullivan said, although he added will not hesitate to turn to juniors Megan Martin or Karina Tarte, either. Senior Felicia Armell returns as the starting catcher and is a threat on the basepaths, while Sullivan plans to have sophomore Taylor Bresnick take over at first base. Versatile senior K.C. Ambrose returns at second base and has also played shortstop and catcher. Sullivan said some combination of Ambrose, Martin and Tarte will play the two middle infield positions,

while juniors Nikki Salley and Nicole Stearns will vie for time at third base. Salley could also roam the outfield if needed, Sullivan said, and might also DH. Senior Kayla Charron is the incumbent left fielder and carried one of the team’s highest batting averages in 2014. Junior Sarah PoirierThayer saw time in right field last season and will most likely move over to center this spring, while speedy junior Jaymee Fulcher could take over in right field. A school trip and spring vacations will pose some personnel problems early on, and possibly slow the team’s development, Sullivan said. But he is confident the Commodores will come on strong. “I think this team is just going to have to find its own identity,” Sullivan said. “By the end of the season we should be right there.”

Veterans bring strength to VUHS track By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — This spring is shaping up like most in the history of the Vergennes track and field program. There are not huge numbers for a program that spends a lot of its preseason running in hallways waiting for fields to thaw, but the roster is dotted with athletes who will almost certainly fare well at the Division II championship meet. Voted most likely to succeed by Co-Coach Jeff Kauffman was senior Chris Castillo, this past winter’s indoor D-II triple jump champion and the 2014 D-II runner-up in the event. Castillo also ran on the Commodores’ second-place four-by-100-meter relay team a year ago, and has been competitive in the long jump. “Chris will anchor our relays and do his jumping thing,” Kauffman said. Two of Castillo’s classmates ran with him on the 2014 second-place 4X100 team, Sebby Crowell and Jake Dombek. One of a trio of seniors will fill the remaining slot, Liam Hayes, Evan Myers and Dana Ambrose. Kauffman also expects that same

group to fare well in individual 100-, 200- and 400-meter events, and will also have the luxury of choosing from among them for what he believes will also be a strong 4X400 squad. Kauffman also believes his distance crew is able to take a step forward this year, with senior Wesley Miedema, a competitive cross-country runner joining the track team for the first time, complementing a group of younger runners: juniors Quinn D’Andrea, Silas Mullin and Xavier Provencher, and freshman Ben Praamsma. He said the Commodore boys are also excited about fielding a 4X800 team for the first time in several years. “The distance squad is youngish,” Kauffman said. “Wesley will definitely help them out.” On the girls’ side, two veteran scorers return, senior middle distance runner Paige Stolen and senior thrower Ally Stearns. Stolen took sixth at 800 meters and ran for the Commodore girls’ fourthplace 4X400 team at last year’s state meet. Kauffman expects Stolen to move

up this spring. “We expect her to run well. Top three or four is what we’re looking for,” he said. Stearns was fifth in the shot put in 2014 outdoors, and then took third indoors in February. Kauffman said she might be ready to break through. “We still want to win a state championship with her. It’s going to be hard. The best throwers right now are in D-II, but she’s consistently throwing 30-plus (feet),” he said. Sophomore distance runner Sadie Kass had some strong finishes indoors this winter, and classmate Sophia Parker will join her at 800 and 1,500 meters. Handling the sprints for the VUHS girls will be sophomore Alyse Beauchemin and freshman Olivia Hawkins. Overall, Kauffman expects the Commodores to once again have quality, if not quantity. “That’s kind of how we represent and we have as long as I can remember,” he said, “smaller teams with really quality runners and sprinters, and a thrower.”

Vergennes Union High School Varsity Softball 5/9 Spaulding Date Opponent/Event Time 5/12 @ Mt. Abraham 4/21 BFA-St. Albans 4:30 p.m. 5/14 North Country 4/23 Burlington 4:30 p.m. 5/19 @ St. Johnsbury 4/25 @ CVU 11 a.m. 5/21 South Burlington 4/28 Colchester 4:30 p.m. 5/23 @ Rice 4/30 @ Essex 4:30 p.m. 5/26 @ Mt. Mansfield 5/5 @ Middlebury 4:30 p.m. 5/28 @ Missisquoi 5/7 Milton 4:30 p.m.

