Vote now for Vermont Varsity Insider Athletes of the Week: Ballots for Jan. 1-7

Welcome to the second installment of the 2023-24 winter season for the Vermont Varsity Insider Athletes of the Week voting by high school sports fans.

This week, and every week during the sports seasons, members of the public may vote for a top girls athlete and a top boys athlete.

Varsity Insider Athletes of the week: Winners for the 2023-24 school year

How do I cast my vote?

All voting is through the two ballots at burlingtonfreepress.com. We will not accept votes through email or through social media.

Voting began Jan. 8, and continues through 11:59 p.m. Thursday.

How do we learn who wins?

The two winners will be announced in a story published at burlingtonfreepress.com on Friday.

How can I nominate an athlete?

We accept nominations via email: sports@burlingtonfreepress.com (Subject Line: Athletes of the Week nomination).

Girls Athlete of the Week nominees

More on this week’s candidates:

Sabine Brueck, North Country basketball: In a 3-0 week for the defending Division II champion Falcons, Brueck compiled 18 points, 10 rebounds and five steals in a 45-20 win over Spaulding, dropped 17 points in a 48-23 decision over U-32 and poured in 29 points in a 50-35 victory over Harwood.

Kate Carlson, Mount Mansfield Nordic skiing: The freshman captured the first two stages of the Tour de ChAd last week. Last Monday, Carlson recorded a winning skate time of 14:54.8 at Sleepy Hollow. Then at Rikert Nordic Center on Friday, Carlson posted the win in the classic discipline (19:26.7). The third and final stage was scheduled for Monday afternoon at Cochran’s (uphill climb).

Lauren Chute, Brattleboro gymnastics: In a meet in Manchester between defending champion Burr and Burton and Essex, Chute claimed all-around honors with a total score of 36.8. Chute and Brattleboro are traveling with BBA this winter.

Kaelin Downey, Burr and Burton hockey: After a two-goal, one-assist performance to lead BBA to a 6-1 win over Rutland, Downey’s unassisted third-period tally vs. Missisquoi broke a 2-all tie and lifted the Bulldogs to a 4-2 triumph.

Emily Tringe, U-32 hockey: Tringe supplied a hat trick in a 6-2 victory over Missisquoi and racked up two goals and three assists in a 10-1 rout of Brattleboro.

Boys Athlete of the Week nominees

More on this week’s candidates:

Malcolm Ernst, Lamoille basketball: After a 10-point, 8-assist performance in a 49-45 victory over U-32, Ernst totaled 16 points and five assists in a 66-45 triumph over Spaulding.

Brady Morigeau, Mount Mansfield Nordic skiing: The junior won the first two stages of the Tour de ChAd last week. For the opening stage last Monday, Morigeau raced to a winning time of 13:12.5 in the skate discipline at Sleepy Hollow. Then on Friday for stage No. 2, Morigeau’s 15:59.7 topped the field in the classic discipline at Rikert Nordic Center. The third and final stage was scheduled for Monday afternoon at Cochran’s (uphill climb).

Griffin Nelson, Harwood hockey: The freshman forward struck for a pair of goals in a 3-2 win over Milton, and then supplied another two-game effort to aid the Highlanders’ 5-3 victory over Missisquoi.

Kelton Poirier, Essex indoor track and field: The Tennessee-bound Poirier reset the school record in the 600 meters (1:23.66) in capturing the event at Saturday’s Dartmouth Relays in Hanover, New Hampshire. Then Sunday, Poirier raced to wins in the 1,500 (4:23.85) and 300 (38.12) at a meet held at the University of Vermont.

Abdi Sharif, Rice basketball: After a 23-point outing in a 78-74 victory at St. Johnsbury, Sharif tallied 12 points, including a pair of late free throws to help the Green Knights edge reigning champion Champlain Valley in a rematch of last year’s Division I title game.

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