Category Archives: Sports

CVU Community, Sports, Volume '22, Issue 1, Wellness

What Sports Do CVU Students and Staff Watch?

January 11, 2023 cvcadmin

By Kyle Marvin

A survey was sent out to students and staff at CVU asking questions about what sports they’ve watched, their favorite sports to watch, and why they do or don’t like watching certain sports. It turns out that people’s opinions are pretty split.

Across the world, soccer/football is the most popular sport. But at CVU, unsurprisingly, American football is the most popular. About 77% of people who responded to a survey said they had watched football in the last year. Soccer comes in third with about 48% of people saying that they have watched it in the last year.

About 24% of people that responded said that American football was their favorite sport to watch, and about 12% said soccer was their favorite. These two sports being the two most common favorites also means that they are disliked by many. According to the survey, soccer and football are tied for the third most disliked sports, getting 16% of people saying they dislike watching them. Golf was the most disliked sport with 29% of people disliking it, and baseball with 22%.

Why do people like or dislike these sports, though? A lot of people said that they didn’t enjoy watching sports that are “boring” or “slow-paced”. Those responses explain why people disliked sports like golf or baseball because golf and baseball have many breaks in between actions. This doesn’t however explain why people say they dislike soccer or football. Soccer and football both have breaks in the game, but for the most part are fast-paced.

Many people that responded said that they disliked sports that they hadn’t even watched in the last year. This could be because of memories of watching the sport a long time ago and not remembering it clearly or because of things they hear from other people exaggerating how much they hate a particular sport, which I know I hear a lot.

One respondent brought up that, in their opinion, “the quality of play we are seeing in Major League Baseball is excellent and exciting.” Yet the MLB attendance numbers have decreased from 2019 to 2021. The other major sports leagues in the US, apart from the NFL, have also decreased their attendance numbers from 2019 to 2021.

With all of the results from the survey and the changes in attendance in major sports leagues across the US, it’s easy to see that the popularity of sports changes over time. It would be interesting to see the results of the same survey ten years from now.

Opinion & Review, Sports, Volume '22, Issue 1, World News

A tourist’s view of Qatari culture

January 9, 2023 cvcadmin

By Colin Hallibuton

Recently I got the opportunity to visit Qatar for the World Cup. I was excited to see the games of course, but also to discover Qatar. Like many others, before the World Cup I had barely, if ever, heard of it. But when I got there and looked around, it was a little different to what I expected.

Qatar is an interesting nation culturally, because it has no culture. It feels middle-eastern, borrowing many traditions and ideas from its neighbours, like foods, architecture, sports, but nothing of its own. Only 8% of the 2.3 million people are Qatari, the rest being migrant workers or immigrants bringing their own cultures. The oil money has allowed it to build a shiny, but thin, veneer of cool skyscrapers and stadiums, but lurking close behind are the rows of empty apartment buildings, deserted hotels, and Lebanese restaurants. Qatar has spent the past 12 years rebranding itself and building everything around this tournament, which brought in over 1 million new visitors. The cost of focusing so heavily on what everybody thinks of you is that they forgot to focus on what they actually are. Even the national museum, while it has an impressive exterior, it only has a couple of exhibits about the nomads that used to live on that land, and where they came from.

These images are some of my favorites that capture the essence of Doha.

One of many stray cats hangs around the new cruise ship port, built for these floating hotels used to accommodate the influx of world cup visitors

A shop owner walks through his falconry store, popular in the middle-east and the national sport of Qatar. The store is noticeably empty of customers, and full of stock.

Souq Waqif is the main market in Doha, built to emulate the traditional trading markets of the area. There are some higher end restaurants and craftspeople, although it mostly has lines of fake jewelry stores and cheap sports jerseys for tourists.

A lone camel rider passed our desert tour, riding into the sunset.

The view from the Qatar national museum, built by French architect Jean Nouvel to resemble a ‘desert rose’.

The view going into Ahmad bin Ali stadium before the USA v Wales game.

Opinion & Review, Sports, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Wellness

Get Moving: The Ultimate Guide to Jumpstarting Your Fitness Journey

January 9, 2023 cvcadmin

BY Filip Popa

Getting started at the gym can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to fitness or haven’t worked out in a while. But with the right mindset and approach, you can quickly become comfortable and confident in the gym setting. As a trusted source for information on the gym and working out, I, Filip, am a great resource to turn to. With 2 years of consistent exercise under my belt, I’ve demonstrated a dedication and commitment to fitness. I also have made good progress and learned a lot through my mistakes and advancement, showing practical experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of working out. I’m currently lifting above standards, meaning most of my lifts are 2x my bodyweight in lbs. (Squat and Deadlift), and am actively seeking out information and resources to improve my fitness. As a 17-year-old, I am also relatable to a high schooler audience who may be interested in starting their fitness journey as I am a junior here at CVU.

