2023 High school spring sports guide: track and field

By PATRICK O’GRADY

Valley News Correspondent

Published: 04-21-2023 10:58 AM

HANOVER

Coaches: Steve McConnell (10th season), Dorcas Den Hartog (third season), Meg McGuire (15th season), Patrick Kelly (sixth season).

League: NHIAA Division II.

Last year: Girls were ninth and boys sixth at the Division II state meet.

Girls’ returners: Seniors — Daisy Onyango, Katherine Valentino. Juniors — Anna Aron, Mia Bagnato, Sarah Glueck, Emma Letendre, Eva Simpson. Sophomores — Penelope Collins, Heidi Davis, Ameilia Holthoff, Ella Tullar.

Boys’ returners: Seniors — Mack Levy, Aaron Matthew, Thomas Mosdal, Ian Solberg, Luke Welder. Juniors — Ian Aguilar-Hwang, Aidan Bradley, Patrick Donegan, Lucian Gleiser, Martin Joaquin, Jack Olmstead, Aidan Powell, Joshua Warner, Hyunseo Yi, Jinseo Yi. Sophomores — Joseph Glass, Rex Gleason, Abraham Healey, Lionel Ndong, Nathanial Solberg, August Thompson, Alexander Valentino, Andrew Valentino. Freshman — William Hanaway.

Girls’ newcomers: Juniors — Anna Healey, Elena Mierke, Charleigh Olmstead. Sophomores - Jacklyn Anderson.  Evelyn De Jesus, Dahlia Fuld, Lindsay Faith, Braelyn Pearl, Jennifer Pham, Hazel Tompkins,  Natalie Wainwright, Emilia Williams. Freshmen — Leigh Eggleton, Megan Faris, Heidi Kauffman, Mary Matter, Matilda Munroe, Lea Perreard, Madison Vidou.

Boys’ newcomers: Juniors — Noah Branchflower, James Chafouleas, Justin Dickson, Michael Jia, William Parker, Jeffrey Vidou. Sophomores — Aryaman Bhaskar, Jacinto Esparza Soto, Ryan Faris, Nandeesh Jain, Owen Welch. Freshmen — Nicholas Del Pino, Benjamin Hourdequin, Liam Kitchel, Duncan Klinck, Evan Lewandoski, Safir Mehra, Ryan O’Hern, Jaysen Oriol, Ethan Welder,

Outlook: The Bears lost state high jump champion Emma Kleber and New England champion miler Pierce Seigne to graduation but enter the season with 78 athletes led by Ian Solberg, the Division II indoor high jump champion and Mack Levy, runner up in the 800 meters.

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Coach Steve McConnell said the size of the team should give them depth to compete at the state meet, especially the boys.

“The boys have the ability to score in all areas, with the jumpers led by Ian Solberg, the distance group led by Lucian Gleiser and Mack Levy, the throwers led by newcomer James Chafouleas, and a great sprint group who set the school record in the 4x400m indoors, led by Joaquin Martin, Aidan Bradley, and Aiden Powell,” McConnell said, adding that several talented freshmen should have an immediate impact.

“The girls will be led by Mia Bagnato and Poppy Collins in the sprints, with some freshmen who could compete in the distance events in Lea Perreard and Megan Faris,” McConnell said, noting that his will be the last year of the track before it is resurfaced. “The team won a state title the first year it was installed, in 2006.  Perhaps we can send it out in style this year.”

HARTFORD

Coach: Mike Perry (30th season).

League: VPA Division II.

Last year: Boys finished third in the state meet; the girls 10th; John Cassell was the state pole vault champion.

Boys’ returners: Seniors — John Cassell, Rocco Clough, Ozzy DeFelice, Gavin Farnsworth, Blaine Gour. Juniors — Jordan Davis, Jack Fournier-Stephens, Gabriel Guillette, Joseph Knapp, Darian-River Maddox, Maxwell Portnoy, Connor Rice, Benjamin Shepard, Alexander Smith. Sophomores — Brandon Driver, Ayodele Lowe, Liam Mangieri, Bennett Moreno, Nolan Pichtel, Charles Rowe.

