The top returning Vermont high school track and field athletes? Here's our 2024 watchlist.
After scanning early season results on athletic.net, below is a rundown of many of Vermont's top returning high school track and field athletes.
The track and field season ramps up next month, with the long-running Burlington Invitational slated for May 11 at D.G. Weaver Athletic Complex, and the Essex Invitational, the state's New England qualifying meet, set for May 25.
The state meet schedule is as follows:
Division I: Saturday, June 1 at Burlington High School (D.G. Weaver Athletic Complex)
Division II: Friday, May 31 at Burlington High School
Division III: Thursday, May 30 at Fair Haven Union High School
Division IV: Thursday, May 30 at Manchester
Already published: Watch lists for boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, softball and baseball.
Upcoming: Watch lists for tennis and Ultimate.
Enjoy!
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES TO WATCH
(Note: Players listed in alphabetical order. Any leading performances mentioned are as of April 24.)
Tess Adams, Essex High School
The junior and indoor D-I state champion in shot put and weight throw owns the state's top efforts this spring in shot put (37-5.25) and discus (130-8.5)
Madison Beaudoin, U-32 High School
Last year's D-II state champion in the 800 meters is in the top 10 in three events this spring, topped by the junior's 4:52.30 in the 1,500 (second-best time to date).
Finley Barker, Mount Mansfield Union High School
The multi-sport standout captured the 800 at last year's BHS Invitational. This spring, she's posted a pair of top-five performances in the 200 (27.30) and 400 (1:01.43).
Alexandra Bourdeau, Missisquoi Union High School
The senior seized first place in javelin at last year's D-II state meet. Her top throw this spring of 92-9.75 is ranked fifth.
Sabine Brueck, North Country Union High School
The Free Press' reigning girls athlete of the year collected a trio of individual crowns at last year's D-I state meet. This spring, she's ranked in the top 10 statewide in seven events, topped by the top overall performance in the 300 hurdles (47.07).
Elizabeth Cunningham, Rice Memorial High School
The junior owns the state's fastest time in the 1,500 (4:49.34) and third in the 3,000 (10:42.77). Cunningham is the reigning D-II champion in the middle-distance event.
Erin Geisler, Rutland High School
The junior has recorded the state's top time in the 3,000 at 10:28.23.
Brinlee Gilfillan, Colchester High School
The sophomore speedster has the state's No. 1 times in the 100 (12.55) and 200 (26.08). Last spring, she swept the 100-200 at the D-I state meet and reset the 200 state mark (24.89).
Vivian Halladay, Burlington High School
The senior has a pair of top-six performances in shot put and javelin, the latter with a throw of 34-1.
Ava Hayden, Thetford Academy
The junior is coming off a trio of individual state titles (800, 1,500, 3000) at last year's D-III state meet. This spring, her performances in the 800 (2:27.10) and 1,500 (4:52.37) are ranked third; and her 3,000 (11:02.93) fifth in the state.
Jazmyn Hurley, Middlebury Union High School
The junior raced to state titles in the 200 and 400 at last year's D-II championships. This spring, her 58.95 400 tops all runners, and a 26.60 200 ranks her second.
Ada Jorshick, Essex High School
The junior, who finished third overall in last year's decathlon championships, ranks second this spring in the 100 hurdles (16.00) and pole vault (8-6.25).
Alice Kredell, Champlain Valley Union High School
The 2023 Gatorade Vermont cross-country runner of the year posted a 10:34.63 3,000, which ranks second to date this spring. Her 4:53.73 1,500 is fourth.
Abigail Kopeck, Burr and Burton Academy
The senior went undefeated against Vermont competition in pole vault last spring, capped by her D-II victory at states. This spring, her 8-6.75 leads the pole vault field.
Estella Laird, Champlain Valley Union High School
The junior has a fourth-ranked performance in the 800 (2:27.55) and a fifth in the 1,500 (4:54.06).
Kaitlyn Lumbra, BFA-St. Albans
The sophomore has the state's fastest time in the 800 at 2:26.44. She's also ranked ninth in the 1,500 (4:59.05).
Anita Miller, White River Valley School
The senior has recorded two top-six performances on the track oval, highlighted by the No. 2 time in the 800 (2:27.08).
Isabel Moustakas, U-32 High School
The senior is in the top six in five events, including first in the 100 hurdles (15.72) and second in the 100 (12.99). Last spring, she won the 300 hurdles and high jump at the D-II state meet.
Mia Pasco, U-32 High School
The soccer standout is listed in the top 10 in four events, topped by a tie for third in pole vault (8-6). The junior is the reigning 100 hurdles state champion in D-II.
