Vermont

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

Published

2 years 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.

Become a member of the Vermont Varsity Insider Facebook group at https://bit.ly/2MGSfvX.

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

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Vermont

46 anti-Trump No Kings protests planned in Vermont. How to go

Published

9 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

46 anti-Trump No Kings protests planned in Vermont. How to go

Vermonters protest against deportations, stand in solidarity with LA

Vermonters marched up Church Street in solidarity of Los Angeles protestors and against the federal government’s immigration policies June 10.

Large scale anti-Trump protests are coming to Vermont for a third time, with at least 46 No Kings protests planned across the state for March 28.

This round of No Kings protests might be the biggest so far: organizers anticipate it’ll be “one of the largest single-day nonviolent nationwide protests in U.S. history,” with more than 3,000 events already planned across the country on March 28.

“As President Trump escalates his attempts to control us, it is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another and our country,” the “No Kings” website says. “If he believes we will roll over and allow him to take our freedoms, he is mistaken. We are coming together again on March 28 because we know we can overcome this repression when we unite.”

In Vermont, protests are being held in all corners of the state, from Bennington to Newport. There are about six protests listed in Burlington, including a march to City Hall, a New North End Honk and Wave and a rally at the intersection of Shelburne Rd and Hannaford Drive.

Here’s what to know ahead of the protests.

What are ‘No Kings’ protests and what does it mean?

In June 2025, large crowds of Vermont residents took part in the first round of “No Kings Day” protests, planned the same day as the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebration and the president’s birthday.

Another wave of nationwide “No Kings” protests came several months later in October, in which over seven million Americans joined events in all 50 states, according to the organization. In Burlington, thousands of protesters brought homemade signs protesting Trump, dressed in colorful inflatable costumes, played music and chanted.

Organizers behind the No Kings protests say that it is a “peaceful movement” to push back on President Donald Trump’s policies, including on immigration, foreign policy and the economy.

“With every ICE raid, every escalation abroad, and every abuse of power at home, Americans are rising up in opposition to Trump’s attempt to rule through fear and force. Each day Trump crosses a new red line, and more people are deciding they’ve had enough,” said Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible, one of the many organizations backing the mass protests.

Others include American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign, MoveOn and 50501.

No Kings protests near me: See events, rallies in Vermont

As of 2 p.m. on March 26, there were 46 No Kings events planned in Rhode Island for March 28. Some towns and cities are holding multiple events.

Here’s a list of events in Burlington:

Burlington New North End Honk and Wave: 11a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1127 North Ave, Burlington
- “Invite your friends and neighbors and meet up at 11 a.m. at 1127 North Avenue along the sidewalks at the entrances of the Ethan Allen Shopping Plaza (home to Hannaford Supermarket and many other shops). Bring your signs, banners, noise makers, and American flags,” the listing reads. “This joyous, non-violent honk and wave action will wrap up at 12:30 p.m. Following the Honk and Wave, participants are welcome to proceed to City Hall Park to join the conclusion of the North End and South End marches.”
Patchen Road Overpass: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Patchen Road & Landfill Road, South Burlington
- “We’ll be unfurling our huge NO KINGS banners on the overpass as 4,000 – 5,000 vehicles per hours pass below on Interstate 89. Bring a sign, bring an American flag, and bring a friend,” reads the listing. It says to register and to follow the guidance of safety marshals, and encourages attendees to carpool as “parking is tight.”
Burlington South End March: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Calahan Park, 45 Locust St, Burlington
- “We’ll be marching from Calahan Park to City Hall Park,” says the event description. “If you don’t want to march or are unable please join us at City Hall park at 12:30 p.m. for singing, chanting and more.”
South Burlington: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Intersection of Shelburne Rd and Hannaford Dr in South Burlington, 1001 Shelburne Rd, South Burlington, VT
- “Join Champlain Valley Indivisible at the intersection of Shelburne Rd and Hannaford Drive in South Burlington to stand up and speak out against this administration’s unjust and cruel acts of violence,” the event listing says, adding that those interested should register.
Burlington March to City Hall: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1 S Prospect St., Burlington
Burlington Old North End March: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Roosevelt Park, 57 Oak St., Burlington
- “We’ll be marching from Roosevelt park to City Hall Park,” the listing says. “If you don’t want to march or are unable please join us at City Hall park at 12:30 p.m. for singing, chanting and more.”

Here’s a list of all the towns in Vermont holding protests so far, plus when, where and other helpful information listed on the event pages or provided in press releases:

Bellow Falls
Bennington
Bradford
Brandon
Brattleboro
Burlington
Charlotte
Chester
Essex Junction
Fair Haven
Fairfax
Hardwick
Hartford
Huntington
Jericho
Manchester
Middlebury
Milton
Milton
Montpelier
Morrisville
Newbury
Newport
Northfield
Randolph
Randolph
Richmond
Rutland
Saint Johnsbury
Shelburne
South Burlington
South Burlington
St. Albans
Wallingford
Waterbury
Westfield
Williston
Wilmington
Windsor
Winooski
Wolcott
Woodstock

More events may be planned. You can check the map on the No Kings website to see if your town is holding a protest.

What time are No Kings events?