Girls’ returners: Seniors — Megan Lang. Juniors — Violet Goodwin. Sophomores — Macy Bettwieser, Nicola Husmann, Sarah Nichols, Dakota Smith

Boys’ newcomers: Seniors — Sawyer Albrecht, Nolan McMahon, Everett Winslow. Juniors — Payton Bessette. Sophomores — Connor Beland, Tighe Hrabchak, Benjamin Lang, Cavan O’Brien. Freshmen — Jayden Forbes, Jack Howard, Cole Rafus, Noah Wood.

Girls’ newcomers: Sophomores — Evelyn Johnson. Freshmen — Rosemary DalPra, Rowan Dumont, Flynn Moreno, Barrett Ouelette, Tanealle Carter, Ayn Davis Raymond.

Outlook: The Hurricanes are again loaded with a lot of talent on the boys’ team as they look to improve upon the third-place finish in last year’s outdoor state meet.

“The boys team came off a very successful indoor season, winning the first indoor state championship in school history,” Perry said.

That championship included state champions Gabe Guillette in the 300 meters and Ayodele Lowe in the long jump.

“Ninety-five percent of that team will be competing this spring and with the infusion of returning spring track athletes the boys’ team will be very competitive,” Perry said. “We have a strong group of new athletes that will stabilize our soft spots. Some of the returning athletes have moved into different events where they are more competitive.

LEBANON

Coach: Kevin Lozeau (10th season).

League: NHIAA Division II.

Last year: Boys were fourth, girls 17th at state meet.

Boys’ returners: Seniors — Isaac Ager, Tanner Ames, Joshua Ball, Andrew Dannehy, Duncan Green, Birhanu Harriman, Carson Jones, Noah Lamontagne, Nicholas Lamontagne, Sam Nichols, Tommy Wolfe. Juniors — Ryle Isuga, Talan Patkul, Bradlee Smith. Sophomores — Henry Jones, Doyen Kodiweera, Nicholas Petrucci, Augustin Ramos-Glew, Chip Silver, Palmer Susco, Houze Zhou.

Girls’ returners: Seniors — Ava Ackerman, Claire Falcone, Ella Gessner, Isabella Hastings, Morgan Kantor, Vickie Ni. Juniors — Phoebe Ballard, Norah Falcone, Sophie Longacre, Aavarika Niroula. Sophomores — Rebecca Ball, Meghanne Cheevers, Summer Davis, Sophia Mladek, Anya Zabski.

Boys’ newcomers: Seniors — Angus Hall, Morgan Melendy, Sean Miller. Juniors — Nicholas Engert. Sophomores - Marco Getchell. Freshmen — Alex Boardman, Ryder Desharnais, Oscar Gulledge.

Girls’ newcomers: Seniors — Elizabeth Kourbatski, Emily Melkonian, Mary Rainey. Juniors — Lea Castell, Joney Van Paridon, Norah Burns. Freshmen — Annelise Brown, Madison Garrow, Annelies Hannah, Jaskirat Kaur, Hannah Oliveira, Sarah Smith.

Outlook: The Raider boys bring back some top talent from last year including distant runners Birhanu Harriman, Tommy Wolfe, and Carson Jones. Indoor state shot put champion Tanner Ames will also be in the mix with discus and javelin and Nicholas Lamontagne is a top hurdler. Lozeau expect the boys to again contend for a top spot in the division.

The girls are adding freshmen and upper class newcomers to join experienced seniors Izzy Hastings, Morgan Kantor and Claire Falcone. Outdoor first-timers Elizabeth Kourbatski, Mary Rainey and Nordic skiing champion Anna Hannah add depth. “While the girls have a young team overall, they will certainly look to improve on their finish from last year,” Lozeau said.