First and foremost, it’s important to choose a gym that is right for you. This means finding a convenient, affordable facility and offering the equipment and amenities you need to achieve your fitness goals. Take the time to shop around and compare different gym options in your area, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and take tours before making a decision. Some examples of some decent gyms around the area are as follows:

Planet Fitness: This gym chain is known for its low monthly membership fee of around $10, as well as its “judgement-free zone” policy. It offers a variety of cardio and strength training equipment, as well as group fitness classes. https://www.planetfitness.com/

The YMCA (also known as the “Y”): The Y is a non-profit organization that focuses on community wellness. In addition to providing a wide range of fitness equipment and classes, the Y often offers additional services such as swimming pools, basketball courts, and childcare. Membership fees vary by location, usually around ~$39, but tend to be more expensive than Planet Fitness. https://www.gbymca.org/

The Edge Fitness Clubs: This chain of fitness clubs offers a range of membership options, including access to multiple locations, personal training, and small group training. It also has a variety of cardio and strength training equipment, as well as group fitness classes. Membership fees tend to be more expensive than Planet Fitness usually around $14.99 per month for an Edge Red membership to $34.99 per month for an Edge Total membership, but may offer more amenities and options for those looking for a higher-end gym experience. https://edgevt.com/

Ultimately, the best gym for you will depend on your individual fitness goals, budget, and preferred amenities. It’s important to do your research and consider all of your options before making a decision.

Once you’ve chosen a gym, it’s time to get started. The best way to begin is by setting specific, achievable goals for yourself. These might include losing weight, building muscle, improving your overall health, or simply feeling more energetic and confident. Write down your goals and refer to them often to keep yourself motivated and on track.

Next, create a workout plan tailored to your goals and fitness level. A great workout to start with is a full-body circuit training routine. This can be done using a combination of free weights, machines, and bodyweight exercises, and can be easily modified to suit your individual needs and abilities.

For example, a full-body circuit training workout might include the following exercises:

Bodyweight squats
Push-ups
Lunges
Bench press
Bent-over rows
Planks
Bicep curls
Tricep dips

Perform each exercise for 45-60 seconds, with minimal rest in between. Complete the entire circuit 2-3 times, depending on your fitness level. This workout can be done 2-3 times per week, with at least one day of rest in between. According to Healthline, as you become more fit, you can increase the number of sets and add more challenging exercises to the circuit.

Incorporating cardio into your fitness routine is an important way to improve your cardiovascular health, boost your energy levels, and support overall health and well-being. There are many different types of cardio exercises to choose from, including running, cycling, swimming, and dancing.

When doing cardio, it’s important to find activities that you enjoy and that you can sustain for an extended period of time. It’s generally recommended to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity cardio, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This can be broken up into shorter sessions throughout the week.

To get the most out of your cardio workouts, it’s important to warm up before you start exercising and to cool down afterwards. This can help reduce the risk of injury and make your workouts more comfortable. It’s also important to stay hydrated and to listen to your body, taking breaks as needed.

As you become more fit, you can increase the intensity or duration of your cardio workouts to continue challenging your body and improving your fitness. It’s also a good idea to mix up your cardio routine by trying different activities to keep things interesting and prevent boredom. With a consistent cardio routine, you can enjoy the many benefits of this important type of exercise.

First, it’s important to make sure you are getting enough protein to support muscle growth and repair. Protein requirements may be higher for those engaging in strength training or other forms of resistance exercise, as these activities can cause microtears in muscle fibers that need to be repaired in order for muscles to grow stronger. Good sources of protein include lean meats, dairy products, eggs, beans, lentils, and nuts.

Carbohydrates are also an important part of a healthy diet for active individuals. Carbohydrates provide the body with energy that it can use during exercise, and they are particularly important for endurance activities like cardio. However, the amount of carbohydrates needed may vary depending on the type and intensity of exercise being performed. It may be helpful to experiment with different carbohydrate intake levels to see what works best for your individual needs.

In addition to protein and carbohydrates, it’s also important to consume a variety of other nutrients, including fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and fiber. These nutrients can help support overall health and well-being, and they can also help you feel more energized and ready to tackle your workouts.

Finally, don’t be discouraged if you don’t see instant results. Getting in shape takes time and effort, and everyone’s journey is different. Be patient, stay consistent, and trust in the process. With dedication and perseverance, you will start to see and feel the benefits of your hard work.

The length of time it takes to see results from your fitness efforts can vary depending on a number of factors, including your starting fitness level, the type and intensity of the workouts you are doing, and your diet and lifestyle habits.

In general, you may start to see some early improvements in your fitness within a few weeks of starting a consistent exercise program. These may include improvements in your endurance, strength, and flexibility. However, more noticeable changes in your appearance, such as weight loss or muscle gain, may take longer to appear.

As you continue to work out consistently, you may start to plateau, meaning that you stop making progress or see fewer improvements. This is a common occurrence and can be caused by a variety of factors, including not enough variation in your workouts or not increasing the intensity of your workouts as you become more fit.

