Vermont

17 outstanding Vermont high school girls athletes who left their mark in 2023-24

Published

1 year ago

July 9, 2024

17 outstanding Vermont high school girls athletes who left their mark in 2023-24

With our annual features on the Vermont high school athletes of the year posted, now it’s time to give proper credit to other outstanding performances and accomplishments from the 2023-24 year.

After a full year of watching games and combing through our Burlington Free Press All-State teams and coaches’ all-league and all-state teams, here are a batch of girls standouts — 17 in all — who also caught our attention in the fall, winter and spring months.

‘Built different’: North Country star repeats as Free Press girls athlete of the year

Our endeavor with this feature is to recognize athletes who shine in multiple sports throughout the school year.

Enjoy!

STANDOUT GIRLS OF 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR

Madison Barwood, Hartford High School

The junior made the BFP All-State second team at forward in field hockey, helping the Hurricanes roll to the Division II state title. She was also an BFP All-State honorable-mention selection at forward during the winter when Hartford claimed the program’s first hockey state championship. In the spring, Barwood surpassed 100 career goals in lacrosse and made the D-II coaches’ first team as a midfielder for a Hurricanes squad that went undefeated during the regular season.

Natalie Beauregard, U-32 High School

In the fall, the senior made second team for BFP All-State field hockey at forward. In the winter, Beauregard was a leading scorer for the Raiders’ basketball team. In the spring, she made D-II coaches’ first team on attack, keying U-32’s run to a second straight state title.

Elise Berger, Champlain Valley Union High School

The steady senior was instrumental in leading CVU girls basketball to the second of back-to-back D-I state titles. For her efforts, the 5-foot-11 point guard was named the Free Press’ Miss Basketball for the 2023-24 season. In the spring, Berger wrapped a two-year career playing varsity baseball at the Hinesburg powerhouse, earning All-Metro second-team honors as a pitcher. Berger will continue her baseball career at Bard College.

Sabrina Brunet, South Burlington High School

In field hockey, the senior switched from forward to midfield this past fall and guided the Wolves to their second D-I title in three seasons, to earn Free Press player of the year honors. In the winter, Brunet racked up 28 goals and 15 assists in hockey, to join the 100-point club, and help South Burlington advance to the D-I semifinals. She was named to the BFP All-State second team. In the spring, Brunet was a US Lacrosse Academic All-American and a D-I coaches’ first-team selection at midfield.

Brooke-Lynne Choiniere, St. Johnsbury Academy

The senior was an All-Metro first-team pick in soccer, mainly playing at center back before moving to central midfield later in the year. In the winter, Choiniere was a high-scoring forward for the Kingdom Blades who landed on the honorable-mention list for BFP All-State hockey. In the spring, Choiniere earned an outfield spot for All-Metro honorable mention.

Brooks DeShaw, Burlington High School

A determined forward with great skill, DeShaw scored 20 goals this fall to break Burlington soccer’s program record for career tallies with 58. The Middlebury College-bound DeShaw landed on first team for BFP All-State. In the winter, DeShaw was academic all-star who was a key forward on the Sealakers’ first championship in program history. And for lacrosse in the spring, DeShaw earned a spot on the D-I coaches’ second team as a midfielder.

Stella Dooley, Champlain Valley Union High School

The senior was one of the state’s best center backs in soccer for two years, making the BFP All-State first team for a Redhawks squad that went undefeated during the regular season. In the spring, Dooley was a US Lacrosse Academic All-American and D-I coaches’ first team pick at midfielder.

Tanner Drury, White River Valley School

At 5-foot-2, the senior Drury shined in three sports at White River Valley. In the fall, Drury was a D-III coaches’ first team defender. In the winter, Drury surpassed 1,000 career points and made the Southern Vermont League ‘C’ Division first team. And in the spring, Drury was a first-team pick for the SVL ‘C’ Division first team.

Isabel Greb, Proctor High School

The senior pulled off a rare feat this school year, reaching two impressive milestone figures with 100 career goals in soccer and 1,000 career points in basketball. In soccer, Greb made the BFP All-State second team as a forward. In basketball, Greb was an honorable-mention selection for BFP All-State. Then this spring for softball, Greb earned a spot on the SVL ‘D’ Division honorable-mention list.

Hannah Gubbins, Woodstock High School

The senior was a first-team selection for BFP All-State in field hockey and hockey. In the fall, she supplied 25 goals and 11 assists to make first team at forward. In the winter as a defenseman, Gubbins was Woodstock’s leading scorer (23 goals, six assists). And in the spring, Gubbins was a midfielder who made the D-II coaches’ first team.

Holley MacLellan, Milton High School

The box-to-box midfielder who tallied 21 goals and 16 assists, MacLellan made the BFP All-State first team in soccer, guiding the Yellowjackets to the D-II state title. In the winter, MacLellan made another first team for BFP All-State after collecting a team-high 37 goals in the Sealakers’ run to an historic state crown. Then in the spring, MacLellan was a first-team outfielder for the All-Lake squad.