11 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 11 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

Vergennes Union High School Varsity Softball Team Coach: Mike Sullivan Name Grade K.C. Ambrose 12 Felicia Armell 12 Kayla Charron 12 Tamara Aunchman 11 Jaymee Fulcher 11 Megan Martin 11 Karina Tarte 11 Sarah Poirier-Thayer 11 Nikki Salley 11 Nicole Stearns 11 Taylor Bresnick 10

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Addison Independent, Thursday, April 23, 2015 — PAGE 11C

VERGENNES

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

Baseball returns to varsity level

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — Change has come again to the Vergennes baseball program, which due to a numbers crunch in 2014 competed at the JV level. This year, the Commodores will return to varsity competition, and will do so under new, but familiar, leadership. After 13 successful years, including two Division II championships, George Ringer resigned as head coach this past offseason. During those 13 years, Dwight Burkett served as Ringer’s right-hand man, and this spring he takes over as the program’s head coach, with Peter Stapleford returning to assist. Burkett is taking the long view for the program that will again compete in the state’s toughest league, the Metro Conference, while fielding a roster of 13 athletes that includes two sophomores and five freshmen. “It’s definitely a challenge, so we’re absolutely looking at this as a rebuilding phase. Last year we barely had enough people on the roster to play the JV schedule, and this year it looks like we’ll have solid numbers, the challenge being getting back to playing a varsity schedule in Metro,” Burkett

said. “Everybody knows what a tough schedule that is and the teams that we’ll be up against.” In the long run, Burkett said he and VUHS activities director Peter Maneen agreed on an approach that includes cooperating with area Little League officials and coaches — meetings have already been held — to establish an approach that will emphasize fun and active practices. Only that way, Burkett said, will the high school be able to rebuild a thriving program with JV and varsity teams. “The challenge we identified is somehow trying to work together with the feeder systems and build a little more excitement down there and build the numbers back up,” Burkett said. “The real key is having good numbers in your feeder system and having kids down there engaged and continuing to play baseball.” As for this spring, Burkett believes Commodores will at the very least be competitive and enjoy themselves. “I’m really cautiously optimistic with this group of kids. They’re having fun. They’re engaged. They’re working hard,” he said. “To me, right now, in the rebuilding phase that we’re

in, the challenge is to keep them having fun and playing.” There is established talent: Seniors Dylan Raymond and Chris Leach started for the Addison County American Legion team this past summer, and sophomore Devon Kimball also saw time for the AC nine. Among others, Burkett is also high on senior transfer Dustin Hurtile and sophomore Hunter O’Connor. O’Connor could be the top starter on the mound, and Raymond, Leach, Hurtile and freshman Will Wormer round out the staff. Leach is the No. 1 catcher, with Kimball and freshman Samir Kadric also ready to don the gear. Hurtile and Kimball can both play first base, and in the preseason Burkett was projecting senior Josh Sickles at second base, junior Nate Rowls at shortstop, and Raymond at third base. Leach can play third if Raymond pitches, Burkett said. Kimball could start in center field, with senior Alex Bushey, freshman Camden Simpson and O’Connor Burkett’s other top preseason choices to start. Versatile freshmen Ethan Sausville, Thomas Richards and Wormer could slot in almost anywhere around

the diamond, Burkett said. Burkett expects some good things out of the Commodores. “We have a core of really talented kids at key positions,” Burkett said.

“I’m not going to make a prediction of how many games we’re going to win, but I think we’re going to surprise a few people.”

Vergennes Union High School Varsity Baseball 5/9 Spaulding Date Opponent/Event Time 5/12 @ Mt. Abraham 4/18 Winooski 11 a.m. 5/14 North Country 4/21 BFA-St. Albans 4:30 p.m. 5/19 @ St. Johnsbury 4/23 Burlington 4:30 p.m. 5/21 South Burlington 4/25 @ CVU 11 a.m. 5/23 @ Rice 4/28 Colchester 4:30 p.m. 5/26 @ Mt. Mansfield 4/30 @ Essex 4:30 p.m. 5/28 @ Missisquoi 5/5 @ Middlebury 4:30 p.m. 5/7 Milton 4:30 p.m.

