Winter sports section 2014

Section C

ADDISONINDEPENDENT ADDISON INDEPENDENT

WINTER 2014–2015

sports

FEATURING • team rosters • schedules • pictures and stories

PAGE 2C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014

MIDDLEBURY

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

Tiger boys’ basketball optimistic for success

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — Last winter, the Middlebury Union High School boys’ basketball team won 11 times and earned the No. 7 seed in the Division I playoffs.

Now, Coach Chris Altemose is optimistic the Tigers, after returning most key players and adding talent, could do better.

“We’re in a better spot than we were last year, and have some nice additions to our team, some athletic kids,” Altemose said. “They’re all great guys, all working hard, getting along well.”

A half-dozen key rotation players from a year ago return. Altemose during the preseason projected that senior point guard Bobby Ritter, senior center Sam Holmes, senior forwards Bryce Burrell and Connor Quinn, and junior guard Oakley Palmer would start, while senior guard Cullen Hathaway would come off the bench to provide an offensive spark.

Three newcomers could be the top subs: senior forward Austin Robinson, who has returned to the sport; junior Nicholas Holmes; and sophomore forward Trey Kaufmann.

Also seeking minutes in the frontcourt are juniors Jonathan Fitzcharles and Wilder Perera, while juniors Nick Coe, Jackson Hounchell and Liam Smith provide backcourt depth.

Altemose plans to use that depth this winter to ask the Tigers to play high-energy basketball.

“We’re trying to run. We’re trying to get after the ball a little bit, see if we can play up-tempo,” he said. “We want to be really aggressive. We have to work really hard on the boards and start everything with some good defense.”

That defense will be primarily

man-to-man to take advantage of team quickness.

“So far what we’ve worked on is trying to play some good, solid manto-man defense,” Altemose said.

Exactly how good the Tigers can be Altemose described in the preseason as “hard to say,” but he said their potential is “pretty high.”

“My hope is that it all comes together at the right time and we’re

playing our best ball at the end of the season,” he said, “and I think we can do that.”

He is sure about his team’s attitude.

“It’s a fun group of guys. I know they are going to work hard, and they’re going to compete,” he said.

“I think we’re going to have a fun season.”

Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Basketball Team Coach: Chris Altemose Assistant Coach: Keith Collins Name Grade Bryce Burrell 12 Cullen Hathaway 12 Samuel Holmes 12 Connor Quinn 12 Bobby Ritter 12 Austin Robinson 12 Nick Coe 11 Jonathan Fitzcharles 11 Oakley Gordon 11 Nicholas Holmes 11 Jackson Hounchell 11 Wilder Perera 11 Liam Smith 11 Trey Kaufmann 10

Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball Date Opponent/Event Time 12/13 @ Harwood 1 p.m.

12/18 @ Colchester 7 p.m.

12/20 Montpelier 12:30 p.m.

1/3 Rutland 12:30 p.m.

1/6 Otter Valley 7 p.m.

1/9 Fair Haven 7 p.m.

1/13 @ Fair Haven 7:30 p.m.

1/17 @ Burr & Burton 2:30 p.m.

1/20 Milton 7 p.m.

1/23 @ BFA-St. Albans 7:30 p.m.

1/29 @ Missisquoi 7:30 p.m.

1/31 @ Milton 11:30 a.m.

2/3 Vergennes 7 p.m.

2/6 @ Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

2/9 BFA-St. Albans 7 p.m.

2/12 Missisquoi 7 p.m.

2/17 Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

2/19 @ Vergennes 7 p.m.

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Middlebury Union High School Varsity Dance Team Date Opponent/Event Time 1/10 @ Colchester 1 p.m.

1/24 @ Mt. Anthony 5 p.m.

1/31 @ South Burlington 1 p.m.

2/6 Middlebury Host 7 p.m.

2/14 NVAC @ BFA-St. Albans 1 p.m.

2/21 State Champs @ Vergennes Noon 3/7 New Englands @ Braintree, MA

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Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014 — PAGE 3C

MIDDLEBURY

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

Middlebury Union High School Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey Date Opponent/Event Time 12/13 @ U-32 2 p.m.

12/15 @ Saranac Lake, N.Y. 6:15 p.m.

12/17 @ Missisquoi 6 p.m.

12/20 So. Burlington 7 p.m.

12/29 Spaulding 5 p.m.

12/30 Northfield 5 p.m.

1/3 North Country 7 p.m.

1/7 @ Rutland 4:15 p.m.

1/9 @ Essex 7:45 p.m.

1/17 Rice 5 p.m.

1/21 Burr & Burton 5 p.m.

1/23 BFA-St. Albans 5 p.m.

1/28 @ So. Burlington 5:20 p.m.

2/4 Rutland 7 p.m.

2/7 Essex 7 p.m.

2/11 @ Spaulding 5:30 p.m.

2/14 @ Burr & Burton 7:30 p.m.

2/18 @ BFA-St. Albans 7 p.m.

Middlebury Union High School Girls’ Hockey Team Coaches: Derek Bartlett, Matt Brush & Tim Howlett Name Grade Erika Carroll 12 Angela Carone 12 Carey Anne Howlett 12 Baily Ryan 12 Harper Smith 12 Allison White 12 Lauren Bartlett 11 Emma Best 11 Mikayla Humiston 11 Sara Kelley 11 Tajah Marsden 11 Julia Carone 10 Monroe Cromis 10 Rowan Hendy 10 Molly Wetmore 10 Helen Anderson 9 Katie Billings 9 Andrea Boe 9 Abby Gleason 9 Tulley Hescock 9 Jesslyn Hounchell 9 Satchel McLaughlin 9 Raven Payne 9

Girls’ hockey team moves to D-I after winning D-II title

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — Following up a championship season can often be tough, but for the Middlebury Union High School girls’ hockey team it might be even more difficult.

This past winter, the Tigers completed a steady rise over the past few seasons by claiming the program’s first title, the Division II championship.

But with strong numbers and talent in the program, co-coaches Tim Howlett, Matt Brush and Derek Bartlett, with the backing of school administrators, petitioned to compete in Division I this winter.

“We decided to go up,” Bartlett said. “We’re really excited about that. We feel like the skill set is there with the players.”

At the same time, the coaches know it won’t be a walk in the park for what is still a young team, with only five seniors and nine freshmen on its roster of 22. Bartlett said “developing confidence early” will be key, as well as adapting to the “much faster pace” of D-I. “We know we’ll have to rise to the challenge every time we step on the ice,” he said. “It’s just going to be competing at a high level.”

It helps that, although three key players graduated, many return to play the two-forward, three-back Middlebury College system the Tigers will use.

The first group of backs, at least to start, includes junior veterans Lauren Bartlett and Emma Best (who returns after missing last winter with an injury) and sophomore Molly Wetmore, and the second group includes senior veteran Angela Carone and junior veterans Tajah Marsden and Sara Kelley. Freshmen Abby Gleason, Satchel McLaughlin and Raven Payne comprise a third group of

blue-liners, with senior Erika Carroll also in the mix.

Up front, the Tigers could run as many as five duos. In the preseason, the coaches were planning to pair sophomore veteran Julia Carone with freshman Helen Anderson, senior Alli White with sophomore Monroe Cromis, freshmen Andi Boe and Tulley Hescock, senior Harper Smith with junior Mikayla Humiston, and senior CareyAnne Howlett with freshman Jesslyn Hounchell.

Bartlett said the coaches hope to be able to deploy all the groups.

“Our plan is to use them as much

as possible,” he said.

In goal, senior Baily Ryan returns for her fourth year, with sophomore Rowan Hendy also in the mix to start games and freshman Katie Billings providing depth.