MASCOMA

Coaches: Boys — Rick Currier (first season). Girls — Dave Shinnlinger (first season).

League: NHIAA Division III.

Last year: Girls were 10th in the state meet, boys were 26th.

Returners: Seniors — Connor Cantlin, Alanna Cilbrith, Logan Gilmore, Garrett Giovagnoli, Asa Michetti, Rhiannon Stone, Elena Trempe. Juniors — Isabella Adams, Sierra Gianini, Cameron Jespersen-Pecor, Kara Miller. Sophomores — Brody Albanese, Emily Brewster, Ann Buffington, Brayden Cilbrith, Emma Colburn, Gunner Currier, Kaleigh Dinsmore, Shane Loynds, Troy Loynds, Jenney Lutz, Trevor Maheu, Avery McDermott, Braelyn Stone.

Newcomers: Seniors — CJ Barton, Emma Mullaly, Declan Nerney, Rhys Roberts. Juniors — Kamdyn Aldrich. Sophomores — Cora Peters, Neil Rugg. Freshmen — Brayden Bashaw, Landon Bocash, Leo Brock, Barnaby Diehn, Anna Emerson, Kole Gilmore, Baylee Hill, Trinity Hill, Adeline Josephson, Georgia Kondi, Jayden Montebianchi, Carter Nadeau, Charlotte Robillard, Kyle Rostron, Kailey Stauff.

Outlook: “We'll be young this year with 30 of our 46 athletes being freshmen or sophomores, but we're excited to see a strong growth in numbers for this year,” coach Rick Currier said.

The strong indoor seasons of Jenney Lutz, Elena Trempe, Carter Nadeau and Gunner Currier show they should challenge for spots at states, Currier said. Logan Gilmore (sprints) Trevor Maheu (1,600) will compete for spots in the states as well.

“We've got a very large crew of throwers, led in experience by Kara Miller, with Georgia Kondi, Emily Brewster, Emma Mullaly and Kaleigh Dinsmore expected to make big contributions for the girls,” Currier said.

NEWPORT

Coaches: Peter J. Lovely (eighth season).

League: NHIAA Division III.

Last year: Girls were fourth, boys 11th at Division III state meet. Kyle Ashley was a state champion in javelin. Maddox Lovely was state champion in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles.

Returners: Seniors — Timmy Fratzel, Eric Wilkinson. Juniors — Emmah O’Connor, Kyle Ashley. Sophomores — Aaron Fellows, Travis Avery, Cam Simpson, Hunter Austin, Torrence Williams, Taylor Fellows, Maddox Lovely, Skylar Nelson.

Newcomers: Seniors — Jessica McGuire, Christian Padova. Sophomores — Lela Trott, Caden Forand, Gabe Howe, Melody Heacock. Freshmen — Chloe Greenwood, Bryce Palmer, Connor Clark, Aidan Couitt, Brady Minckler, Max Rothbart, Mike Bohn, Taven Valez.

Outlook: The Tigers return several quality athletes who performed well at last year’s state meet. In addition to two state champions, Taylor Fellows set the school record in the 800 meters last year and Eric Wilkinson is a top-five 300-meter hurdler.

“Both boys and girls look to have a strong year even though we are quite young with only three seniors and two juniors,” coach PJ Lovely said.

The girls, led by Maddox and Fellows, also have high hopes for Skylar Nelson in the discus, Jessica McGuire in the sprints and relays and Emmah O’Connor in the javelin.

For the boys, Ashley and Wilkinson will lead a talented squad that will include Tim Fratzel in the 800, Aaron Fellows in several events, and newcomer Gabe Howe in relays.

“We are hoping to qualify seven girls for the state meet, which would be a Newport record on the girls’ side,” Lovely said. “I expect the boys team to qualify seven to eight athletes to the state meet and look for a top 5 finish.”

OXBOW

Coach: Leslie Lamoureux (third season).