11 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 11 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

Vergennes Union High School Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team Coach: Dwight Burkett Name Grade Alex Bushey 12 Dustin Hurtile 12 Chris Leach 12 Dylan Raymond 12 Josh Sickles 12 Nate Rowls 11 Devon Kimball 10 Hunter O’Conner 10 Samir Kadric 9 Thomas Richards 9 Ethan Sausville 9 Camden Simpson 9 Will Wormer 9

Boys’ lacrosse looks to take step forward

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — With almost all the key starters and role players returning from 2014’s four-win team, VUHS boys’ lacrosse coach Ed Cook was looking for the Commodores to take at least a modest step forward this spring. “I think our varsity team is going to be OK for us, one of the better-skilled teams we’ve had in the past few years. The majority of my team are juniors, and it’s the same kids I’ve had on varsity for two years,” he said. “I think we’re going to be OK. I think we’re going to be able to compete with the U-32s and the Miltons and the Montpeliers, the small schools that are right around our size.” Cook noted that virtually the entire defense is back, the goalie is a threeyear starter and many middies return. Only the attack, where only one starter

will play in the same position, lacks experience. “Our defense is going to be very good. Our attack is going to be a work in progress. Out middies are going to be better than they have been in the last couple years,” Cook said. “And they’re all older. They’ve all had a couple of seasons of varsity lacrosse under their belts.” That backline begins with junior goalie Broc Clark. Senior Erik Eisenhower will, at least to start with, move back to low defense from long-stick middie, but could move back further up the field if a nagging injury permits. He, juniors Jeb Hodsden and Hunter Mashak, and sophomore Jack Eisenhower will rotate through the three defensive positions, while Bradley Sturtevant will be the long-stick defensive midfielder. Juniors Lathrop Brownell and Tyler

Date Opponent/Event 4/21 @ Otter Valley 4/24 Lamoille 4/25 @ Randolph 4/28 Randolph

Vergennes Union High School Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse 4/30 @ Milton 7 p.m. 5/15 Time 5/1 @ Rice 4 p.m. 5/18 4 p.m. 5/6 Stowe 4 p.m. 5/20 4:30 p.m. 5/9 @ Burlington 11 a.m. 5/23 11 a.m. 5/11 Otter Valley 4:30 p.m. 5/27 4 p.m.

Kepes look to be set on the top midfield threesome, with either senior Luke Stinchfield or junior Ethan Reardon joining them. Either Stinchfield or Reardon will form a second unit with juniors Aaron Gaines and Gunnar Sonwaldt, and junior Brett Woods and sophomore Trevon Smith will also see time at midfield. Junior Tyler Crowningshield returns to lead the attack trio, with senior

Deighlin Lynes moving up to the front from midfield and junior Tyrell Montani rounding out the starters. Cook said those three will see the bulk of the time, but sophomore Max Ratti-Bicknell would spot in at attack. Cook said the Commodores are working hard, and that even a modest improvement within some games could swing their record in a positive direction.

@ U-32 Milton @ Harwood @ Mt. Abraham Montpelier

4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 11 a.m. 4 p.m.

“I was looking back at our scores from last year, and some of those games there was a one- or two-goal difference. That’s just lack of experience, a little lack of skill, situational lacrosse where we might not have been in that situation before and didn’t know how to handle it,” Cook said. “And I think this year we’ll be able to.”

VUHS Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Team Coach: Ed Cook Name Grade Erik Eisenhower 12 Deighlin Lynes 12 Luke Stinchfield 12 Lathrop Brownell 11 Broc Clark 11 Tucker Crowningshield 11 Jack Eisenhower 11 Aaron Gaines 11 Jeb Hodsden 11 Tyler Kepes 11 Hunter Mashak 11 Tyrell Montani 11 Ethan Reardon 11 Gunnar Sonwaldt 11 Brad Sturtevant 11 Brett Woods 11 Max Ratti-Bicknell 10 Trevon Smith 10


PAGE 12C — Addison Independent, Thursday, April 23, 2015

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