“No Kings” protests in Vermont start at various times on March 28, with some events planned at 10 a.m. and others planned throughout the afternoon, according to the online map of events.

Contributing: Paris Barraza

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Vermont

Vermont Sports Hall of Fame adds two members to 2026 induction class

Published

21 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Vermont Sports Hall of Fame adds two members to 2026 induction class

An international ambassador for tennis from South Burlington and a three-sport captain at Burlington High School and the University of Vermont more than 100 years ago are the final members for the 2026 Vermont Sports Hall of Fame banquet, the organization announced in a news release on Thursday, March 26.

Jake Agna, the former legendary tennis coach at South Burlington High School, is the 2026 David Hakins inductee, which honors an individual or a group or organization for exceptional promotion of sports, athletics and recreation in the state. Fenwick Watkins, a pioneer and exceptional athlete and coach who helped break color barriers in sports in the early 1900s, has been named the hall’s historic inductee.

Agna and Watkins join 10 other members previously announced this year who will officially be enshrined during a celebration banquet at the Delta Marriott Burlington Hotel on 1117 Williston Road in South Burlington on Saturday, April 25.

The dinner begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by the induction ceremony. To purchase tickets to the 2026 event, visit the VSHOF website at vermontsportshall.com. The cost is $95 per plate with part of the proceeds going to Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, the longtime designated charity for VSHOF.

Over 38 years coaching girls tennis at South Burlington, Agana compiled a 489-95 record with eight perfect seasons, 16 Division I titles and 13 runner-up trophies before stepping down prior to the 2023 season.

Agna is also founded Kids on the Ball in 2000, which is designed to teach children life lessons such as relationships and respect by learning the game of tennis. He has led 31 trips to Cuba to help expand the sport. His tennis programs reach out to over 200 kids each day in school and after school programs.

Agna’s work to help resurface 10 courts and renovation of the National Tennis Center in Cuba in 2017 was recognized by the Tennis Channel.

Watkins was a three-sport star in football, basketball, baseball at Burlington before graduating in 1905. At UVM, he is believed to be the first Black captain of a non-historical Black college or university sport and was captain for all three sports at both BHS and UVM, according to VSHOF.

After UVM, Watkins went on to become a high school and college head coach in North Dakota at Concordia College (football) and what is now known as North Dakota State (baseball and football). He died in 1943.

The previous winners for the Hakins award are: Barry Stone (2024); Thomas Dunkley (2023); Ted Ryan (2022); Cochran’s Ski Area, Mickey & Ginny Cochran (2020); Mal Boright (2019); Helmut Lenes (2017); Ernie Farrar (2015); Tom Curley (2014) and Ray Pecor (2013).

The previous historic winners include: Leo Papineau, St. Michael’s College, athlete, coach and official (2025); Clarence Demar, South Hero, distance running, (2017); Fred Harris, Brattleboro, outdoors/ski jumping, (2015); James Taylor, Windsor, outdoors, (2014); and Charles Adams, Newport, National Hockey League, (2013).

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

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See the Brattleboro student who won the Poetry Out Loud state finals

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

See the Brattleboro student who won the Poetry Out Loud state finals

Beth McDermott
| Reporter assisted by AI

Eason DeMarsico-Thorne, a student at Brattleboro Union High School, won the 2026 Poetry Out Loud State Finals, held the Flynn on March 5, according to a community announcement.

DeMarsico-Thorne will represent Vermont at the national competition at the end of April in the nation’s capital. Gretchen Wertlieb of South Burlington High School was the runner-up, and Aiva Reed of Windsor High School placed third.

The state finals featured 10 students who recited poems over three rounds. The top three, with the highest cumulative scores after the first two rounds, advanced to the final round.

DeMarsico-Thorne recited “Fruit of the Flower” by Countee Cullen, “I Shall Return” by Claude Mckay and “A Southern Road” by Helene Johnson.

Wertlieb recited “To a Young Dancing Girl” by Elsa Gidlow, “Thoughts in Jail” by Katharine Rolston Fisher and “I shall forget you presently, my dear” (Sonnet IV), by Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Reed recited “Why We Oppose Women Travelling in Railway Trains” by Alice Duer Miller, “Militants to Certain Other Women” by Katharine Rolston Fisher and “If I Had Known” by Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson.

The other finalists were Phoebe Gresham from Mount Mansfield Union High School, Ranee Hall from Thetford Academy, Marcus Burns from St. Johnsbury Academy, Taylor Daleb from Peoples Academy, Moya Thayer from Burlington High School, Theo Novak from Champlain Valley Union High School and Patrick Tester from Lyndon Institute.

Eighteen schools across Vermont registered to bring the national Poetry Out Loud program to their classrooms for the 2025-26 school year, reaching 2,000 students with about 60 teachers participating, according to the announcement. Fifteen students were selected by their teachers as school champions and participated in the statewide semifinals, held on Feb. 12 at the Barre Opera House.

DeMarsico-Thorne received $200 and advances to the national finals, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends are distributed. The state champion’s school receives $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. Wertlieb received $100, with $200 for her school.

Poetry Out Loud is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Vermont Arts Council. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4 million students across the country have participated. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers the monetary prizes.

For more information about Vermont Poetry Out Loud, visit flynnvt.org/Education/poetry-out-loud.

This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

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