To avoid plateaus and continue making progress, it’s important to mix up your workouts and try new activities, gradually increase the intensity of your workouts, and make sure you are fueling your body with the nutrients it needs to support your fitness efforts. It’s also important to be patient and trust in the process, as getting in shape takes time and consistent effort. With dedication and perseverance, you will start to see and feel the benefits of your hard work.

Ultimately, getting started at the gym can be intimidating, but with the right mindset and approach, you can quickly become comfortable and confident in the gym setting. Choose the right gym, set specific goals, create a personalized workout plan, pay attention to your diet and lifestyle, and be patient and consistent. With these steps, you will be on your way to achieving your fitness goals and improving your overall health and well-being.

If you’re looking to further progress your fitness knowledge, here are some things you could start looking into:

Progressive Overload: This refers to the concept of gradually increasing the demand on your muscles through weight training, in order to continue making progress and adaptations. In order to continue improving, you will need to progressively increase the weight, reps, or sets of your workouts over time.

Nutrition: Proper nutrition is essential for optimizing your training and recovery, and for supporting overall health. It’s important to pay attention to the quality and quantity of the food you eat, as well as to consider your individual needs and goals. You may want to consider seeking the guidance of a registered dietitian or a certified sports nutritionist if you are looking to take your nutrition to the next level.

Recovery: In addition to proper nutrition, adequate rest and recovery are also important for optimizing your training and performance. This can include getting enough sleep, using proper warm-up and cool-down techniques, and using active recovery or rest days as needed.

Variety: Incorporating a variety of exercises and training modalities can help to prevent boredom and keep you motivated, as well as to target different muscle groups and energy systems. This can include adding in new exercises or workouts, trying different types of equipment, or participating in group fitness classes.

Professional guidance: If you are looking to take your fitness to the next level and are not sure where to start, seeking the guidance of a personal trainer or coach can be helpful. They can assess your current fitness level and help you create a personalized plan to achieve your goals.

CVU Community, CVU Sports, Opinion & Review, Sports, Vermont, Volume '22, Issue 1, Wellness

Is Cheerleading a Sport?

November 16, 2022 cvcadmin

By: Taylor Rock

CVU–What drew me to cheerleading was the unity between peers. At cheerleading, I’m family with the people who surround me. I’m a family with the community that I cheer for and so avidly support. It is a high energy activity for me to engage myself and others in. I have cheered Freshman, Sophomore, and Senior year.

However, even as a Freshman, I was always told by peers, “You’re not an athlete because you don’t play a real sport.” That is why I asked professional coaches to answer the query of: “Is cheerleading a sport?”

Ricky McCullum, our sports and activities director here at CVU, is clear when stating that cheerleading is indeed a sport. He stated “…when people talk about sports, I’m like, that’s definitely a sport. To me it’s similar to football as far as one of the top sports that are team oriented.” Cheerleading is a larger sport than what is simply presented to crowds at rowdy events.

In order for something to be considered a sport, what must it possess? I asked the coaches this same question, and all answers were almost identical. “For me, having a goal, having work ethic, and working towards something I think makes it a sport.” McCullum states.

Rex McCoy, one of our two Esports coaches, says, “I don’t think the physical aspect is as important. I might be biased being the Esports coach, but I think that the kids I see succeeding in my group are taking away the same values that I took away from high school sports.” McCoy is the only coach who did not answer with a physical component in order to classify an activity as a sport.

From my experience, I would define a sport as a cooperative activity working toward a common goal, with some sort of strategy and competitive nature. The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines a sport as, “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment”. Oxford Dictionary defines cheerleading as “a sport involving organized cheering and dancing in support of a sports team.”

Cheerleading consists of two seasons: fall and winter. Fall cheerleading is classically known for being represented at football games, and rallying the crowd. Rahn Fleming, the varsity football coach, is one of the biggest supporters. “The primary function is to evoke energy from the crowd. There’s a lot of vocalization to it, there’s specific gymnastic and dance moves…” Fall movements consist of choreographed cheers, stunts, dancing, and tumbling. During the fall season, we tend to focus mainly on cheers and stunts, while we dabble in dance and tumbling during quarters and halftime performances.

Cleo (Left) Cailie (Center) and Jackie (right) at our CVU vs Hartford home game, 10/8/22

Winter cheerleading is a competitive season. Winter cheer is known for intense dances, stunts, and tumbling. The competitive nature makes cheering extremely time-consuming with back-to-back practices, performances, and tournaments. McCollum states, “Just watching… It’s really impressive. You have to have courage, you have to have coordination. It’s a team sport. Everyone has to be in unison. Especially when you’re doing ones where you’re throwing each other up. Catching. Got to have trust. Because any mistake can be… the last. It’s very dangerous.” It is McCullum’s first year working here at CVU, and he has been extremely supportive of our team.

