Vermont State Meet

Champlain Valley Girls Win 11th Straight Division 1 Title

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Another year, another state title for the Champlain Valley girls cross country team. Saturday at the Vermont State High School Cross Country Championships at Thetford Academy, the Redhawks cruised to the program's 11th straight state title, winning the Division 1 crown with 21 points. Led by junior Alicia Veronneau's first-place finish in 19:33.9 on the 5,000-meter course, the team put five runners in the top seven.    

This year, though, the girls team had company. The Redhawk boys upended Essex to win the team title with 46 points. Paced by ninth grader Matthew Servin's fourth-place finish (17:15), Champlain Valley had all five scorers in the top 15. Essex senior Henry Farrington repeated as individual champion to win in 16:19.4, the fastest time of the day.

In Division 2 action, the U-32 boys scored an impressive 20 points to claim their fourth consecutive state title. Senior Waylon Kurts (16:50) won the individual race as U-32 placed five runners in the top seven, and all seven finished in the top 15.     

The Harwood Union girls defended their title D2 title as sophomore Ava Thurston recorded the fastest time of the day for any girl on the difficult course, winning in 19:19.9.

The Division 3 boys title came down to just one point on Saturday, as Peoples Academy edged out defending champion Thetford Academy, 43-44. Mill River Union junior Brogan Giffin won the race in 16:48.8.

The girls team champion is once again Bellows Falls Union with 31 points. Sophomore Abby Broadley successfully defended her title in 19:39.     

Next up for the Vermont runners that qualified is a trip to the New England Championships on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Wickham Park in Manchester, Ct.

Team Champions

D1: Champlain Valley boys 46 points, Champlain Valley girls 21 points - RESULTS

D2: U-32 boys 20 points, Harwood Union girls 40 points - RESULTS

D3: Peoples Academy boys 43 points, Bellows Falls Union 31 points - RESULTS