League: VPA Division III.

Last year: Boys and girls placed fifth in the VPA Division III state meet. Sophia Hayes was the state champion in the javelin.

Returners: Seniors — Michael Aldrich, Xavier Beaudin, Ryland Cahill, Isabelle Chen, Mackenzie Clogston, Caide Covey, Will Illsley, Noell Koslowsky, Aidan Morse, Haden Palmer, Makenna Smith, Aiden Warner. Juniors — Maisa Cook, Matthew Corti, Hazel Fahey, Dakota Goodspeed, Sophia Hayes. Sophomore — Moses Andrews, Owen Andrus, Andrew Barrett, Cooper Burnet, Isaac Craig, Rueben Keefe, Shane Morse, Liam O'Connell, Oden Schlager, Jordan Williams.

Newcomers: Juniors — Otis Brochu, Morgan Driscoll, Jeremiah Fifield, Takiya Saibou. Freshmen — Mark Aldrich, Teagan Bailey, Lilly Benjamin, Eliza Benware, Tessa Cook, Libby Day, Emerson Fuller Penatzer, Matthew Grout, Kevin Page, Casey Wiedrick.

Outlook: The Olympians have added numbers from last year with almost twice as many athletes, including 16 throwers and 25 runners.

“The boys and girls teams are working hard and staying motivated to get better,” coach Leslie Lamoureux said. “Oxbow has a solid throwing team returning. The relay teams are looking good. We have multiple experienced sprinters who are running competitive times. Our goal as a team for this season is to finish with a higher placement in the state meet, and to attain multiple personal records.”  

SHARON

Coaches: Blake Fabrikant (third season), Moose Wenz (second season).

League: VPA Division IV.

Last year: Boys were fourth at the state meet, girls were sixth.  

Boys’ returners: Seniors — Caleb Benjamin, Jack Lloyd. Juniors — Zabrien McGee. Sophomores — Bryce Rikert, Luke Miller, Samuel Morris.

Girls’ returners: Seniors — Phoebe Quackenbos, Freya Abbey, Lily Welch, Esmé Krauthamer. Sophomores — Elsa Skarsten, Abby Chase, McAllister Gray, Oli Shipman, Maddy Mintz, Avry Loftus.

Boys’ newcomers: Senior — Sam Simone. Juniors — Rowan Royael, Jacob Jeffries. Sophomore — Ira Ferro. Freshman — Raiden Danford.

Girls’ newcomers: Senior — Avery Swett. Juniors — Imi Rose Gross, Arya Flanders. Sophomore — Rose Hsu. Freshmen — Amelia Bailey-Kellogg, Ava Lacaillade.

Outlook: The Phoenix return Luke Miller, who was second at the state meet last year in pole vault, and McAllister Gray and Lily Welch, who placed third in the high jump and long jump, respectively, at the state meet.

“I expect both our boys' and girls' teams to be competitive once again in Division IV, though we did lose some extremely talented athletes from last year's boys' squad to graduation,” coach Blake Fabrikant said. “Our girls' team in particular has a lot of potential to be successful this spring. What we lack in exceptional talent, we make up for in having depth and well-rounded athletes, so we'll look to score in the field events and relays.”

STEVENS

Coach: CJ Gosselin (third season).

League: NHIAA Division III.

Last year: Girls finished 15th, boys were 23rd at Division III state meet.

Returners: Seniors — Sam Dalke, Tori Dalke, Devin Genes, Stella Lavertue, Alyssa Paquette, Jai Ribeiro. Juniors — Tyler Christian, Maddie LaVarnway, Maddy Minckler. Sophomores — Bella Bovell, Nevaeh LeBlanc.