Ella Palisano, Mount Anthony Union High School
The sophomore owns the top performances in long jump (17-8.5) and high jump (5-7) as well as the sixth-fastest time in the 200 (27.39).
Nadia Sylla, Burlington High School
The junior is ranked second in shot put (35-8.25) and discus (92-4.75).
Olivia Thomas, Milton High School
The junior is chasing three-peats in the 100 and long jump at the D-II state meet.
Brooke White, St. Johnsbury Academy
The senior leads all triple jumpers with a 35-2 performance. She's also ranked second in long jump (17-5).
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES TO WATCH
(Note: Players listed in alphabetical order. Any leading performances mentioned are as of April 24.)
Demunga Alfani, Colchester High School
The junior and soccer standout has the state's third-fastest time in the 100 (11.40). He also won the indoor 55 dash (6.59) at D-I states.
Jack Cady, Brattleboro Union High School
The junior tops all 400 performances this spring with a 51.53 effort at a home meet.
Raf Campanile, Mount Mansfield Union High School
The junior ranks first in pole vault (14-0) and third in long jump (20-9.25). Campanile is also the two-time reigning D-I state champion in pole vault.
Ahmed Diawara, Burlington High School
The junior and football standout has the state's second-fastest times in the 100 (11.18) and 400 (51.91). This past indoor season, Diawara won the 300 (35.49) at the D-I state meet.
Carson Eames, St. Johnsbury Academy
The senior is ranked first in the 3,000 (9:17.57).
Avery Gilbert, Mount Mansfield Union High School
The junior has four top-four performances including state-leading efforts in the 110 (15.30) and 300 hurdles (39.96). Both hurdle times this spring are PRs for Gilbert.
Cyrus Hansen, U-32 High School
The reigning D-II state champion in the 3,000 currently ranks fourth this spring in the 1,500 (4:09.36).
Porter Hurteau, BFA-St. Albans
The senior sits first in the 1,500 (4:04.65) and third in the 800 (2:02.91). Hurteau broke the 4-minute barrier in the 1,500 in 2023 (3:58.27).
Alexander Johnson, Essex High School
The junior ranks second in shot put (57-5.75) and fourth in discus (140-10.25). Johnson won weight throw at D-I indoor states this past winter.
Ulysses Junker-Boyce, Thetford Academy
The junior has been busy this spring, posting state-leading performances in the 100 (10.95), 200 (22.90) and long jump (22-5.75). His 100 time reset the D-III state record.
Dan Knight, Champlain Valley Union High School
The senior is tops in the 800 (2:01.77) and third in the 1,500 (4:09.91).
Max Lesny, Essex High School
The junior is ranked in the top five in three events: Fourth in the 110 (15.97) and 300 hurdles (42.81) and fifth in pole vault (10-10).
Ayodele Lowe, Hartford High School
The junior is first in high jump (6-4) and second in long jump (21-0.75). Lowe is the reigning D-II state champion in long jump.
Aidan Lybarger, South Burlington High School
The senior ranks third in both discus (145-0.5) and shot put (49-9.25).
Luke Miller, Thetford Academy
The junior has the longest javelin thrower this season to date at 158-10. He's also tied for sixth in pole vault (10-6).
Kelton Poirier, Essex High School
The reigning New England champion in the 800 (1:52.92) has the fourth-fastest time this spring in the 400 (52.57). Poirier is headed to Tennessee in the fall to continue his track career.
Evan Rich, Thetford Academy
The junior owns the state's top performance in triple jump (42-1.5), and is ranked in the top six in three other field events.
Avery Rogers, Champlain Valley Union High School
The junior broke 12 seconds (11.93) in snowy conditions at Wednesday's Essex Invitational. He's the reigning D-I champion in long jump (22-2.5).
Ed Sayers, U-32 High School
The senior ranks second in discus (159-5.5) and fourth in shot put (48-5).
Winslow Sightler, Burlington High School
The senior broke the indoor shot put state record (60-3.75) this past winter and is the reigning outdoor D-I champion in shot and discus. This spring, he's ranked No. 1 in shot (58-4.5) and discus (170-1.25).
Wilder Thomas, St. Johnsbury Academy
The junior ranks second in the 110 hurdles (15.37) and third in the 300 hurdles (42.15).
Andrew Thornton-Sherman, St. Johnsbury Academy
The junior broke Poirier's state record in the 800 (1:51.84) last spring and is also part of D-I state marks for SJA in the 4x400 and 4x800 relays. This season, he sits second in the 300 hurdles (40.21) and fifth in the 110 hurdles (16.27) and 1,500 (4:09.68).
Avi Yagoda, Burlington High School
The senior owns the state's second-fastest time in the 800 (2:01.92) and 1,500 (4:06.00).
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Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont H.S. track and field athletes to watch during 2024 season