Many of the younger Tigers are coming off successful youth hockey careers, and the coaches were looking forward to a competitive blend.

“We have a talented group of kids coming in to join with the players that have returned from last year’s state championship team,” Coach Bartlett said. “We’ve been able to reload, if you will.”

Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey Date Opponent/Event Time 12/13 @ Rutland 3 p.m.

12/27 Harwood 7 p.m.

12/29 Lake Placid 7 p.m.

12/30 NCCS 7 p.m.

1/3 @ Lyndon Institute 4 p.m.

1/7 @ Mt. Mansfield 8:15 p.m.

1/10 Stowe 7 p.m.

1/17 Brattleboro 7 p.m.

1/21 Burr & Burton 7 p.m.

1/23 St. Johnsbury 7 p.m.

1/28 @ Woodstock 5:40 p.m.

1/31 Burlington 7 p.m.

2/4 @ Hartford 6 p.m.

2/6 Lake Placid Tournament 5:30 p.m.

2/7 Lake Placid Tournament TBA 2/11 @ U-32 7 p.m.

2/14 @ Missisquoi 2 p.m.

2/18 Northfield 7 p.m.

Boys’ hockey motivated after falling in D-II title game

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — This past winter, the Middlebury Union boys’ hockey team came up just short of a Division II title, falling to Stowe in the championship game.

Several key contributors graduated, but Coach Derek Bartlett believes the Tigers have the talent and drive to contend again this season, although they are young — defensemen Justin Stone and Nathan Lalonde are the only seniors.

“We have a great opportunity to compete for a state title with what we have,” he said. “They had a taste of what it takes last year, and want to get back.”

The Tigers will again use a threeback, two-forward system, with a sprinkling of veterans on most units, at least as they were drawn up in the preseason.

The No. 1 group in the back will include Stone, sophomore veteran Andrew Gleason and freshman Krys-

tian Gombosi. Next up are Lalonde and juniors Morgan Huestis and River Payne, and Bartlett can spell them with sophomores Erik Sherman and Brett Viens.

Juniors Tyler Crowningshield and Colton Leno form the top duo up front, with juniors Jerry Niemo and Seamus Eagan right behind. Next up will be sophomores Eli Tucker and Josh Girard, followed by sophomore Marty Niemo and freshman Jack Donahue, with junior Ken Caul also in

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Bartlett said he is confident in the Tigers’ ability to score, but it will be vital to develop their ability to transition cleanly out of the back and avoid costly turnovers in their own end.

“I think we can put the puck in the net,” he said.

Bartlett is also confident in the ability of veteran junior goalie Sawyer Ryan and improving sophomore Doug DeLorenzo to keep the puck

out of the net at the other end.

“They’ll both see time this year,” he said.

Bartlett was also pleased with how quickly the team’s newcomers were picking up the system.

“They grasp what we’re trying to do,” he said.

Success, and maybe a win in that last game, Bartlett said, will come down to a fundamental.

“We just need to compete every night,” he said.

Middlebury Union High School Boys’ Hockey Team Coach: Derek Bartlett Assistant Coaches: Jim Derosia & Chase Goodrich Name Grade Nathan Lalonde 12 Justin Stone 12 Kenneth Caul 11 Tyler Crowningshield 11 Seamus Eagan 11 Morgan Huestis 11 Colton Leno 11 Gerald Niemo 11 River Payne 11 Sawyer Ryan 11 Elijah Tucker 10 Douglas Delorenzo 10 Joshua Girard 10 Andrew Gleason 10 Martin Niemo 10 Erik Sherman 10 Brett Viens 10 Jackson Donahue 9 Krystian Gombosi 9

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PAGE 4C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014

MIDDLEBURY

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

Middlebury Union High School Varsity Wrestling Date Opponent/Event Time 12/18 Spaulding, Randolph 6:30 p.m.

12/20 Granville Lions Invitational

9:30 a.m.

12/30 Hubie Wagner Invitational

9:30 a.m.

1/6 Vergennes @ Mt. Abe 7 p.m.

1/10 Mt. Anthony Invitational 9:45 a.m.

1/12 Host St. Johnsbury, Essex

6:30 p.m.

1/16 Peru Invitational TBD 1/17 Peru Invitational TBD 1/22 Keene @ Bellows Falls 5:15 p.m.

1/24 Bob Benoure Invit’l @ Vergennes

10 a.m.

1/28 CVU @ MMU 6 p.m.

1/31 Corinth Invitational 9:30 a.m.

2/4 Randolph Union @ Spaulding

6 p.m.

2/10 Host Vergennes, Mt. Abraham

6:30 p.m.

2/11 Mt. Anthony/OV @ Mill River

5:30 p.m.

2/14 NVAC Dual @ CVU TBD 2/27 Host State Championships TBD 2/28 Host State Championships TBD 3/6 New England Championships TBD 3/7 New England Championships TBD

Middlebury Union High School Wrestling Team Coach: Ethan Raymond Assistant Coaches: Jon Ashley & John Whitney Name Grade Christopher Gobbi 12 Benn Lussier 12 Felicia Baslow 11 Nicholas Beauchamp 11 Kyle Desabrais 11 Nathan Gebo 11 Wyatt Laberge 11 James Whitley 11 Josef Langevin 10 Julia Baslow 9 Dustin Davio 9 Tyler Hotte 9 David Many 9 Ryan Morgan 9 Ben Murray 9 Robert Pike 9 Joe Whitley 9

Middlebury wrestling has strong numbers, contenders

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury Union wrestling coach Ethan Raymond had a couple things to be happy about in the preseason: Almost 20 wrestlers signed up for his program, including eight freshmen, and some of his athletes could fare well on the state stage.

Raymond wished more wrestlers didn’t tip the scales in the same weight ranges — seven started between 133 and 138 pounds, and three are heavyweights. The most of the 14 weight classes the Tigers can cover is probably nine, but he was still pleased with the interest in the sport.

“Our numbers are up higher than

they’ve been in years. Yes, they’re in similar weights, but at least they’re up,” Raymond said, adding of the many freshmen, “Eight is the biggest class we’ve had in a while.”

Two New England qualifiers return, but unfortunately one suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the early going this winter, senior Christopher Gobbi, a finalist at 220 pounds in the state meet a year ago who was set to wrestle again at that weight. Raymond said a year of experience and the seasoning of this past winter’s state tournament could have helped Gobbi win his final match this time around.

Junior Nathan Gebo took third at 106 pounds this past winter and will

move up to 113 this season. Raymond is optimistic Gebo will continue to excel.

“It’s only one weight class, but the kids will be a little bigger, a little stronger. Hopefully he will be, too.

He’s done a lot of summer work, put in a lot of offseason work,” he said.

Two juniors who had solid seasons a year ago could also be ready to blossom, Raymond said, pointing to Nick Beauchamp at 195 and James Whitley at 138.

“Like I always tell the kids, you’ll find the biggest growth is between the sophomore year and the junior year,” Raymond said.

Probable starters at other weight classes were:

• Freshman Ben Murray at 120.

• Freshman Dustin Davio at 126.

• Junior Kyle Desabrais, who finished strong a year ago, at 132.

• Freshman Tyler Hotte at 182, assuming Hotte recovers from an injury.

• Either senior Benn Lussier or junior Wyatt Laberge at 275, although Laberge is fighting a knee injury.

“We’re a little banged up,” Raymond said.

Over the year, Raymond said he expects his other freshmen not only to emerge, but also to start filling the empty weight slots in the Tiger lineup.

“As they mature down the road they’ll start to spread out,” he said.

“The holes I have now, which are between 152 and 182, that’s where those kids are going to be as seniors.”

He is pleased with the young newcomers’ work ethic.

“What I like the most is they just come in every day and just work really hard. They push each other,” Raymond said.

