Panthers surprise on their home course

Thetford's Alicja Perdrizet is cheered on by Thetford boys cross country team members Wendell Durham, left, and Hardy Payson during the VPA Division III state championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Thetford, Vt. Thetford's girls team finished second overall. (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck)

Thetford's Alicja Perdrizet is cheered on by Thetford boys cross country team members Wendell Durham, left, and Hardy Payson during the VPA Division III state championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Thetford, Vt. Thetford's girls team finished second overall. (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck) valley news photographs — Jennifer Hauck

After a hug, Hartford's Bennett Moreno talks with his father Jeff Moreno at the end of his race on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Thetford, Vt. Moreno placed fourth in his race with his team finishing sixth in the VPA Division II state championship. (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck)

After a hug, Hartford's Bennett Moreno talks with his father Jeff Moreno at the end of his race on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Thetford, Vt. Moreno placed fourth in his race with his team finishing sixth in the VPA Division II state championship. (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck) Jennifer Hauck

Thetford's Paul Hesser makes his way along the trail during the VPA Division III state championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Thetford, Vt. Thetford's boys team finished third overall.  (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck)

Thetford's Paul Hesser makes his way along the trail during the VPA Division III state championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Thetford, Vt. Thetford's boys team finished third overall. (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck) valley news photographs — Jennifer Hauck

Woodstock's Pippa Shaw checks her time during her race in the VPA Division II state championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 in Thetford, Vt. Woodstock's girls team finished sixth in the final.  (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck)

Woodstock's Pippa Shaw checks her time during her race in the VPA Division II state championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 in Thetford, Vt. Woodstock's girls team finished sixth in the final. (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck)

Hartford's Scarlett Brooks and her teammates Lyla Metheny, Aria Smith, Maddie Carbino, Kira White, Sylvia Johnson and Geneva Durgin gather before the start of their race at the VPA Division II state championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Thetford, Vt. The team placed eighth overall in the race. (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck)

Hartford's Scarlett Brooks and her teammates Lyla Metheny, Aria Smith, Maddie Carbino, Kira White, Sylvia Johnson and Geneva Durgin gather before the start of their race at the VPA Division II state championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Thetford, Vt. The team placed eighth overall in the race. (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck)

Hartford's Bennett Moreno takes the lead as runners head for the woods during the  VPA Division II state championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Thetford, Vt. Bennett placed fourth in the race with his team coming in sixth overall. (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck)

Hartford's Bennett Moreno takes the lead as runners head for the woods during the VPA Division II state championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Thetford, Vt. Bennett placed fourth in the race with his team coming in sixth overall. (Valley News-Jennifer Hauck) Jennifer Hauck

By PATRICK O’GRADY

Valley News Correspondent

Published: 10-27-2024 7:01 PM

Going into Saturday’s VPA Division III girls cross country state championship, Thetford Academy co-coach Joe Deffner said he thought a fourth-place finish would be a solid day for the Panthers.

But as he watched the race unfold, Deffner began thinking third and then possibly second.

“The girls’ team had a fantastic day,” Deffner said of their runner-up finish behind winner Stowe on the Academy’s Woods Trail. “The girls ran the race like there was no pressure on them and took some risks. They were thrilled to finish second, and coach (Emily) Silver and I were thrilled for them. I’m so proud of this group of girls for coming together in this race.”

Thetford’s Brady Sloop was second in the boys Division III 5K, finishing in 17 minutes, 17 seconds in a field of 80, behind winner Gage Magnuson of BFA-Fairfax (17:12). Thetford was third among 10 teams.

The Hartford boys, with Bennett Moreno fourth (17:23) among 95 runners, were sixth in the VPA Division II championship among 13 teams. The Woodstock girls were sixth of eight teams in Division II with Izzy Cellini finishing 20th (22:58) in a field of 77.

Ava Hayden led the Thetford girls, finishing fourth (21:11) in the field of 65 runners in a race won by Desi Broadley of Bellows Falls in 19:56. White River Valley’s Anya Young was eighth (23:08) and Casey Wiedrick of Oxbow 10th (23:56). Thetford’s Lucia Carr was 11th (24:13), follwed by teammates Ella Harvey in 17th (24:49), Madeline Piecuch in 21st (25:58) and Alicja Perdizet in 25th (26:25).

Deffner said the Thetford boys “had a good day” with five setting personal records, including Sloop who almost set the course record for a Thetford boy and qualified for the New England Championships in two weeks.

Other results for Upper Valley competitors:

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Hartford boys: Hugh Wendling (29th 19:16), Elliott Brooks (32nd 19:34).

Woodstock boys: Nicholas Cellini (31st, 19:34).

Thetford boys: Paul Hesser (23rd, 20:39), Ramona Spelman (24th, 20:50), Hardy Payson (26th, 20:58).

White River Valley girls: Madelyn Gibson (23rd, 26:08).

Boys team scores (Division II): U-32 48, Montpelier 73, Burr & Burton 85, Harwood 114, Middlebury 147, Hartford 176, Lamoille 187, Vergennes 212, Woodstock 248, Spaulding 251.

Boys team scores (Division III): Stowe 52, BFA-Fairfax 53, Thetford 77, Long Trail 133, Lake Region 148, Peoples 162, Otter Valley 167, Richford 173, Randolph 187, Craftsbury 221.

Grls team scores (Division II): U-32, 31, Burr & Burton 44, Middlebury 100, Montpelier 118, Harwood 122, Woodstock 148, Lyndon 169, Hartford 201.

Girls team scores (Division III): Stowe 46, Thetford 61, BFA-Fairfax 81, Rice 92, Peoples 117, Lake Region 124, Bellows Falls 128.

Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.