Vermont

Teenager seizes 118th Vermont Amateur in four-person playoff, youngest champion since 1999

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2024

Teenager seizes 118th Vermont Amateur in four-person playoff, youngest champion since 1999

Lucas Politano shanked his second shot on the second playoff hole of the 118th Vermont Amateur, his ball plunged deep in the soaked rough some 170 yards from the green on the par-5 No. 18.

The teenager stayed upbeat.

“The first thought I had was, ‘I couldn’t believe I just did that.’ Next thought, ‘We still have a chance at making birdie here,’” Politano said.

The senior-to-be at Otter Valley Union High School delivered a delicate yet brilliant shot, softly bouncing his approach about 20 feet from the pin. He then rolled in the birdie attempt.

“I had to refocus real quick. I had a gap but I had to get it over a little tree and I just it a perfect shot, I guess,” said Politano, who used a seven-iron to get out of trouble.

And after Walker Allen just missed his retort to send the playoff to another hole, Politano hugged his caddie for a rare moment in the tournament’s cherished history: The 17-year-old became the youngest Vermont Amateur champion in 25 years, surviving a four-person playoff to close the rain-shortened, 54-hole championship at Burlington Country Club on Thursday.

At 16 years old, only Dustin Cone (1999), Tommy Pierce (1935) and Les Mercer (1921) were younger than Politano when they claimed their titles.

[Editor’s note: See below for the full leaderboard]

Politano also joined his sister, Mia, as Vermont Amateur champions. Mia Politano captured the women’s title in 2022.

“I think it’s awesome to do it a couple years after her,” Lucas Politano said. “It’s great, you always want to write your name on the Amateur trophy.”

Politano’s victory capped a tournament that dealt with heavy rain and thunderstorms this week. Vermont Golf Association officials were forced to suspend play Wednesday and then shortened the tournament from its traditional 72 holes to just 54.

Politano, Allen, Michael Walsh and Travis Russell all finished at 1-under 212 — the only golfers in red in a remarkably tight leaderboard. Two-time champions Bryson Richards (2021, 2023) and Evan Russell (2013, 2014), Travis Russell’s younger brother, were one and two shots, respectively, back of the leaders. Garren Poirier, the 2020 winner, finished three shots behind.

On the 18th hole before the playoff, Politano rattled in a birdie to join the four-person group while Russell pushed his birdie attempt wide that would’ve won the title outright.

The foursome returned to the 18th green to start the playoff. Allen and Politano notched birdies, but Travis Russell and Walsh, a BCC member, exited with pars. Allen and Politano went back again to tee off at No. 18. After both had good drives in the fairway, Politano knocked his second shot into the rough and Allen couldn’t avoid a bunker to the left of the green.

More: Two-time Vermont Amateur champion seizes Day 1 lead at Burlington Country Club

Politano, the two-time Vermont high school D-II state champion, then dropped his approach onto the green. Allen, who shot 67 Thursday for the tournament’s low round, coolly got out of the bunker to give himself a chance at birdie. But Allen couldn’t hole his putt to extend the championship to a third playoff hole.

Politano moved into serious contention with a 68 on Wednesday. His day on Thursday started poorly: A front-nine 39 featured five bogeys and just two birdies. But Politano closed with a back-nine 33, including a must-have birdie on the No. 18 to make the playoff.

“I just remembered how much I worked for this. You can’t really ever completely get rid of the nerves,” Politano said. “But you can always go back to the basics and go back to what you remember and go from there.”

Led by Walsh, Burlington Country Club captured the McCullough Cup. The last time BCC hosted the Vermont Amateur, the tournament also needed a playoff to determine a winner. In 2014, Evan Russell survived five playoff holes for the second of back-to-back crowns.

Final Vermont Amateur leaderboard

Thursday (after three rounds)

At Burlington Country Club

Par 71

Lucas Politano (Ralph Myhre) … 72-68-72—212 (won playoff after two holes)

Walker Allen (Neshobe) … 73-72-67—212

Michael Walsh (Burlington) … 72-70-70—212

Travis Russell (Lakeside) … 70-69-73—212

Bryson Richards (Barre) … 70-72-71—213

Evan Russell (VT National) … 68-75-71—214

Garren Poirier (Rutland) … 70-72-73—215

Alex Leonard (Burlington) … 75-71-71—217

Taylor Bellemare (Ekwanok) … 77-69-72—218

Cory Jozefiak (802 Golf Academy) … 75-72-72—219

Garret Cameron (Barre) … 74-74-71—219

Ryan Porter (Rutland) … 71-74-74—219

Bryan Smith (Burlington) … 73-78-69—220

Cameron O’Connell (Burlington) … 78-72-70—220

Eric Lajeunesse (Barre) … 77-74-70—221

Austin Giroux (Newport) … 72-76-75—223

Troy Goliber (VT National) … 73-78-73—224

Mathew Smith (Manchester) … 73-76-76—225

Nate Godbout (Rocky Ridge) … 80-74-71—225

Cody Semmelrock (Williston) … 75-74-77—226

Ryan Manley (VT National) … 73-80-73—226

Chaney Noyes (Burlington) … 77-75-75—227

Riley Richards (Barre) … 78-72-78—228

Nick Ojala (Proctor-Pittsford) … 77-76-75—228

Sebastian Pell (Rutland) … 77-76-75—228

Charlie Davis (Ekwanok) … 77-74-77—229

Evan Forrest (Burlington) … 81-73-76—230

Ryan Shields (VT National) … 73-76-81—230

Ben Spittle (Blush Hill) … 77-76-77—230

Alec Carew (West Bolton) … 76-79-77—231

Brody Yates (Kwiniaska) … 76-78-77—231

Lance Robinson (CC of VT) … 78-75-78—231

Frankie Sanborn (Rutland) … 75-75-82—232

Sean Keogh (Lakeside) … 78-77-78—233

Jeffrey Maier (Williston) … 74-77-83—234

Brian Cain (CC of VT) … 78-77-79—234

Charles McNeeley (CC of VT) … 81-74-80—235

Owen Benoit (Champlain) … 74-77-84—235

Cameron Saia (Burlington) … 79-76-81—236

Adam Berger (Burlington) … 78-73-86—237

Stephen Richards (Kwiniaska) … 78-76-238—238

Note: For the full results, including those who did not make the cut, visit golfgenius.