Overall, the coach said he likes what he sees.

“We’re feeling good. Dual meets we’re going to have a little rough time again. Although we have 20 kids almost, we can only fill a certain number of weight classes,” Raymond said. “But I’m liking where things are headed. We’ve had a positive outlook so far.”

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Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014 — PAGE 5C

MIDDLEBURY

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

Youth movement for MUHS gymnastics

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — There was plenty of good news for the Middlebury Union gymnastics team this preseason.

To start with, former coach Meg Harris’s job situation changed to allow her to return to co-coach the team with Terri Phelps, who took over in her absence, and both are happy to be able to team up to teach the athletes.

“Terri and I are excited to be cocoaching this year,” Harris said.

The team also returns two senior captains who should provide both points and leadership, Emma SnyderWhite and Hannah Stoll, and three sophomores, Leah Raymond, Mikayla Robinson and Isabella Williams, who the coaches expect to become regular point-scorers.

And the team welcomes a clublevel sophomore gymnast, Ida Mae Danforth, and seven freshmen, at least two of whom, Aly Chione and Chloe Kane, the coaches believe are capable of stepping right up and scoring points.

Only Stoll and Snyder-White are not either sophomores or freshmen on the regular 14-strong roster of a team that has been consistently competitive with its peers among other schools out of the Chittenden County club loop.

“We have a pretty young team, so it will be a growth year, but I think it will be a really exciting growth year,” Harris said. “There’s some new talent with Ida coming in and some of our

freshmen, too, that we’re looking forward to working with.”

Four MUHS boys are also practicing with the team and can participate in most meets in a non-scoring capacity, senior Michael Gyukeri, sophomores Ian-Tor Bright and George McKeever-Parkes, and freshman Nick Scott. Three Mount Abraham freshmen, Abby Perlee, Casey Sherwin and Isabel Lucarelli, are also practicing with the Tigers as independents. Harris said because the team is large enough to compete without them they were not allowed to officially join on a member-to-member basis.

The Tigers should cover all the disciplines well, thus helping them compete in dual meets this winter. SnyderWhite will specialize on the beam and in the floor exercises; Stoll, on the vault, parallel bars and floor; Danforth, on the vault and beam; Raymond, in the all-around; Williams, on the beam, bars and floor; Chione, on the bars; and Kane, on the vault. Robinson was dealing with an injury in preseason, but the coaches hope she can recover and help on the beam.

Harris and Phelps are excited about the future, however.

“We have good numbers this year, and we also have good numbers on the middle school team this year, so we have a good feeder program right now,” Harris said. “You can see that by the number of freshmen we have coming in.”

Middlebury Union High School Gymnastics Team Coaches: Terri Phelps & Meg Harris Name Grade Michael Gyukeri Emma Snyder-White Hannah Stoll Ian-Tor Bright Ida Mae Danforth George McKeever-Parkes

12 12 12 10 10 10

Leah Raymond Isabella Williams Olivia Beauchamp Anna Buteau Aly Chione Chloe Kane Mary Lynch Nick Scott Laura Whitley

10 10 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

Good Luck, Tigers!

Middlebury Union High School Varsity Gymnastics 1/21 @ Milton 6:30 p.m.

Date Opponent/Event Time 1/30 @ Essex 7 p.m.

12/13 So. Burlington Invitational Noon 2/7 @ U-32 1 p.m.

12/17 @ Randolph 6 p.m.

2/11 Harwood 6 p.m.

12/23 CVU 6 p.m.

2/21 State Champs. @ Essex 2 p.m.

12/30 So. Burlington 6 p.m.

1/10 St. Johnsbury 1 p.m.

Young Tiger girls eye taking step forward

Middlebury Union High School Girls’ Basketball Team Coach: Jen Heath Assistant Coach: Laura Emilo Name Grade Lejla Mahmuljin 12 Krisandra Provencher 12 Hannah Buttolph 11 Jesse Trudeau 11 Payton Buxton 10 Riley Fenster 10 Ally Larocque 10 Lilia Smith 10 Keegan Dunbar 9

Date Opponent/Event 12/12 Burr & Burton 12/16 @ Winooski 12/23 @ Mill River 1/2 @ So. Burlington 1/5 Missisquoi

Middlebury Union High SchoolGirls’ Varsity Basketball 1/7 @ Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

1/30 Time 1/10 Colchester 12:30 p.m.

2/2 7 p.m.

1/12 @ Milton 7 p.m.

2/5 7 p.m.

1/19 @ Mt. Mansfield 7:30 p.m.

2/7 7:30 p.m.

1/21 Vergennes 7 p.m.

2/10 6 p.m.

1/24 So. Burlington 12:30 p.m.

2/13 7 p.m.

1/27 @ Missisquoi 7:30 p.m.

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By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — In seeking to get the Middlebury Union girls’ basketball program back on the upswing after a few down years, second-year coach Jen Heath is looking to something of a youth movement: Four of her nine varsity players are sophomores, and a fifth is a freshman.

All nine are going to see action this winter, Heath said, and the team’s four newcomers may earn more time as the season progresses.

“I’m expecting to play everyone,” she said. “As time goes on and some of the newer players get used to the varsity game and what we’re trying to do, I think their minutes will increase.”

At least to begin with, however, Heath plans to start her five returning veterans: senior forward Lejla Mahmuljin, senior forward/guard Krisandra Provencher, and three sophomores, guards Payton Buxton and Riley Fenster and guard/forward Ally Larocque.

The newcomers are junior forwards Hannah Buttolph and Jesse Trudeau, sophomore guard Lily Smith, and freshman guard Keagan Dunbar.

Heath will look for her veterans to set the tone.

“We’re very young overall,” Heath said. “We’ll get leadership from KP (Provencher) and Lejla, who have been on varsity for a while and obviously saw a lot of playing time last year.”

The Tigers played better down the stretch last year despite winning

just once, and Heath said they have “picked up where we left off” from this past winter.

“That’s a good starting point for us. We still have further to go, but that gives us a good base to start from,” she said.

The team has quickness, and they will look to run, but Heath said the Tigers still must gain experience, such as in making decisions on when to push transition and when to pull up, and even in more basic areas.

“Offensively (we need to) find that fine line of when to shoot and when to drive, how everything fits together,” she said.

Defensively, Heath believes the Tigers are athletic enough to thrive, but also need more seasoning there.

She spoke about some issues that cropped up in their opening game.

“We saw a lot of things we need to work on, our defense, and knowing what we have to do every defensive possession,” Heath said. “One of the big things we need to focus on in defense is communication.”

Overall, she is encouraged the Tigers will meet their central goal.

“We’re trying to get better every game,” Heath said. “What we’ll continue to talk about is tweaking little things that will make a big difference. The great thing is that as we talk about those things, they recognize that. So that’s the first step in getting better, them recognizing it. Now it’s them going out and doing those things, working on them in practice and doing them in games.”

PAGE 6C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014

MIDDLEBURY

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

Nordic teams boast strong returners, newcomers

By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — When Matt Trueheart moved on after coaching the Middlebury Union Nordic team for a couple winters, MUHS Activities Director Sean Farrell knew whom to call — Chas Lyons, who between Tiger Nordic, cross-country and track teams has logged about two-dozen seasons coaching MUHS sports.

“It’s getting up there,” Lyons said, joking he’s at the “top of Sean Farrell’s list.”

Lyons said Farrell asked him if he would be interested when Trueheart stepped down, and Lyons said he “could be talked into it.”

Then Farrell got some persuasive help.

“I didn’t actually agree to it until some parents started calling me,” Lyons said.

Lyons inherits a team that returns seven boys who competed at the state meet as the Tigers finished fifth in Division II last winter, plus four girls who competed from a fourthplace group.