A needle pose at the CVU vs Hartford game, 10/8/22

Jaden Parker, a member of the boys Varsity Volleyball and track team here at CVU, says that cheerleading is not a sport. He says, “In fall you’re cheering for a team… in winter it’s more competition based with no sports team that you’re cheering for.” I asked why he would not consider cheer a sport, and his response was “I don’t think that something you don’t compete in can be considered a sport. That is why I believe winter cheer is a sport and fall is not. Most sports don’t require another sport to be happening at the same time to be able to participate in it. And I don’t think you can compete against yourself and call that a sport.” I agreed that he has a good point with the differentiation between winter and fall cheerleading. I also agreed with the fact that competing against yourself cannot really be considered a sport. Is there such a thing as a one person sport?

I asked Will Sprigg, a variety sport player and member of our E-Hawks esports team, if cheerleading was a sport. He says, “No, it’s a hobby. You’re not going against teams. Taking two teams and comparing them against each other, there’s no actual interaction between the two teams, and it does not create a sport to compete in. It’s like looking at two videos and comparing them, and calling that a sport.” He defines that sports need real competition between two or more teams, and he does not believe that competition exists within cheerleading.

Coaches have qualified cheerleading as a sport. Some students have disagreed with that definition. The Dictionary definition of sport is debatable based on where you source your definition; however, cheerleading has filled every category given in the definitions to some degree. This includes cooperation, competition, athleticism, and spirit. I believe cheerleading is a sport, and I would consider myself an athlete. If you were in my shoes, would you think the same?

CVU Sports, Sports, Volume 12: Fall '21, Wellness

Podcast: A talk with professionals about the brain and what happens and why when you get a concussion

December 21, 2021 cvcadmin

Podcast: Concussions

Opinion & Review, Sports, Volume 12: Fall '21

What should the Red Sox do this upcoming off-season?

December 21, 2021 cvcadmin

by River Mitchell

The Boston Red Sox, who had a magical ride in 2021, finally saw their season come to an end as they lost by a final score of 5-0 to the Houston Astros in Game 6 of the 2021 ALCS. With the off-season coming up, with some big free agents hitting the market for the Red Sox, this is going to be a big off-season as they look to try to make it even further than last year. In this piece, I am going to go over what the Red Sox should do this off-season from who walks, who they re-sign, and who they snag from other teams.

First thing they should do is let Garrett Richards and Martin Perez walk. Both were brought in one 1 year deals this off-season, to help improve the starting rotation which was abysmal the year before. While their numbers might not look great, they were big parts in getting the Red Sox to the postseason, improving that starting rotation and giving the Red Sox a chance to win each and every game. However, with Tanner Houck expected to have a big breakout year and Chris Sale returning from Tommy John surgery, both are looking to take spots in the rotation. Considering Richards and Perez were both moved to the bullpen to make space for Houck and Sale in the rotation, I don’t see a world where they are starters next season. These moves will probably save them about 15-16 Million dollars.

Another big topic of conversation is whether the Red Sox should bring back the southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez. Eduardo had a bad year this season for the Sox, posting a 4.74 ERA (Earned Run Average), a 1.389 WHIP (Walks + Hits/Innings Pitched), and a 3.32 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) which is really the only stat that was good for him last year. He did have a few good starts in the postseason but the question still remains. He was really good in 2019 for the Red Sox, posting a 3.81 ERA in over 200 innings, but was sidelined in 2020 due to myocarditis which he contracted from having COVID. He also had a dead arm to start off the 2021 season, missing his first start. He provides value in the fact that he is gonna eat some innings in the back of the rotation, and knows what it’s like to win, being a part of the 2018 Red Sox won it all that year. Considering he had a down year that could’ve been affected by his health and a really good FIP, if given a full offseason to recover he could return to old form. If I’m the Red Sox, I would give him a 1 year prove it deal, for no more than 5-7 million. If he is commanding more than that, I would let him walk in free agency to go find a new team. He won’t have any troubles with that, as there will be teams that would love a guy like Eduardo Rodriguez.

In terms of the Red Sox slugger Hunter Renfroe, I think they would be fools not to bring him back. They signed Hunter Renfroe this past offseason to a 1 year deal, worth about 3.1 Million dollars, which he more than lived up to. He had a phenomenal year for the Red Sox, hitting 31 home runs, while driving in 96 runs while posting a .816 OPS (On base % + Slugging %) with a 112 OPS+ and a wRC+ (weighted runs created) at 114. While his overall fielding metrics aren’t great, he has an absolute cannon of an arn, with 16 outfield assists on the season. Overall, this is a guy that drove in runs at a high clip and was very valuable to the Red Sox both with the bat and with his arm. He was a huge reason why they made it as far as they did last season.

Next player we are going to talk about is Red Sox reliever Atam Ottavino, who I would let walk. Adam Ottavino was acquired in a rare trade with the Yankees this past off-season, with the yankees needing the clear payroll and the Red Sox needing a reliever. Adam Ottavino overall put up decent numbers, but definitely struggled a little more during the 2nd half of the season. He finished the year with a 4.21 ERA, a 1.452 WHIP which is very high, and a 3.96 FIP. He did have a very solid FIP and a decent ERA, but was super inconsistent. Sometimes he was lights out, and other times he looked absolutely lost on the mound. I think if he is willing to come back on a 1 year 2-3 million dollar deal, then I would probably bring him back. But, I think he might be commanding more money and in that case I would let him walk to go find a new team.

