Mount Mansfield Girls Rise Up To Dethrone St. Johnsbury

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

A year returned to outdoor track and field action brought a crop of new state champions in Vermont. Saturday at the D.G. Weaver Athletic Complex in Burlington, the Mount Mansfield girls scored 111.33 points to dethrone Division I powerhouse St. Johnsbury, seeking a sixth consecutive state title. St. Johnsburg finished in second with 98 points. 

Mount Mansfield, winning the program’s first title since 2004, was led by junior Jada Diamond, who won the 100 (12.81), 200 (26.75) was second in the 300 hurdles (48.21) and ran on the winning 4x100 (50.97).

On the boys side, the St. Johnsbury boys won the program’s first title since 2017, scoring 120.70 points. Two-time defending champion Essex was second with 105 points. Junior Evan Thornton-Sherman led the way, winning the 1,500 (3:58.95) and 3,000 (8:48.14).

Essex was led by Wyatt Lamell, who won the 100 (10.97) 300 hurdles (40.45), claimed the discus title (140-1) and nabbed third in the long jump (21-1.50).

Division II - South Burlington 

While the results are unofficial, there’s no catching U-32. Saturday’s Division II Championships were delayed by weather and a “hotly disputed officiating issue in javelin” according to the timesargus.com. After 17 events, both the U-32 girls and boys were up big. The U-32 girls led with 107 points, while second place Burr & Burton Academy totaled 68 points. 

Senior Lana Page won the 100 hurdles (17.26) and 300 hurdles (48.96) to lead the way for U-32. Teammate May Lamb claimed the 1,500 (4:56.21), finished third in the 800 (2:24.89), fifth in the 3,000 and was part of the winning 4x400 (4:23.16).

The U-32 boys also had an insurmountable lead with 123 points. Bellows Falls was second with 83 points. Most of the damage came in the distance events, as U-32 swept the top 4 spots in the 800 and 1,500 to score an impressive 56 points. In the 3,000, U-32 claimed four of the top five spots to add 24 points.  

Division IV - Knapp Field in Manchester, June 4

Perry Macalyste of West Rutland had himself a day on Friday at the Division IV meet, as he set a divisional state record in the 110 hurdles, clocking 16.12. He also won the 300 hurdles in a time of 44.19 and added golds in the 100 (11.69) and 200 (24.19).

The White River Valley boys claimed the state title with 90 points. 

The Northfield girls scored 124.50 points to win the team title, denying White River Valley a program sweep. White River Valley finished second with 116 points.

Northfield won the 4x800 (11:47.37), 4x100 (58.17) and 4x400 (4:41.99).

In the distance events, Craftsbury senior Camille Bolduc claimed the 800 (2:35.42), 1,500 (4:56.76) and 3,000 (11:18.06).

Team Champions

Division I: St. Johnsbury boys 120.70 points; Mount Mansfield girls 111.33 points

Division II: U-32 boys 123 points; U-32  girls 107 points (after 17 events)

Division IV: White River Valley boys 90 points; Northfield girls 124.50 points