And, Lyons said, the boys received significant reinforcements with the arrival of sophomore Nick Wilkerson and freshman Sam Hodges.

“They’ve been participating with the Frost Mountain Club Nordic program and are very strong competitors, and I think they are going to be the top two performers on our team this year,” Lyons said. “Not to take anything away from the athletes we have returning, but these kids have chosen to have private coaching with a club and are targeting national-level events.”

Lyons said senior Bo Tran and junior Haven Tate have also gained Frost Mountain experience, and are “coming in stronger than they were last year,” while senior Bob Avery, also a top-four finisher in both classic and freestyle events at last winter’s state meet, is “right on the heels of those guys there, so we’re going to have a strong front group of guys.”

Added to that crew are four more 2014 state meet competitors, junior David Dregallo and sophomores Harlow Punderson, Ross Crowne and Henry Ganey, plus another experienced newcomer, freshman Julian Schmitt.

The girls’ side probably doesn’t have the same depth, Lyons said.

“On the ladies’ end, we have a younger, less experienced squad,” Lyons said.

But the team’s top two skiers from a year ago, seniors Emily Kiernan and Julia Rosenberg, both return.

“Emily Kiernan and Julia Rosenberg are probably going to be the leaders on that team, both as senior members of the team and the best athletes on the team,” Lyons said.

He also believes senior veteran Michelle Peterson, a state meet competitor last winter, is ready to emerge as a scorer.

“The work she has put in is going to pay off this year, he said.

Junior Signi Livingstone-Peters also competed at the 2014 state meet, and Lyons expects a number of young skiers to contribute, including sophomore Amelia Ingersoll

Middlebury Union High School Nordic Ski Team Coach: Chas Lyons Name Grade Robert Avery 12 Emily Kiernan 12 Michelle Peterson 12 Julia Rosenberg 12

Bo Tran David Dregallo Matthew Ferguson Gretta Groves Nora Keathley Signi Livingstone-Peters

and freshmen Ella Nagy-Benson and Isabel Rosenberg.

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Regardless of the results, Lyons expects an enjoyable time with what a calls “a great group.”

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Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014 — PAGE 7C

MOUNT ABRAHAM UNION HIGH SCHOOL

Defense, hard work key for boys Eagle girls get new look, seek three-peat

By ANDY KIRKALDY BRISTOL — One thing is certain for Coach Connie LaRose’s Mount Abraham girls’ basketball program: Four starters from the team that dominated Division II for the past two years have graduated.

The Eagles have a different look this winter after steamrolling to consecutive D-II titles.

“We’re going to be a team with a whole new identity,” LaRose said in a preseason interview. “We’re probably not going to have that kind of success, but the jury is out on how far we can go. We do have some strengths.”

One of them is size. Six-foot senior center Isabel Brennan returns, and Brennan has often played her best in big games. Senior Jen Gordon, another six-footer, contributed vital moments off the bench last winter, and LaRose said freshman Emma Carter could play a key role inside this winter, with senior Angela Dupoise and junior Dani Forand rounding out the frontcourt rotation.

“Certainly, our height in the post,” was LaRose’s first response to a question about the team’s pluses.

There will be competition for minutes in the backcourt among three

seniors, Ashley Boise, Steph White and Keegan Jackman; two juniors, Jesse McKean and Stacie Sabourin; and freshman Emma LaRose.

Coach LaRose said she would make her decisions on playing time based on which guards best “take care of the ball” and “get the ball into the post,” as well as find their shooting range.

And, she said, defending will be critical as the Eagles attempt to learn to compensate for some inexperience by making life difficult for their opponents.

“Defensively, we’ve got a lot of work to do,” she said.

Mount Abraham Union High School Girls’ Basketball Team Coach: Connie LaRose Name Grade Isabel Brennan 12 Ashley Boise 12 Angela Dupoise 12 Jen Gordon 12 Keegan Jackman 12 Steph White 12 Dani Forand 11 Jesse McKean 11 Stacie Sabourin 11 Emma Carter 9 Emma LaRose 9

LaRose believes the Eagles will gradually gel as the season progresses and then “at least have a shot at some things.”

“My goal is to see if we can win 50 percent of our games and then see how we develop,” she said. “I think that’s realistic.”

Mount Abraham Union High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball Date Opponent/Event Time 12/12 CVU 7 p.m.

12/16 Mt. Mansfield 7 p.m.

12/19 @ Mill River 7:30 p.m.

12/23 @ Fair Haven Tournament TBA 12/26 @ Fair Haven Tournament TBA 12/30 South Burlington 6:30 p.m.

1/2 Vergennes 7 p.m.

1/5 @ Colchester 7 p.m.

1/7 Middlebury 7 p.m.

1/10 @ CVU 12:30 p.m.

1/19 Missisquoi 7 p.m.

1/21 @ Milton 7 p.m.

1/23 @ Vergennes 5:30 p.m.

1/27 Colchester 7 p.m.

1/30 @ Middlebury 7 p.m.

2/2 @ Mt. Mansfield 7 p.m.

2/5 @ South Burlington 7:30 p.m.

2/10 @ Missisquoi 7:30 p.m.

2/13 Milton 7 p.m.

By ANDY KIRKALDY BRISTOL — The past three years haven’t been the kindest to the Mount Abraham boys’ basketball team, with the Eagles’ four wins in 2014 equaling the program’s combined victory total from 2012 and 2013.

But Coach Mike Estey believes there is light at the end of the tunnel, and not just from the talented sophomore and freshman classes that are just now beginning to filter up to the varsity program.

“I like the team. We’re excited again,” Estey said.

He said the team’s four seniors — Ty Combs, Tyrus Keith, Joey Payea and Tyler Willey — have helped set the right tone.

“The seniors have come in working hard,” Estey said.

In a preseason scrimmage vs. Colchester as well as in the Eagle gym, Estey said he has seen an encouraging commitment on the defensive end.

“In the past we’ve had kids who could defend, but we didn’t defend well as a team. And we saw good signs of that against Colchester, and practices are more competitive,” he said.

The Eagles will still lack for experience, as only a couple of the seniors, Keith and Payea, saw significant minutes for the Eagles a year ago, and the team is blessed with quickness, but not size.

“We’re young, and it’s going to

show some nights,” Estey said, adding, “We’re going to get banged around a little bit.”

Mount Abe will rely on Payea and Willey in the backcourt, with sophomore swingman Jack Willis seeing plenty of time. Junior Kyle Barrows, sophomore Payton Keith and freshman swingman Jackson Counter will also look for backcourt minutes.

Keith will start in the middle, and Estey is looking for good results there.

“We hope for some real good stuff from him, because he’s put in the work,” he said.

Sophomore Colman Russell will step in for Combs at forward while Combs works his way back from a football injury, and sophomores Ryan Thompson, at forward, and Finn Clements, the team’s tallest player, at center or forward, will see time, Estey Mount Abraham Union High School Boys’ Basketball Team Coaches: Mike Estey and Chad Estey Name Grade Ty Combs 12 Tyrus Keith 12 Joey Payea 12 Tyler Willey 12 Kyle Barrows 11 Finn Clements 10 Payton Keith 10 Colman Russell 10 Ryan Thompson 10 Jack Willis 10 Jackson Counter 9

said.

Estey will run deep into his bench to allow the Eagles to play up-tempo on offense and to allow his younger players to develop at the varsity level.

“The plan is to play kids, make sure that younger group gets plenty of time,” Estey said. “We’ll benefit from it down the road.”

In all, Estey said he was optimistic “about the way they come in here and work” and hopeful the Eagles will take a step in the right direction this winter.