Next thing I would do is pick up the club option on Christian Vazquez. Vazquez in 2021 was not good offensively, but he does provide value. He led the league in innings caught in 2021 and was also still very good defensively. He did have some big hits for the Red Sox however, including a walk off homer in Game 3 of the 2021 ALDS against the Rays. He showed a lot of promise offensively in 2019 and 2020 however, hitting 23 homers in 2019, and in 2020 posting a .801 OPS and a 115 wRC+. He was on the team for the 2018 WS, he’s always great defensively, and his club option is only 7 million dollars. He could also be a really good mentor for Connor Wong, who made his major league debut last season and is looking to spend more time with the big club than he did last year. He was a piece in the Mookie Betts trade, so the Red Sox definitely see him as a very solid player.

Next up, the Red Sox should re-sign Travis Shaw and Jose Iglesias. Both were released by their teams in the middle of the season, and were brought in to help with the Red Sox depth off the bench and provide quality at bats and give them more options. Both players have played for the Red Sox before in years past, with Shaw playing with the team in 2015 & 16, and Iglesias playing with them from 2011-2013 before getting traded to the Tigers in 2013. Shaw gives the Red Sox depth, as a left handed bat off the bench that can pinch-hit if needed and also someone that can hit homers, which he had a lot of big ones in 2021 for the Red Sox. Iglesias also gives the Red Sox depth, and will probably end up splitting time at 2nd base with Christian Arroyo. He is a great contact hitter, hitting .356 with the club in 23 games and 59 AB’s. Both love playing for the Red Sox, and would not be very expensive to bring back for another year.

Austin Davis and Hansel Robles are both interesting cases. Both were brought in at the trade deadline this season, and were both decent with the club helping out that Red Sox bullpen. Davis was traded to the Red Sox in exchange for Michael Chavis, and Robles traded to the Red Sox for minor league pitcher Alex Scherff. I think that if the price is right, I would bring them both back on 1 year deals. But, I wouldn’t want to pay them much, no more than 1-3 million dollars. But with that being said, there is a lot of good free agent relief pitching on the market. I wouldn’t be mad if either of them came back, but they are both easily replaceable.

Now this might be the biggest talk of the town for the Red Sox this off-season. What happens with JD Martinez and Kyle Schwarber. Kyle Schwarber is a free agent this off-season, and JD Martinez can OPT out of his contract, which for this season is about 19 million dollars. There is a very good chance that JD opts out of his contract, considering that he could probably make more money if he hits free agency. However, JD Martinez really likes playing in Boston so that makes this very interesting. I think that if JD ends up opting out and finds a new team, they should definitely bring Schwarber back. But, if JD opts into his contract, then I have a feeling that Schwarber will be finding a new team. But I have a good feeling that no matter what happens, one of those guys will be suiting up in a Red Sox uniform next season.

Now this brings up why they should sign. The Red Sox are definitely in need of a starting pitcher, and could really use several bullpen arms as well. I think if there is a way that the Red Sox could sign Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer, that would be really good because they are both going to be highly sought after, arguably being the top 2 pitchers on the market this off-season. But, I don’t think that will happen because they will probably be commanding more money than the Red Sox are gonna be willing to pay them. I think 2 options for them that could be very realistic signings at more affordable costs, are Marcus Stroman and Kevin Gausman. Kevin Gausman will probably end up finishing top 5 in CY Young votes in the national league, while Stroman had a really good season posting a 3.02 ERA and a 1.145 WHIP in 179 innings. In terms of relievers, Raisel Iglesias and Kenley Jasen are both really good relievers that could give the Red Sox a lot of really high quality innings, considering they don’t have a closer at the moment. There are also some other good options, like Joe Kelly, Corey Knebel, Ryan Tepera, Kendall Graveman, Mark Melancon, and Aaron Loup.

No matter what happens, the Red Sox are still going to be really good. Next year they are going to be looking to make it even further than they did last year, which is certainly achievable. But, they need to go out and make some moves and some trades if they want to make it as far or even further than they did last year. Because all the other teams are going to be getting better, and look to make a run at the chip as well. This also includes the highly competitive AL East, which had 4 teams with 90 with or more last season.

Opinion & Review, Sports, Volume 12: Fall '21

What are my rankings for the top 10 shortstops?

December 21, 2021 cvcadmin

by River Mitchell

MLB rankings can be one of the most controversial things around sports. Every ranking for every position is always going to be different, which is what makes these conversations so fun and entertaining. But today, I am going to give you my opinion on who I think are the top 10 shortstops in the MLB. So for this ranking I am going to go from 10-1, starting at 10 and working my way down to 1. Let’s get into it.