Sidney Herrington, Arlington Memorial High School

Herrington was a coaches’ all-state midfielder who helped Arlington claim the D-IV soccer championship in the fall. For basketball, Herrington made first team for the SVL ‘D’ Division. And for track and field, Herrington claimed shot put and javelin at the D-IV state meet while running a leg on the victorious 4×400 relay squad for the Eagles.

Breya Montague, Essex High School

The senior was a BFP All-State second-team honoree for defense in the fall, helping Essex reach the program’s first D-I title game in 10 years. In the winter, Montague landed a spot on the honorable-mention list for BFP All-State basketball. And in the spring, Montague spearheaded the Hornets’ run to their first lacrosse title in program history. Montague, who surpassed 100 career goals in April, was also a US Lacrosse All-American and first-team pick for D-I coaches.

Nicole Norton, Colchester High School

The senior landed on the honorable-mention squad for BFP All-State in field hockey, helping the Lakers reach the D-I semifinals. In the winter, the shooting threat made honorable mention for BFP All-State in basketball. And in the spring, Norton was a first-team selection at third base for All-Metro softball.

Aurora Rella-Neill, Mount Anthony Union High School

The junior was an honorable-mention pick for BFP All-State in soccer. In the winter for Nordic skiing, Rella-Neill was a Southern Vermont League all-star selection. And in the spring for lacrosse, Rella-Neill was a first-team midfielder for D-I coaches.

Audrey Rupp, Windsor High School

The junior powered Windsor to an appearance in the D-III soccer title game with a 50-goal season, earning a spot as a second-team forward for BFP All-State. In the winter, Rupp made BFP All-State honorable mention for basketball as the Yellow Jackets played in their third straight final. And in the spring for Hartford, Rupp was a US Lacrosse Academic All-American who also landed on the D-II coaches’ first team as a midfielder.

Kate Tilgner, Stowe High School

An honorable-mention selection on defense for BFP All-State, Tilgner helped Stowe to a D-III soccer four-peat. In the winter for hockey, Tilgner was a Lake Division first-team forward and an academic all-star. And in the spring for tennis, Tilgner paired with teammate Gabby Doehla to win an unprecedented fourth straight doubles state championship. Tilgner also won at No. 4 singles in the team final for the Raiders’ fourth straight title.

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Contact Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.

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Vermont

Person killed in early morning crash on Route 7 in Pittsford

Published

6 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Person killed in early morning crash on Route 7 in Pittsford

PITTSFORD, Vt. (WCAX) – One person died and another was injured in a two-vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer on U.S. Route 7 early Friday morning.

The crash occurred at approximately 5:13 a.m. near the intersection with Giddings Lane in Pittsford, according to Vermont State Police.

Police said the driver of a tractor-trailer, identified as Paul Ricard, 64 of Castleton, was traveling northbound on Route 7 when the trailer became detached and stopped in the roadway facing northbound. The driver stopped and exited the vehicle to attempt to reconnect the detached trailer.

A second vehicle, operated by Christopher Cyr, 54, of Rutland, was traveling northbound on Route 7 and collided with the back of the detached trailer, police said.

Ricard was transported to Rutland Regional Medical Center for suspected minor injuries. Cyr was pronounced dead at the scene.

Vermont State Police from the Rutland Barracks responded to the crash. Regional Ambulance Service, the Pittsford Fire Department and Pittsford First Response assisted at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

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Vermont

Referee shortage threatens Vermont high school sports – Valley News

Published

18 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Referee shortage threatens Vermont high school sports – Valley News

Vermont is in the midst of an alarming referee shortage — a problem unfolding nationwide, but one that has hit hard in a state with a small and aging workforce.

Between 2018 and 2023, the National Federation of State High School Associations reported a loss of almost 60,000 officials nationwide, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Vermont, officials are spread thin covering games across 23 sports at over 70 high schools in the Vermont Principals’ Association — the state’s governing body for school athletics. Trainees aren’t offsetting the number of retiring veteran officials, and the resulting gap in personnel is forcing games to be postponed or canceled.

“What was just affecting a couple sports out of the wide pool of varsity sports in the state — now it’s virtually every sport,” said Devin Wendel, president of the Vermont State Athletic Directors Association and athletic director at Mount Abraham Union High School.

With a working population that is already strained, the persisting shortage of officials in Vermont carries a serious risk of interrupting high school seasons.

“If we don’t do something, in the next three to five years there won’t be enough of us to cover sporting events in Vermont and that is bad for all involved,” Steve Cicio — president of Vermont’s branch of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials — wrote in a Nov. 13 email. “We are going to struggle this season with what we have for numbers,” he said.

This year alone, the association lost between 10 and 12 varsity officials, and five to six junior varsity officials, according to Cicio.