“This program right now has nowhere to go but up,” he said. “We’re trying a lot of stuff, and they work hard.”

Mount Abraham Union High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball Date Opponent/Event Time 12/9 Randolph 7 p.m.

12/17 Mill River 7 p.m.

12/20 Winooski 12:30 p.m.

12/23 @ Randolph 7:30 p.m.

12/27 @ BFA-Fairfax 2:30 p.m.

12/30 @ Winooski 7 p.m.

1/3 Otter Valley 12:30 p.m.

1/7 @ Mill River 7:30 p.m.

1/16 @ Otter Valley 7:30 p.m.

1/20 Vergennes 7 p.m.

1/23 @ Missisquoi 7:30 p.m.

1/28 @ Milton 7 p.m.

1/30 @ Vergennes 7 p.m.

2/3 BFA-St. Albans 7 p.m.

2/6 Middlebury 7 p.m.

2/9 Milton 7 p.m.

2/17 @ Middlebury 7 p.m.

2/20 @ BFA-St. Albans 7 p.m.

PAGE 8C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014

MOUNT ABRAHAM UNION HIGH SCHOOL

Small wrestling team eyes podium

Mount Abraham Union High School Cheerleading Squad Coach: Cricket Gearwar Name Grade Jordan Cota 11 Danielle Morse 11

Layla Paine Mercedez Shackett Samantha Cox Calista Sargent

11 11 10 10

Hannah Gratton

9

Have A Great Season

By ANDY KIRKALDY to win somewhere in the range of BRISTOL — The Mount Abra- half of his matches. ham wrestling team will once again “He did fairly well as a freshman have small numbers, but Coach Pete last year, so we should see some imLossman is at least cautiously opti- provement this year. He seems to be mistic a couple of his wrestlers can very focused,” Lossman said. reach the podium at the state tournaTwo freshmen signed on. One is a ment this winter while several can newcomer to the sport, Christian Litachieve respectable records. tle, who weighs in at the 126 range Lossman is perhaps and Lossman said will most hopeful for secompete in dual meets nior Josh Roy, who will “Josh Roy and then at the JV state probably wrestle at 126 should be meet. pounds.

The other is Nick “Josh Roy should be somewhere George, a former junior somewhere above .500,” above .500. I high state champion who Lossman said, adding would expect should end up at 160 and that although Roy’s prehimself well right to see him on acquit season work was limited, away, the coach said.

“I would expect to see the podium.”

Depending on his var— Coach Pete sity record, which Losshim on the podium.”

Lossman man said would hinge Senior captain Josh Russin will probably on how well George wrestle at the next weight continues to add skills class up, at 132, and Lossman ex- to his strength, he could end up as pects another solid campaign from a JV contender or as a varsity state his team leader. competitor.

“Based on last year, he should “He’s going to do fairly well,” have a .500 year,” he said.

Lossman said. “At the varsity level Junior Josh Johnson also returns as a freshman I expect he’ll be pushafter posting some competitive re- ing .500.” sults this past winter at 152 pounds.

Lossman does not have an easy “He has the potential to do good answer for the persistently low numthings. I would expect to see him bers in the Eagle program. There are above the .500 mark at the end of the another half-dozen or more on the year and perhaps making a run for middle school team, but strong numthe podium,” Lossman said. bers at the elementary level that just Sophomore Dylan Little did not have not translated to varsity. win as often as his teammates last “I don’t know what it is,” he said. winter, but reached the state podium “Every school seems to have the in a weight class with fewer compet- same problem we have. They have itors. This season, at 152, Lossman good numbers right up until sixth, expects Little to take a step forward seventh grade, then they fall off.”

Regardless, he expects his wrestlers will enjoy the winter.

“We’ve had times when our closest kids were 30, 40 pounds apart, and one of them isn’t having a good time,” Lossman said. “This year all our wrestlers are pretty close, and we can switch it up and keep it fun and fresh.”

Mount Abraham Union High School Wrestling Team Coaches: Peter Lossman Name Grade Josh Roy 12 Josh Russin 12 Josh Johnson 11 Dylan Little 10 Nick George 9 Christian Little 9

Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Wrestling Date Opponent/Event Time 12/9 @ Essex 6 p.m.

12/17 @ St. Johnsbury 6 p.m.

12/30 @ Middlebury TBA 1/3 @ Otter Valley Invitational 10 a.m.

1/6 Middlebury, Vergennes 7 p.m.

1/12 @ Mt. Mansfield 5 p.m.

1/15 @ Essex Classic TBA 1/16 @ Essex Classic TBA 1/24 @ Vergennes Invitational 10 a.m.

1/27 @ Randolph 6 p.m.

2/5 CVU, St. Johnsbury 6:30 p.m.

2/7 @ Mt. Mansfield Invitat. 10 a.m.

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2/14 NVAC Tourn. @ CVU 10 a.m.

2/27 States @ Middlebury TBA 2/28 States @ Middlebury TBA

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Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014 — PAGE 9C

VERGENNES

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

VUHS girls’ basketball looks to be aggressive

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — Coming off a seven-win season and having seen just two seniors graduate, Vergennes girls’ basketball coach Billy Waller is hopeful of at least a modest step forward this winter.

This year’s team has depth and a variety of skills, Waller said.

“There are a number of girls that could find themselves in the mix,” he said in preseason. “Our practices are very spirited and very competitive.”

Waller will stick with a threeguard, two-forward offense with an emphasis on attacking the basket, and vary his approach on “We’re defense depending which really players are on putting a the floor and focus on what the game getting circumstances are. it inside, “We’re really whether putting a focus it’s passing on getting it init in there side, whether or driving. it’s passing it there or drivDefensively in ing,” he said. we’re going “ D e f e n s i v e l y we’re going to to play play a mix of a mix of stuff.” stuff.”

At guard, — coach senior veteran Billy Waller K.C. Ambrose will start, with juniors Sarah Poirier-Thayer and Brianna Gebo and sophomores Shay Pouliot and Caroline Johnston vying for the other two starting spots.

All five will see plenty of playing time, and Waller said senior April Ambrose could bring a shooting touch off the bench, too.

Competition for time for the two frontcourt positions will be tougher, with six athletes looking for min-

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utes. Waller plans to start junior veterans Nikki Salley and Tamara Aunchman, with senior Paige Coyle and junior Natalie Salley probably the first two off the bench.

Waller said junior Sara Stearns was also coming on strong in the preseason, while senior Jane Russell, the team’s tallest player, was also showing flashes.

“It’s as balanced and as quality a bench as I’ve had in some time,” Waller said.

He believes the extra practices this season’s schedule has allowed

teams has also benefitted the Commodores.

“We’ve got more stuff in than we usually do at this time of the year,” Waller said. “The kids are smart.”

In all, Waller said the Commodores might still “struggle with the South Burlingtons of the world,” because of their greater experience, but believes they could otherwise hold their own.

“I think we will be competitive,” he said. “We’ll be much better after Christmas than before. I think we’re much closer.”

Vergennes Union High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball Date Opponent/Event 12/9 @Montpelier 12/12 Mill River 12/19 @ Missisquoi 12/23 @ Winooski 12/27 Harwood 1/2 @ Mt. Abraham 1/5 Milton 1/7 @ Colchester 1/10 @ Harwood 1/16 Mt. Mansfield

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Vergennes Union High School Girls’ Basketball Team Coach: Billy Waller Name Grade K.C. Ambrose 12 April Ambrose 12 Paige Coyle 12 Jane Russell 12 Tamara Aunchman 11 Brianna Gebo 11 Sara Poirier-Thayer 11 Natalie Salley 11 Nikki Salley 11 Sara Stearns 11 Caroline Johnston 10 Shay Pouliot 10

PAGE 10C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014

VERGENNES

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

VUHS wrestling team plans on the podium

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — Vergennes Union wrestling coach Nate Kittredge did not have a huge turnout this winter, but the return of a couple of former wrestlers to his program added to several established athletes could lead to positive results.