Also before getting into this, I am going to be using some more advanced statistics in this article to evaluate the rankings and the value of the players, so here are what those mean.

wRC+ → weighted Runs Created plus

DRS → Defensive Runs Saved

OPS → On base % + Slugging %

HM: Trevor Story

Story came up in 2016 just a year after the Rockies had traded franchise player Troy Tulowitzki. Considering that Tulowitzki was the face of the Rockies for so long and was their franchise player, Story filled the gap very well. Story has been one of the best offensive shortstops in baseball for the last several seasons, but last year was a down year for the Rockies slugger. He had a literal bang on average season, posting a 100 wRC+ in 2021. His defense also did decline a bit, but I don’t think that he is this kind of player. He had almost no protection in that lineup besides maybe CJ Cron, and the Rockies were not competitive at any point in the season. I do expect him to leave the Rockies, and that could potentially hurt his offensive numbers playing outside of Coors. That’s why I’m leaving out of the top 10, but I still think he is going to be a very solid player wherever he goes this offseason.

HM: Javier Baez

Javier Baez was one of the most beloved players on the Cubs when he was there, helping his team win a WS and being a very solid player for years to come. However, he has always had a massive flaw in his game which is his plate discipline. However, when he got traded to the Mets his plate discipline improved drastically in the 47 games with the club. He has always been a wizard with the glove and has a lot of power in that bat, so he does provide value. He recently just inked a massive deal with the Detroit Tigers, signing for 6 years, $140,000,000. If he can perform how he did on the Mets this past year for a full season, this could be the steal of the offseason.

Tim Anderson

Tim Anderson has been in the league since 2016, but to start his career was not that good especially with the bat. But since 2019, Tim Anderson has been a really good player for the White Sox. He has had a wRC+ above 120 the last 3 seasons, with him posting a 141 wRC+ in the shortened 2020 season. He also is a guy that consistently has a batting average over .300, and even won the batting title in 2019. He even has improved his defense a little bit, with a 2 DRS in 2020 and a 3 DRS in 2021. Overall Tim Anderson is a very solid player with no really big holes in his game, which puts him at number 10.

Bo Bichette

Bo Bichette got called up in 2019 later on in the year, to at the time a struggling Toronto Blue Jays squad. As soon as Bichette came up to the MLB level, he started absolutely raking at the plate. He has had very similar offensive numbers to Tim Anderson, posting no lower than a 120 wRC+ in any of his 3 seasons. I’d maybe just give a slight edge to him defensively, but both very close. I don’t think you’re necessarily wrong if you put Bichette over Anderson, but I think that Bichette has a higher ceiling than Andeson, so I’ll put him at 9.

Wander Franco

Wander Franco might be one of the greatest prospects that the game has ever seen. Before this year, Wander Franco was ranked as the #1 overall prospect in 2021, and got called up only a few months after the season started. He started off pretty slow, but as the season went on he started to show everyone why he’s the best prospect in baseball. He posted a 127 wRC+, had a .810 OPS, and is very good defensively. He can’t go up any further for me because he’s only played 70 career games, but the sky’s the limit for this guy and will be a stud for a long time to come.

Brandon Crawford

Brandon Crawford has been a stalwart at shortstop for the Giants, coming up with them in 2011. He has been there for 2 World Series, and has always been a really good defensive shortstop. Towards the front part of his career was very good offensively, but the past few years his offense has declined quite a bit. But last year he had a renaissance to his career, posting a .895 OPS and a 139 wRC+. He also had a 6 DRS in 2021, being one of the best shortstops in baseball this season. He is going to be 35 next season so I’m not too sure if he will put up the same numbers, but he definitely deserves to be in the top 10 here at #7.

Francisco Lindor

Francisco Lindor has had a very interesting season. He started off the season not good, having an abysmal first 2 or so months. But since then, his offense has vastly improved, being a really good player for the Mets. The thing with Lindor is that he is nasty defensively and when he was with the Indians was arguably the best offensive shortstop as well. In 2020 in the shortened season he had a 104 wRC+ and in 2021 had a 103 wRC+. Mix that with the fact that he has a career 42 DRS, this makes him the 6th best shortstop in baseball.

Xander Bogaerts

Xander Bogaerts got called up with the Red Sox in 2013, winning the World Series with the team and is currently the longest tenured member of the Red Sox. When he was first called up he struggled a little bit with the bat, but he really turned that around in 2016 and moved forward. Bogaerts might be one of the most well rounded hitters in all of baseball, as he has the unique ability to hit for power and contact at the same time. This is a guy that has 30 homerun power, can hit over .300, drive in 100 RBIs, and consistently hits for an wRC+ in the 130’s. His defense is far from perfect, as it is not very good. But when you hit like Bogaerts does, you are ok with the below average defense because his bat is just that good.

