Avery Gilbert Crushes Vermont Hurdles Record; Champlain Valley Union Girls, Essex Boys Win Division 1 Team Titles

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Mount Mansfield Union senior Avery Gilbert left a big imprint on hurdling in Vermont and in his final state meet he smashed his own all-time state record in the 110 hurdles with a time of 13.74. He is the first Vermonter to go under 14 seconds in the race and he's done it twice. He also won the 300 hurdles (39.24) after placing second in that event last year. 

The Champlain Valley Union girls used its bread and butter — the distance events — to run away with the Division 1 Vermont outdoor track and field star title on Saturday at Burlington High.

Led by senior Alice Kredell’s victories in the 1,500 (4:41.19) and 3,000 (10:30.22), CVU swept the first four spots in the 1,500 and top two in the 3,000. 

Essex swept the throws with senior Tess Adams winning the shot put (39-11.25) and discus (126-2). Teammate Sara Sinkewicz won the javelin with a throw of 105-9. 

The Essex boys dominated the Division 1 field, putting up 137 points to win the state championship. Junior Thomas Meek swept the 100 (11.03) and 200 (22.31) and ran on the winning 4x100 relay (43.68).

In the field, Essex received points from senior Alexander Johnson, who won the shot put (54-2) and discus (160-11). 

D2

Winning at the state level has become second nature for the U-32 track and field program. Friday at Burlington's D.G. Weaver Athletic Complex, the U-32 boys scored 167 points to win their 10th state championship since 2013, while the girls team cruised to a fifth straight title.

U-32 junior Cavan Farrell swept the hurdles titles, winning the 110 (16.08) and 300 (42.48) and ran on a meet record 4x100 relay (43.86). The team also won the 4x400 and 4x800 titles. 

On the girls side, U-32 had an all around effort, scoring in nearly every event. Ginger Long won the 800 (2:22.67) and 1,500 (4:51.57) and was part of the winning 4x400 (4:09.86). 

On the track, Middlebury Union senior Jazmyn Haley claimed the 100 (12.69), 200 (26.10), 

D3

The Thetford Academy boys did not skip a beat at the Division 3 Vermont state meet held on Thursday, June 5 at Burlington High. The Panthers rolled to the program’s sixth straight state title with a dominating 164.5 points. The team was paced by senior Uly Junker, who won the 100 dash (11.07), ran on the winning 4x100 relay (44.53), and reset his own state meet record in the long jump (23-10.75).

Teammate Luke Miller set a set meet record in the javelin with a throw of 166 feet.

On the track, Bellows Falls Union's Brandon Keller won his third straight 110 hurdles title (15.41) and won the 300 hurdles (41.82). 

In girls Division 3 action, the battle for the team championship was much closer. Peoples Academy finished with 104 points to beat out Bellows Falls Union (99 points). 

Junior Sophie Beck guided the team with victories in the 300 hurdles (48.51), was second in the high jump (4-9.75) and ran on the winning 4x400 relay (4:17.84). 

On the track, White River Valley junior Cassandra Armstrong won the 100 (13.18), 200 (26.86) and ran on the fourth-place 4x400. She also claimed the pole vault title (8-11.50). 

Thetford Academy senior Ava Hayden won the 800 (2:22.98) and 1,500 (4:58.49) for the third consecutive year. She also finished third in the 3,000.

Team Champions

Division 1: Essex boys 137 points, Champlain Valley Union girls 91 points - RESULTS

Division 2: U-32 boys 171 points, U-32 girls 150 points - RESULTS

Division 3: Thetford Academy) 164.50 points, Peoples Academy girls 104 points - RESULTS