“I don’t have a lot of numbers,” Kittredge said, “but the positive in that is that the kids on the list have all for the most part proven themselves.”

To start with, the Commodores bring back five wrestlers, all sophomores and juniors, who reached the state podium this past winter: • Sophomore Kyle Kingsley, who was fourth at 106 pounds and will wrestle at 113 this winter.

• Junior Ethan Reardon, who was fourth at 113 and is part of a logjam in the 126-132 range this season.

• Sophomore Trevon Smith, who was fourth at 126 and could end up at 132.

• Sophomore Brandon Cousino, fifth at 152 after entering as the top seed, who will bump up to 170.

• Junior Ryan Paquin, fifth in the

highly competitive 182-pound weight class, where he will remain.

Also back from a year ago for the Commodores are junior Jeb Hodsden, who will move up from 138 to 145, and sophomore Troy Provencher, part of the 132-pound group.

They are joined by two seniors who excelled as freshmen but have not wrestled since then, Anthony Smith, who was third at 126 pounds at the state meet, and Luke Stinchfield, who will wrestle at 138 this winter.

Kittredge would have liked them for four years, but is happy to see them return.

“Luke can place this year in the state tournament even taking two years off,” Kittredge. “And Anthony Smith, he’s the one who took third as a freshman. His potential is there, too.”

Also new is freshman Natalie Huestis, who Kittredge said will spot in at 182 pounds.

Of the others, he said to keep an eye on Paquin, who had many competitive matches with the top 182-pounders last winter, and Cousino, who was

probably better than his tournament finish.

“Ryan was always in it, and he

Vergennes Union High School Cheerleading Squad Coach: Jenny Johnson Name Grade Ericka Delisle 12 Kelsey Coleman 11 Kira Johnson 11 Emily Lalumiere 11 Megan Martin 11 Arianne Wilson 11 Madison Ask 10 Taylor Bresnick 10 Emma Duprey 10 River Hoffmann 10 Courtney Morgan 10 Sadie Newman 10 Mckenzie Warden 10 Peighton Duprey 9

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still is,” Kittredge said, adding of Cousino, “He should be right there at the top. He can do it. And he hasn’t

stopped training.”

Kittredge in the preseason was waiting to see how the 126- and 132-pound situation would sort itself out, but also harboring what he said were realistic expectations of again seeing a number of Commodores on

the state podium.

“If I can place seven kids in the top four in the state, at least top six, we’ll be doing decent,” Kittredge said.

“I’m going to do the best I can to give those kids the best chance they’ve got. They can do it.”

Vergennes Union High School Wrestling Team Coaches: Nate Kittredge, Jeb Hodsden Scott Bissonette Brandon Cousino Name Grade Kyle Kingsley Anthony Smith 12 Troy Provencher Luke Stinchfield 12 Trevon Smith Ryan Paquin 11 Natalie Huestis Ethan Reardon 11

11 10 10 10 10 9

Vergennes Union High School Boys’ Varsity Wrestling Date Opponent/Event Time 12/11 Host Spaulding, St. Johnsbury 6 p.m.

12/18 @ Mt. Mansfield 6 p.m.

12/20 Granville Tournament 10 a.m.

12/30 Middlebury Invitational 9:30 a.m.

1/3 Keene Invitational 9 a.m.

1/6 @ Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

1/16 Essex Classic 3:30 p.m.

1/17 Essex Classic 10:30 a.m.

1/21 @ CVU 5:30 p.m.

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Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014 — PAGE 11C

VERGENNES

UNION

HIGH

SCHOOL

VUHS track team boasts a number of standouts

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — The Vergennes Union indoor track and field team consists of a small, dedicated group of nine athletes, many of whom scored podium finishes at the Division II championship meet this past February.

Co-coach Jeff Kauffman said he expects more success this winter.

“It will be another quality season for us,” Kauffman said.

Senior Chris Castillo led the way last win“It will be ter, winning the long jump at another the state meet quality and placing in the triple jump. season He will also run for us.” at 55 and 300 — Co-coach meters.

Jeff Kauffman “We’ll look for Chris to repeat again in the long and do well in the triple,” Kauffman said.

Also placing for the boys a year ago was senior Sebby Crowell, sixth in the 55. Kauffman looks for Crowell, senior Chris Leach and Castillo to fare well running, especially in the 300.

“We have some good 300 runners with Chris, Sebby and Leach.

They should place well,” he said.

Vergennes Union High School Varsity Indoor Track and Field Date Opponent/Event Time 12/13 @ UVM 10 a.m.

12/20 @ UVM 1 p.m.

1/3 @ UVM 1 p.m.

1/9 @ Dartmouth TBA 1/10 @ Dartmouth TBA 1/17 @ Norwich 8 a.m.

1/24 @ Norwich 8 a.m.

2/14 State Meet @ Norwich TBA

Good Luck, VUHS! Juniors Xavier Provencher and Quinn D’Andrea will meanwhile look to break through at 1,000 and 1,500 meters, respectively.

On the girls’ side, seniors Paige Stolen and Ally Stearns return after each posted fifth-place finishes at the state meet, Stolen at 600 meters and Stearns in the shot put.

Stolen prepped for the season by becoming the top local cross-country runner this past fall in her first season in that sport, and Kauffman

expects her to move up in her indoor specialty.

“We look for her to do even better this year in the 600,” he said.

Stearns has consistently scored points in her discipline in the past two seasons.

“Ally will be a top performer in the shot,” Kauffman said.

Rounding out the girls’ side are two sophomore runners, Alyse Beauchemin, who will run at 55 and 300 meters, and Sadie Kass,

who will focus on the 1,500.

Kauffman would like to see higher numbers, but noted many athletes graduated this past spring and the difficulty of persuading others to work out in hallways. He said also that many of his spring track athletes are playing indoor soccer, and he believes they will reinforce the team come April.

“I expect our numbers will be back up for outdoor,” he said.

In the meantime, Kauffman and

co-coach Brad Castillo are looking forward to their last indoor season with the five seniors on this year’s team. That group has been with the indoor program since its founding, Kauffman said.

“It will be the first crew that we’ve had for at least six years, starting to train in seventh grade,” he said. “We’ve brought them up all the way through, Brad and I, and we expect really good things from them.”

Vergennes Union High School Indoor Track Team Coaches: Jeff Kauffman and Brad Castillo Name Grade Paige Stolen 12 Christopher Leach 12 Evan Myers 12 Christopher Castillo 12 Sebastien Crowell 12 Allyson Stearns 12 Xavier Provencher 11 Quinlan D’Andrea 11 Sadie Kass 10 Alyse Beauchemin 10 Ashley De Smit 9

VUHS boys’ basketball plans return to The Aud

By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — With a number of veterans returning from last winter’s nine-win squad and what he senses as a strong team-wide commitment, Vergennes boys’ basketball coach Peter Quinn is expecting a step forward this season.

“We’ve got guys invested,” Quinn said. “We’ve got better basketball players this year.”

Key returning starters are senior center Wesley Miedema, who might have added an inch or two to his sixfoot-seven of the past season, and senior point guard Liam Hayes, who was still trying to shake off a balky back but was making progress in the preseason.

Quinn expects Miedema to anchor the defense and what should be a team strength, rebounding.

“We’re going to stick Wesley in the middle,” he said. “He’s a bucket denier in the paint.”

The rest of the Commodores are quick — or big — enough to allow Quinn to deploy an aggressive manto-man look on defense.