Newcomers: Seniors — Nya Boulay, Richelle Girard, Sabrina Hagar, Hailey Knight, Kaden Thyne. Junior — Ja Jongraktanakit. Sophomores — Bryce Berry, Miriah LaFarr, Aiden Pisani. Freshmen — Taylor Bell, Gianna Bovell, Malachi Caple, Addie Derosier, Kieran Heath, Ella Muenzer, Audrina Pelton, Pat Prive, Arianna Thompson, Jharin Valcourt-Garrow.

Outlook: As CJ Gosselin starts his third year as head coach, participation has gone from 13 in his first year to 30 this year.

“I love that track is making a comeback in Claremont,” Gosselin said.

The Cardinal girls return six athletes who qualified for the state meet to mix with the new talent.

“We have a young team this year but a lot of talent overall," Gosselin said. “Once we start getting people in the right places and with leadership from our seniors and returning members I think by midseason, Stevens track will start clicking. We have a lot to look forward to across the board of events. I know the other coaches and the kids are excited and we're going to do our best to get as many qualified for the divisional meet as we can.” 

THETFORD

Coaches: Emily Silver (21st season), Joel Breakstone (15th season).

League: VPA Division III.

Last year: Both boys and girls won Vermont Division III state championship.

Girls’ returners: Seniors — Madelyn Durkee, Abby Egner, Charlotte Remainis, Jada Rich. Juniors — Mary Bosco, Charlize Brown, Annie Hesser, Ceci Luce, Zurael Star, Maddy Thaxton. Sophomores — Maya Dixon, Ava Hayden.

Boys returners: Seniors — Max Leibon, Finn Linehan, Harland Ransom. Juniors — Chase LeFevre, Ben Mattern, Ben Perron. Sophomores — Connor Gaine, Uly Junker, Miguel Kutter-Walker, John Marshall, Liam Murphy, Hardy Payson, Oliver Ransom, Evan Rich, Ramona Spelman, Isaac Yukica.

Girls newcomers: Seniors — Shisi Dai, Addyson Holzer. Sophomores — Ella Harvey, Elie O'Brien, Alicja Perdrizet. Freshmen — Sora Bolles, Mavis Downey, Maddy Richardson, Twyla Weinstein.

Boys’ newcomers: Senior — Luca Trage. Junior — Finn Liland. Sophomores — Hunter Clay, Gabe Limlaw, Brady Sloop. Freshmen — Wendell Durham, Daniel Mann, Elijah Renner, Emmett Terry, David Thaxton, Henry Trage. 

“The team has a great mix of returning athletes and newcomers. Everyone is excited to begin competing,” coach Joel Breakstone said.

WHITE RIVER VALLEY

Coaches: David Mattern (12th season), Nalani Sutton (second season).

League: VPA Division III.

Last year: Girls won the Division IV state meet; boys were sixth. Anita Miller was first in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters. Jillian Barry was first in the long jump and triple jump. Zack Armstrong finished first in the pole vault  

Returnees: Seniors — Claire Allen, Eleanor Prestridge, Grace Collins, Jillian Barry, Zack Armstrong, Colin LaFromboise, Teddy Janczak. Juniors — Amara Calhum-Flowers, Anita Miller, Anna Stratton, Noah Zitterkopf. Sophomores — Hannah Collins, Lillianna Babcock, Madelyn Gibson, Norah Harwood, Hayden Mabey.

Newcomers: Seniors — Amya Roussel, Ella Perreault, Dieter Sieling, Mathias Whitney, Wyatt Jones. Juniors — Jeanette Eriksson, Pauline Mendau, Sadie Kinsley. Sophomores — Kway Antwi. Freshmen — Addison Isham, Anya Young, Cassie Armstrong, Ella LaFromboise, Imari Taylor, Nuala Doyle, Matt Bangerter, Sawyer Morrill-Cornelius, Lincoln Miller.

Outlook: The Wildcats bring back a strong girls’ team from the Division IV state championship that had a lot of athletes either win or finish strong in many events.