Corey Seager

Corey Seager came up with the Dodgers in 2015, and immediately put the league on notice with a really good run in 27 games that season. Ever since then he has continued to put up really good offensive numbers year in and year out. His average career wRC+ is 132, which is very high. He is a left handed bat that has pop, can hit for a decent average, and has had a lot of postseason success in his career. He is also ok defensively, as he is not elite but won’t cost you really any runs either. He has all the talent in the world, which is why the Rangers gave him a 10 year, $325,000,000 contract.

Trea Turner

Trea Turner might be the most underrated player in baseball. Since coming up with the Nationals he has been a really good hitter, minus his 1st season in 2015. Trea Turner is not only phenomenal defensively, but he might be one of the best offensive shortstops as well. In the shortened season in 2020, he had a 158 wRC+ and a .982 OPS and a 142 wRC+ with a .911 OPS in 2021 split between the Nationals and Dodgers. He has always been good offensively but it wasn’t until just recently that he really took his game to the next level. He can also fly around the bases with 203 career stolen bases. He deserves a lot more credit than he gets, and is the 3rd best shortstop in baseball.

Carlos Correa

Carlos Correa was drafted with the 1st overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft, drafting him with the expectations of being a super star. Well looking back at it now we can certainly confirm that the Astros made a phenomenal pick. Correa has been one of the most polarizing and controversial players for several years now, with the news breaking in 2019 about the Astros cheating scandal, which helped them win the 2017 World Series. However, any controversy around Correa has not been with his play. Whether you like him or don’t like him, he is one of the most talented players in baseball currently. His elite hitting abilities with his really good defense makes him one of the most intimidating players in baseball to pitch to. He’s so incredibly good, but there is 1 player better than him.

Fernando Tatis Jr

If you are a die hard baseball fan like myself, it should be extremely obvious why Fernando Tatis Jr is the best shortstop in baseball. Since he made his MLB debut in 2019, he has been one of the most electrifying and outstanding players in all of the MLB. Tatis is a guy that can hit 40 home runs a year, have an OPS over 1.000, and has had a above 150 wRC+ in all of the seasons he has played. Those numbers are absolutely phenomenal. The only thing to improve for Tatis is that he did make a lot of throwing errors last season, but he was dealing with a not so great shoulder for the entire season. He is without a doubt the best shortstop in baseball, and he is one of the bright young stars of the game. Not to mention his glove is also phenomenal as well.

CVU Community, CVU Sports, Sports, Volume 12: Fall '21, Wellness

Cross country costume race

November 19, 2021 cvcadmin

By Mina Radivojevic

FAIRFAX, VT- From Tree (Oliver King), to Lumberjack (Owen Deale), to Trash (Charli Geravelli)…

…to Tinkerbells (Josie Sayre and Eliza Amsbery)…

…to Mom (Nico Cuneo) and Pregnant Santa (Mario Robinson)…

…to Princess (Evie Schumann) and Winnie the Phoo (Lindley Pickard)…

…to The Lorax duo (Thomas Geravelli and Logan Pickard)…

…to the whole Despicable me crew (Ava Rohrbaugh, Mia Marino and Jameson)…

…and of course, Bananas (Eliza McLean and Matt Lollis)…

All of them raced on October 5th in the Fairfax Costume race, which was more than dazzling. CVU, as always, was very successful. Besides original costumes that won awards for their creativity…

…like The Death Combo (Segoleine Johnson and Annalise Wood)

And The Magic Eight Balls (Phoebe Denniso, Maddie Haydock, Mina Radivojevic, Olivia StPeter, Chloe Stidsen and Anna Van Buren),

CVU also took the top three awards for speed. Third place went for Business Men (Ben Mcauliffe and Greg Seraus, respectively).

Second place went to Accountants (Jack Crum and Kody Guiterman).

And the first place went to the Minions duo (Brandon Milatello and Jameson McEnaney).

Our Natural World, Sports, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Weather, Wellness

What will covid restrictions look like for top VT ski resorts this winter?

November 18, 2021 cvcadmin

By Mazzy Ricklefs

Ski season is right around the corner and many are curious what it will require to be out on the slopes safely this year. How will it compare to last year? According to CVU students and the Burlington Free Press, these are the top resorts in Vermont and some of the requirements needed to enjoy your time.

Sugarbush Resort

Sugarbush is definitely a favorite of many in and out of state skiers. According to the Burlington Free Press, Spokesman John Bleh says Sugarbush plans on not having any restrictions outdoors, but if things drastically change the resort will follow local guidelines. “If the town of Warren decided to reinstate masks, we would as well,” Bleh said. As far as being indoors, masks are recommended and required for unvaccinated staff. Sugarbush’s owner, Alterra Mountain Company, is considering more aggressive measures but hasn’t made any final decisions.

Smuggler’s Notch Resort

Smugg’s will be similar to Sugarbush this year, in the sense that the ski area will be pretty open and flexible. As far as indoors, masks will be required rather than just recommended, even if you are vaccinated. “Now that we’re going into the ski season, it’s an outdoor sport so naturally people are wearing goggles and masks,” Spokeswoman Stephanie Gorin said. “We’re not requiring masks on the lifts, but most people wear them.”