“We’re going to play man. My guys are pretty agile,” he said.

Miedema is not the only forward with size: Juniors Josh Dam, Josh Lorraine and Tyler Kepes are all at least 6-2, and Quinn expects the offense to be oriented toward the paint

as well. Also set to compete for frontcourt minutes are senior Zach Gebo and juniors Bradley Sturtevant, Silas Mullin, Josh Newton, Levi Baldwin and Brett Woods.

“The word for us this year is size,” Quinn said. “This is by far the biggest team Vergennes has ever had.”

In the backcourt, Hayes, senior

swingman Dylan Raymond and junior guard Aaron Gaines will probably all start, assuming Hayes is healthy. Junior Bassim Bunde and the team’s only sophomore, Adam Gill, will also see minutes at guard.

Quinn does expect that group to be productive.

“We have good ballhandlers,” he

said. “We really need to look in, but we have balance, though. We have outside shooters.”

Considering everything, Quinn would like to see the Commodores return to the Division II final four after an absence of a year.

“We want to go to Barre,” he said.

“Our goal is to get to Barre this year.”

Vergennes Union High School Boys’ Basketball Team Coach: Peter Quinn Name Grade Zach Gebo 12 Liam Hayes 12 Wesley Miedema 12 Dylan Raymond 12 Levi Baldwin 11 Bassim Bunde 11 Josh Dam 11 Aaron Gaines 11 Tyler Kepes 11 Josh Lorraine 11 Silas Mullin 11 Josh Newton 11 Bradley Sturtevant 11 Brett Woods 11 Adam Gill 10

Vergennes Union High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball Date Opponent/Event Time 12/6 @ Montpelier 1:30 p.m.

12/9 @ BFA-Fairfax 7:30 p.m.

12/13 Peoples Academy 11:30 a.m.

12/15 South Burlington 7 p.m.

12/17 Montpelier 7 p.m.

12/23 BFA-Fairfax 7 p.m.

12/27 Harwood 4:30 p.m.

12/30 Fair Haven 7 p.m.

1/3 Burr & Burton 11:30 a.m.

1/6 @ Fair Haven 7:30 p.m.

1/20 @ Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

1/22 Milton 7 p.m.

1/27 BFA-St. Albans 7 p.m.

1/30 Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

2/3 @ Middlebury 7 p.m.

2/6 Missisquoi 7 p.m.

2/9 @ Milton 7 p.m.

2/12 @ BFA-St. Albans 7:30 p.m.

2/17 @ Missisquoi 7:30 p.m.

2/19 Middlebury 7 p.m.

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PAGE 12C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014

OTTER VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL Good conditioning bodes well for Nordic

By JOHN S. McCRIGHT drew Jerome and Isaac Roberts will BRANDON — Last winter the Ot- be joined by freshman Colby Reynter Valley Nordic skiing team gained olds. But, like the girls, as individusome valuable experience that it als they should see improvement this hopes to use to take a couple steps year, Coach Jerome said. forward this winter. Unfortunately, “Last year they got a lot of time on the team lost a couple of key skiers snow,” he said. “They learned to ski who showed promise last year but better and this year they’re faster.” moved on: Ben Jerome went to a ski They’ve also got some conditionschool and Maria Wiles ing in. There was roller is skiing on the Middleskiing, running and bury Union team. strength training in the “They were Coach Brian Jerome all young fall, Jerome said, and Cistill sees the team taking jka ran cross country. In last year, a step forward this year. addition, unlike in some “They were all young we’re all years, the skiers had last year, we’re all soph- sophomores already got onto snow omores and juniors this before the first meet of and juniors year,” he said. “They’ve the season, which was all really improved a lot.” this year. scheduled for Dec. 13 at Part of the improve- They’ve the Mountain Top Inn in ment is due to experi- all really Chittenden. ence. Sophie Wood led Jerome acknowledges OV in the state freestyle improved a that Otter Valley is in a race last year as a fresh- lot.” tough league and he’s man; she finished just — Coach realistic about how his a few places a head of Brian Jerome small squad can compete. then-sophomores Jonna “I’d like to see these Keith and Emma Cijka, kids finishing in the midwho also return this year. Sopho- dle of the pack,” he said. more Bridgid Enright also returns, But beyond their place in the fiplus the girls’ team boasts a fresh- nal standings, he’s happy to see the man — Brittany Danforth. Coach great attitudes of all the kids. He said Jerome is excited to see a girls’ relay they are all very musical, take part in team this season. school plays and regularly make the “I’m really looking forward to honor rolls. seeing how these girls compete and “Skiing is one of many priorities improve,” Jerome said. “They’re all for these kids,” Jerome said. Neveron the same page.” theless, he is happy to get them goThe Otter boys’ team will not have ing in an activity that he hopes they the required four racers to make up will continue long after high school. a relay team; veteran seniors An“It’s a lifelong sport,” he said.

Otter Valley Union High School Varsity Nordic Skiing Otter Valley Union High School Nordic Skiing Team Coach: Brian Jerome Name Grade Andrew Jerome 12 Isaac Roberts 12 Emma Cijka 11

Jonna Keith Bridgid Enright Sophie Wood Colby Reynolds Brittany Danforth

Date Opponent/Event 12/23 @ Mt. Anthony 1/2 @ Burr and Burton 1/6 Host (at Mt. Top) 1/9 @ Woodstock 1/23 @ Burr and Burton 1/28 @ Brattleboro

11 10 10 9 9

Time 2:30 p.m.

11 a.m.

2:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

2/5 2/11 2/18 2/26

3/3

@ Rutland 3 p.m. @ Mt. Anthony 3 p.m. @ Brattleboro 11 a.m.

Free Statte meet States @ U-32 10:30 a.m.

Classic States @ Woodstock 10:30 a.m.

Small number of wrestlers have big hopes

Otter Valley Union High School Wrestling Team Coach: Steve Mitchell Name Grade Eric Manning 12 Nathan Doty 11 Jared Felkl 11 Tyson Cram 10 Dane Bartshe 9

By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — You know that feeling when you’ve prepared for something with a set of expectations, only to have them change at the last minute? Welcome to the world of Otter Valley varsity wrestling Coach Steve Mitchell. Now in his third year at the helm of the program, Mitchell finds himself in rebuilding mode yet again, after five seasoned wrestlers who also played football decided not to wrestle this season.

“We’re all puzzled,” Mitchell said.

“They said they weren’t having fun anymore. We had really high expectations, and now we’re just picking up the pieces. It’s a tough one to swallow.”

The squad that remains consisted, as of last week, of five grapplers, including four returners, sophomore Tyson Cram at 132 pounds, junior Jared Felkl at 170 pounds, junior Nate Doty at 220 and senior Eric Manning at 113. The fifth member of the team is freshman Dane Bartsch.

Those four veterans do bring with them some experience at the state meeting this past winter. As a freshman, Cram led the Otters in Bennington with a fourth-place finish at 120 pounds. Doty and Manning, too, saw the podium; Doty was sixth at 195 and manning was sixth at 113 (Mitchell noted that Doty and Manning placed despite not being seeded). Felkl didn’t win either of his matches at the state meet, but he got valuable experience in the tough 132-pound class.

Despite the low numbers, Mitch-

Coach: Sara Donnelly Name Grade Marissa Colburn 12 Jenna Elliott 12 Kika Johnson 12

ell said he is still excited about the season and the potential his wrestlers have to succeed.

“We feel really good about the foundation we’ve laid, and we have a lot of momentum,” Mitchell said.

In 2010, there were six boys on the OV wrestling team. In 2011, that number dropped to three, and there was concern that the program would not survive.