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

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Vermont

Friends, family rally behind Vermont veteran charged with domestic terrorism

Published

5 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Friends, family rally behind Vermont veteran charged with domestic terrorism

NEWPORT, Vt. (WCAX) – Friends and family of a Vermont veteran charged with domestic terrorism rallied in Newport Thursday, saying the charges stem from a mental health crisis and are unwarranted.

Vermont State Police say Joseph “J.J.” Millett, 38, of Newport, called a veterans crisis line in February, making suicidal statements and threatening a mass-casualty event.

Court records say Millett had guns and wrote what investigators call a manifesto. He turned himself in, and state police say they disarmed him at the barracks. He pleaded not guilty and was never formally arrested or placed in jail. He is currently in a treatment facility.

Supporters say the threats were the result of new medication and a mental health crisis. “But all the way to domestic terrorism for a man that fought overseas — he wasn’t a terrorist. He’s been fighting terrorists half his life,” said Chad Abbott, a friend who served with Millett overseas.

Abbott said he believes the charges could have unintended consequences for veterans seeking help. “These hotlines that they put out for us is to kind of get us the help we need. And now, none of us are going to want to call that,” he said.

Millett’s sister, Courtney Morin, said her brother served in the Vermont Guard for nearly 10 years and has struggled with mental health since returning home. “He suffers from depression, anxiety — he has PTSD. So, he’s actually been seeking help for his mental health for probably as long as he’s been home,” Morin said.

Orleans County State’s Attorney Farzana Leyva said the charge is warranted and that Millett was not calling for help when he contacted the crisis line. “He called the crisis helpline to make the threats. I think we have to be very clear about that. Those were threats. He did not call the crisis helpline for help. He called anonymously,” Leyva said.

She said the evidence — including repeated threats — Millett’s access to guns, and a manifesto justifies the charge and protects the public. “My priority is public safety, which is the highest priority that I have right now,” Leyva said.

Morin said she believes her brother was trying to get help. “I think he was seeking help. I mean, it’s all a trail of him seeking help, being on different meds. You know, we’re not in his head. We don’t know what he’s dealing with. And especially if you’re dealing with it alone,” Morin said.

Millett continues to receive treatment and is due back in court later this month.

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Vermont

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Thursday, March 5

Published

17 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Thursday, March 5

The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

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

▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

THURSDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES

D-III GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

At Barre Auditorium

No. 5 Vergennes (17-4) vs. No. 1 Hazen (18-2), 5:30 p.m.

No. 3 Oxbow (16-6) vs. No. 2 Windsor (16-6), 7:30 p.m.

Watch Vermont high school sports on NFHS Network

D-I BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

No. 8 Mount Mansfield (10-11) at No. 1 Rice Memorial (17-3)

No. 12 Essex (5-16) at No. 4 Rutland (15-6)

No. 7 Burr and Burton (13-8) at No. 2 South Burlington (15-5), 6 p.m.

No. 6 BFA-St. Albans (13-8) vs. No. 3 Burlington (15-5) at Colchester, 7:30 p.m.

D-II GIRLS HOCKEY QUARTERFINALS

No. 8 Stowe (5-16) vs. No. 1 U-32 (13-6-1) at Kreitzberg Arena, 5 p.m.

(Subject to change)

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Vermont

19 Vermont school budgets fail as education leaders debate need for reform

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

19 Vermont school budgets fail as education leaders debate need for reform

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Most Vermont school budgets passed Tuesday, but 19 districts and supervisory unions saw their spending plans rejected — an uptick from the nine that failed in 2025, though well below the 29 that failed in 2024.

Some education leaders say the results show communities are largely supportive of their schools.

“We’re starting to kind of equalize out again towards the normal trend of passage of school budgets each year,” said Chelsea Meyers of the Vermont Superintendents Association.

Sue Ceglowski of the Vermont School Boards Association said the results send a clear message. “Vermont taxpayers support Vermont’s public schools,” she said.

Meyers said the results also raise questions about the scope of education reform being considered in Montpelier. “If we are going to reform the system, it might not require sweeping broad changes as are being considered right now, but a more concise approach to consider that inequity,” she said.

But in districts where budgets failed, officials say structural changes are still needed. In Barre, where the budget failed, Barre Unified Union School District Board Chair Michael Boutin said the Legislature must, at a minimum, create a new funding formula. “We have to have that in order to avoid the huge increases and decreases — the huge increases that we’ve seen in the last couple years,” Boutin said.

He said the rise in school budgets is separate from why property owners are seeing sharp tax increases. The average state increase in school budgets is 4%, but the average property tax increase is 10%, driven by cost factors including health care. “There’s a complete disconnect, and that’s a product of the terrible system that we have in Vermont with our funding formula,” Boutin said.

Ceglowski says the state should address health care costs before moving forward with rapid education policy changes. “Addressing the rapid rise in the cost of school employees’ health benefits by ensuring a fair and balanced statewide bargaining process for those benefits,” she said.

The 19 districts that did not pass their budgets will need to draft new spending plans to present to voters, which often requires cuts. Twelve school districts are scheduled to vote at a later date.

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