Many of those retiring have been in the business for numerous decades, with expertise in multiple sports. Their retirements mean fewer mentors for the next generation filling their shoes.

A 2023 survey of the association’s officials found that around half planned to retire by 2028.

“Not only are we losing a large percentage of our board, but out of that 50%, a large percentage of those folks are capable and qualified to work almost any game in the state,” said Trevour Houle, a varsity basketball official of nearly 10 years. “If I were to guess, it’s going to create a snowball effect where we lose a large amount of officials — those who are left are asked to work more nights a week, those officials are probably going to get burnt out or injured, and they’re going to decide next year whether they want to do that all over again or not.”

Dwindling numbers puts a greater burden on those remaining, who are expected to cover more games across further distances than they had previously.

“You’re seeing officials that are getting overworked, trying to hustle over to get from one location to the next,” said Michael Jabour, senior director of activities at South Burlington High School and Middle School.

Varsity teams typically take priority because their regular seasons determine playoffs and championships, unlike junior varsity teams, said Tim Messier, athletic director at Lamoille Union High School. Teams at Lamoille Union lose a couple games each season because officials aren’t available, he said.

Referees are paid $97.50 for varsity and $75 for junior varsity games, plus the cost of mileage. First-time registration to be an official costs $30 and secures certification for one year. Referees can then officiate as many sports they choose to train for.

The VPA’s officials committee increased the pay by 30% two years ago and the earnings are aligned with all other New England states, said Lauren Young, executive director of activities at the VPA.

“You take your $97.50 and it sounds like, ‘Wow, that’s a great fee for a game.’ Well, it was an hour there. You have to get to the game an hour early. The game takes an hour and a half to two hours. You shower, you’re in the locker room for 20 minutes after the game and then you have your hour ride home,” Houle said. “When you start breaking it down to an hourly rate, it’s not that great.”

Vermont’s handful of remaining referees also face continuing harassment, particularly from spectators, said Young. She suspects that poor sportsmanship is partially to blame for disillusionment about joining the force.

Among those who become certified, most new officials resign within their first three years, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

“They can never be right. They’re always to blame,” Jabour said. “It’s hard to be an official because you’re constantly being told how terrible you are.”

As the VPA ramps up their recruitment efforts, Young wants to see a more accurate representation of Vermont’s student body with whistles — particularly through more women and people of color becoming certified to officiate.

“We have diverse schools, and I think there’s power in seeing people in a position of authority in the game that are reflective of what they look like to try to dispel some of the older white male dominance over the officiating world,” she said.

Nationally, the shortage could be on the mend. The National Federation of State High School Associations reported an 8% increase in registered officials this year compared to 2018.

But in Vermont, the void left by referees stepping down isn’t being filled. While the VPA is marketing to college students and tapping school administrators to spread the word about the shortage in their communities, Young expects to draw in just two or three newcomers this year.

“Even recruiting 10 officials in the state of Vermont can have a huge impact on a local high school being able to actually keep their schedule intact,” Wendel said.

Busy Anderson is a reporter with the Community News Service, part of the University of Vermont’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling program.

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Vermont-based fighter wing deploying to Caribbean amid tensions with Venezuela, US senator says – The Boston Globe

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

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Vermont-based fighter wing deploying to Caribbean amid tensions with Venezuela, US senator says – The Boston Globe

U.S. Sen. Peter Welch on Friday said the Pentagon had ordered the deployment of the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158^th Fighter Wing to the Caribbean amid heightened tensions with Venezuela.

According to Welch, the deployment is part of Operation Southern Spear, which has been targeting drug trafficking in the region as President Donald Trump’s administration has sought the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

A Pentagon spokesperson on Friday referred questions to the Vermont Guard.

The 158^th Fighter Wing, based in South Burlington, includes 20 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets and approximately 1,000 personnel.

Joseph Brooks, a spokesperson for the Vermont Guard, told the Globe earlier this week that the unit had been ordered by the Department of Defense to mobilize, but he would not disclose the location or details of the deployment.

Brooks declined to comment further Friday night.

In a written statement, Welch thanked Vermont Guard members for their service but criticized the Trump administration for deploying them.

“I strongly oppose President Trump’s mobilization of the Vermont Air National Guard alongside thousands of other U.S. military units in what appears to be a relentless march to war,” Welch said. “An undeclared war against the Venezuelan regime would be illegal under our Constitution. If this president — or any president — wants to start a war with Venezuela, which has not attacked us and is not a source of the fentanyl that is killing Americans, then he needs to seek authorization from Congress, as the authors of the Constitution intended.”

Details of the deployment remained unclear Friday, though Seven Days, a Burlington newspaper, reported that the unit would be stationed at a recently reopened military base in Puerto Rico. The newspaper said some Vermont Guard members had already headed there to prepare for the deployment.

This story has been updated.

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