But as Mitchell began in the 2012 season, a healthy group of 10 varsity and seven JV wrestlers made up the team, and that trend continued last year with 13 wrestlers, plus two eighth-graders and three seventhgraders. Both Mitchell and OV Athletic Director Steve Keith said the steady numbers were a result of a robust youth wrestling program that feeds the middle school and high school teams. They were hoping that the steady turnout of wrestlers would ensure the health and expansion of the program.

But it’s back to square one and rebuilding mode for Mitchell.

“We are unexpectedly rebuilding,” he said. “We have a good class of eighth-graders coming up. I’m excited about them.”

And the boys that showed up this season will benefit from some of the best coaching the school has ever offered, Mitchell said. In addition to himself and OV alum and champion wrestler Jesse Bilodeau, Mitchell has also added Cole Mason. New to the area and a teacher at Rochester High School, Mason wrestled for Cornell College in Iowa, where he coached

as well.

“We’re really fortunate to have him on board,” Mitchell said.

As for the football players who chose not to wrestle this year, Mitchell said as the coach, he naturally looked inward for an explanation.

“My first thinking is to blame myself,” he said. “But I’ve been asking around and have been getting a lot of positive feedback. The school is behind us. I’m not bigger than the program. I love it, but I don’t want to get in the way of anything.

“I guess we just have to figure out how to make it more fun,” the coach said.

Otter Valley Union High School Varsity Wrestling Date Opponent/Event Time 12/17 @ Burr & Burton, MVL Duals 6 p.m.

12/20 @ Granville TBA 12/27 @ Slater Duals TBA 12/30 Middlebury Tournament TBA 1/3 Otter Valley Tournament TBA 1/7 @ Fair Haven, MVL Duals 6 p.m.

1/10 Mt. Anthony TBA 1/13 Otter Valley, MVL Duals 6 p.m.

1/16 Essex Classic TBA 1/17 Essex Classic TBA 1/24 @ Vergennes (Colch. Tourn.) TBA 1/31 @ Mt. Greylock TBA 2/7 @ Mt. Mansfield TBA 2/11 @ Mill River, MVL Duals 5:30 p.m.

2/14 @ Mt. Anthony Jamboree TBA 2/27 States @ Middlebury TBA 2/28 States @ Middlebury TBA 3/6 New Englands @

N. Andover, MA TBA

Otter Valley Union High School Cheerleading Squad Margaret Santell 12 Mariah Santell Callista Perry 11 Makayla Smart Alyssa Hutchins 10 Christina Wiles Nikkitta Powell 10 Houston Pratt 9

9 9 9

Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014 — PAGE 13C

OTTER VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL Big group of boys return to Otter hoop

By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — Strength and power, plus a little more versatility — those are the qualities that OV varsity boys’ basketball coach Greg Hughes hopes will put the team over the .500 mark this season.

Graduation was kind to the Otters, who did not lose any starters. Led this year by seniors John Winslow, Connor Gallipo, Derek Bas“It seems sette and Josef like we’re Scarborough, a very, Hughes is looking to improve very wellon last year’s rounded 9-10 record. team.”

There is also — coach a little more Greg Hughes size under the rim this season in the form of 6-foot, 2-inch junior Carson Leary and 6-foot, 1-inch junior Collin Eugair. And while that may not be tall by many school’s standards, it’s good size for OV. Hughes said that Leary and Eugair, along with junior Tyler Allen also possess great strength on both offense and defense.

Add sophomore standout guards Kai Norwood and Derek Aines, plus floaters Will Ross, Connor Mackey and MacGregor Shannon, and Hughes is optimistic.

“It seems like we’re a very, very well-rounded team,” he said.

As the season got under way, the Otter boys started out 1-1 after a tough season opening loss to Mill River, then a big win over Poultney.

Hughes said his team had some adjustments to make after that loss.

“We have to share the ball more, and that speaks to our youth on the team,” he said. “We have to work

the ball down low and get it to the post players. We’re open, but we tend not to see that.”

The coach said he is confident this team will hit its stride in the coming weeks and play some exciting basketball.

“They just have to get into a groove with each other,” Hughes said. “But I have good confidence in this team.”

Otter Valley Union High School Boys’ Varsity Basketball 1/24 Twin Valley Date Opponent/Event Time 1/27 @ Woodstock 12/16 Poultney 7 p.m.

1/30 @ Bellows Falls 12/22 West Rutland 7 p.m.

2/2 Proctor 12/30 @ Green Mountain 7 p.m.

2/5 Leland and Gray 1/3 @ Mt. Abraham 12:30 p.m.

2/11 Woodstock 1/6 @ Middlebury 7 p.m.

2/13 Arlington 1/9 @ Mill River 7 p.m.

2/16 Bellows Falls 1/16 Mt. Abraham 7 p.m.

2/20 @ Proctor 1/21 @ Leland and Gray 7 p.m.

2:30 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.

Otter Valley Union High School Boys’ Basketball Team Coach: Greg Hughes Name Grade Derek Bassette 12 Connor Gallipo 12 Josef Scarborough 12 Emmett Thurston 12 John Winslow 12 Tyler Allen 11 Collin Eugair 11 Carson Leary 11 MacGregor Shannon 11 Derek Aines 10 Conor Mackie 10 Kai Norwood 10 William Ross 10

OVUHS girls ready to take a step forward

By LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — The Otter Valley varsity girls’ basketball team may have lost some players to graduation, but the system is working, and Coach Steve Keith is pleased.

There are 10 girls on the varsity squad, and the future looks bright with 13 on the junior varsity team.

The Otters only have two seniors on the team this season, Laura Beth Roberts and Kylee Bissette, but experienced underclassman, including five juniors, give Keith a versatile team that he says can be competitive.

“We’re pretty happy, numberswise,” Keith said. “We have five returning players and five that are new to varsity.”

Juniors Amy Jones, Hannah Williams and Maia Edmunds round out the returning varsity players. Keith said in previous years his team has been guard-heavy, and with Jones and Bissette and sophomore Sophia Bloomer, the Otter girls are now more spread out around the key.

“We definitely have some post

Otter Valley Union High School Girls’ Basketball Team Laura Beth Roberts 12 Amy Jones Maia Edmunds 11 Isabelle Kingsley Lexi Hedding 11 Hannah Williams

Coach: Steve Keith Name Grade Kylee Bissette 12

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players who can score,” Keith said.

“We can play inside and outside basketball. We’re a little more balanced.”

One of this team’s greatest strengths is the players’ tenacity, the coach said.

“They’re tough under the basket,” Keith said. “They battle. That’s the biggest thing. They fight. We’re going to defend you and we’re going to score.”

Last season, the Otters won their last four games in the regular season to get into the playoffs then lost to Mount Abe in the first round of the playoffs and ended with a record of 9-10. This season, Keith said, he just wants his girls to feel like they’ve improved.

“I’d be happy with being better than when we started,” he said. “We try not to say we want to win 10 games or 20 games. If we can just get better and get to the playoffs, that’s what we’d like to do. They’re all really good athletes and really good kids.”

Otter Valley Union High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball 1/20 @ Mill River Date Opponent/Event Time 1/23 Windsor 12/15 Leland & Gray 7 p.m.

1/27 @ Hartford 12/17 Proctor 7 p.m.

1/31 @ Arlington 12/20 @ Burr & Burton 1:30 p.m.

2/2 @ Windsor 12/23 Hartford 7 p.m.

2/4 @ Brattleboro 12/30 @ Mt. Anthony 7 p.m.

2/6 Springfield 1/2 @ Leland and Gray 7 p.m.

2/9 @ Fair Haven 1/6 Rutland 7 p.m.

2/12 Mill River 1/8 Fair Haven 7 p.m.

1/16 @ Springfield 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

PAGE 14C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 18, 2014

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