“The girls’ team should have a good season ahead of them,” coach David Mattern said. “Captains Jillian Barry and Eleanor Prestridge will be helping the younger athletes in order to build depth in the jumping and throwing events. Anita Miller will also have some teammates join her in the distance events this season.

“The majority of the boys team is new this year, so we'll be looking to have them try out several events early in the season to find what events they can focus on,” Mattern added. “Captains Zack Armstrong and Colin LaFromboise are looking forward to a good season in the jumping events.”

WINDSOR

Coach: Hannah Claire (third season).

Last year: Boys and girls finished third in the state meet. Travis McAllister won the triple jump and Olivia MacLeay the 100-meter hurdles.

League: VPA Division III.

Returners: Seniors — Travis McAllister, Estella Attwood, Logan Worrall, Liam Attwood, Keegan Batchelder, Tydus Percy, Rodger Petermann, Audri Pettirossi, Annabell Vigneault. Juniors — Olivia MacLeay, Anthony Cook, Corey Lockwood, Brody Osgood, Dante Roy, Gwen Ambrose, Meranda Johnson, Rhaiven-Essense Kellogg, Anna Preece, Kiara Wildgoose. Sophomores — William Blake, Tanner Crane, Nick Harrison, Arabella Cowdrey, Brooklyn Currie, Sophia Dufour, Sophia Rockwood, and Makayla Rondeau.

Newcomers:Juniors — Bradley Adams, Brooks Ruderman. Sophomores — Gavin Martin. Freshmen — Marcus Attwood, Kolin Labarre, Eban Margolis, Tylor Saragusa, Ethan Wood, Olivia Martaniuk, Quinn Vivian, Kemari Wildgoose.

Outlook: The Yellowjackets have a combination of accomplished upperclassmen and a promising group of freshmen from the junior high school program.

“We have many returning athletes who have started off the season with rigorous indoor sessions of conditioning, lifting, skills and drills,” coach Hannah Claire said. “As a team we are working to improve agility, stamina and speed. To this end we are looking forward to seeing many of our athletes improve and earn first, second and third place in their events during this coming season. We look forward to a fruitful, strong season.”

WOODSTOCK

Coaches: Paul Bremel (fourth season).

League: VPA Division III

Last year: Boys were first in the SVL-B and  second at the VPA Division III state meet. Girls were fourth in SVL-B and fourth in the state meet. Meridian Bremel was state champion in the discus and the team of Logan Knox, Isabell Cellini, Quinn Stickney and Hannah Lockhart was state champion in the 4-by-400 relay.

Boys' returners: Seniors — Sam Leggett, Zed McNaughton, Aidan Reed, Danny Smith, Logan Sudol. Junior — Maxwell Abrams. Sophomores — Owen Courcey, Finn Farrell, Edwin Lynds, Jack Quicker, James Underwood, Quinn Uva. 

Girls’ returners: Senior — Ariana Winawer-Stein. Juniors — Meridian Bremel, Amelie Fabre, Logan Knox, Tori McNamara, Ella Stainton, Farren Stainton, Quinn Stickney. Sophomores — Laura Audsley, Isabel Cellini, Eryn McGuire, Myra McNaughton, Tua Shaw.

Boys’ newcomers: Juniors — William Obbard, Heikke Maverick-Tans. Freshmen — Sam Hauze, Kody Lantiegne, Dexter Namkung, Owen Whalen.

Girls’ newcomers: Seniors — Anne Hauze, Daphne McDermott. Junior — Leah Kuhnert. Freshmen — Annesonia Beardsley, Lucia Carr, Lia Gugliotta, Bethany Thorburn.

Outlook: The Wasps return some key athletes from last year’s teams, giving coach Paul Bremel confidence for good results this spring.

“While both our boys and girls teams are small in number, we have some quality athletes that will make a huge impact on the team,” Bremel said. “I can already see vast improvement from some of our younger athletes from last season and we have some strong newcomers that will make an immediate impact.  More than anything, I appreciate how much these athletes care about each other and care about improving.”

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