Jay Peak Resort

Jay Peak plans to follow any mandate the State of Vermont issues concerning masking and distancing. Jay Peak will not be limiting the number of tickets sold, according to Toland. Spokesman J.J. Toland states that, “One of the advantages we have up here is that we are so far up here,we don’t see the crowds that some of the southern resorts get and those that do make the trip (to Jay Peak) take comfort in that fact. The short of it, we expect to have a great winter.”

As far as places like Killington Resort and Bolton Valley Resort, they are still deciding what their COVID-19 protocols will be for this year. Last year, Bolton followed all guidance from the State of Vermont, CDC and OSHA so it is assumed that will most likely be the case this year as well.

CVU Community, CVU Sports, Sports, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Weather, Wellness

What’s up with winter sports?

November 18, 2021 cvcadmin

By Asa Roberts

As fall sports come to a close, it’s time to start looking at the upcoming winter season. This year has a plethora of opportunities to get active! From hitting the slopes with the alpine ski team to trying out the all new girls wrestling team, there’s something for everyone!

Cross Country skiing:

Are you looking for a great way to get outside and stay in shape this winter? Take a look at cross country skiing! No experience necessary, skiers of all levels and competitiveness are welcome to join. Nordic skiing practices every day after school at the local ski center Sleepy Hollow (once there’s snow). Sleepy Hollow is a Great place for skiers of all abilities, and passes work all year round for skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and biking. If you enjoy being outside and staying fit, you are in luck. Coach Sara Strack will be heading the CVU team this year once again, and will surely make this season amazing. Cross country skiing had its first meeting last Thursday the 28th. Missed it? No worries! You can learn more about nordic by visiting CVU nordics website here, or by emailing coach Strack.

Alpine skiing:

More into going down the hills? Check out the Alpine ski team. The ski team starts their season before the snow falls with workouts and practices in the mini gym. Ski team is open for new racers, as well as veterans, so no matter what your level of experience, you are sure to fit in. Alpine racing practices at Cochrans during the week, and heads up to Sugarbush on Saturdays for training on the big hill. If you are interested in picking up racing, or have any questions regarding the season, be sure to reach out to assistant coach Lee Morse laxcoach.vt@myfairpoint.net. Alpine skiing starts soon so be sure to check it out!

Indoor track:

If you are interested in staying fit, or preparing for track and field this spring, check out indoor track club. Indoor track is a great option if you are looking for a low commitment sport, or if you are wanting to practice every day. Indoor track practices at parisi on mondays and tuesdays, with plenty of opportunities for carpooling, so don’t let rides deter you. Meets are on Saturdays at the indoor track at UVM, and are optional. Looking for a way to practice field events?Indoor tracks got that too! Both track and most field events are available. If you are interested, or want to learn more, email coach Elise Seraus at cvuindoortrack@gmail.com.

Basketball:

Both boys and girls basketball are back in full swing this year! With the girls season being tragically cut short right before the championship game two years ago, and no fans being allowed at games last year, both teams are more excited than ever to lace up and play. Boys Basketball will once again be having a varsity, JVA, and JVB team this year, and the all star coaching staff will be returning. Coach Osborne, who brought last year’s team to the quarterfinals is returning this year to make another run. CVU’s very own Seth Emerson will be coaching JVA, and Pat Keogh will be the JVB coach. If you are interested in trying out for the basketball team, email Coach Osborne or talk to CVU’s Seth Emerson.

Girls Basketball is excited to be back on the court! The girls will be having three teams as well this year, and will be head coached by Ute Otley once Again. The girls will surely be dominant once again this year, so even if you aren’t a player, be sure to go watch and support. The girls host open gyms during preseason. To learn more, email coach Otley.

Wrestling:

CVU is excited to offer wrestling opportunities for both boys and girls this year! Wrestling is an awesome opportunity to get fit and build self confidence for everyone. Gunnar Olson will be coaching the wrestling team this year, and the team is open to wrestlers of all experiences and abilities, contact coach Olson at olsonsitedesign@myfairpoint.net. Ladies, if you are interested, contact CVU student Cassidy Flemming at 469-773-1889 for more information or any questions. Be sure to check out CVU wrestling’s website here.

Gymnastics:

With floor, beam and bar events, CVU gymnastics has something for everyone. Following an amazing 2020 season where they took home gold, gymnastics had a modified season during 2021, and are looking forward to getting back to normal for the 2021 season. Coach Madison Bordeau is back again to lead the team. Practices are held at Green Mountain Training Center in Williston, and are every day. If you are looking into gymnastics this year, contact Dan Shepardson.

Hockey:

CVU’s hockey teams are starting up soon, so lace up your skates and get out on the ice. The girls once again are teaming up with MMU to form the Cougarhawks. The girls head coach Scott Bushweller will be returning along with his stellar coaching squad, and are officially taking over the program from MMU, but will keep the name Cougarhawks. Boys hockey is looking forward to a great season this year, with head coach J.P. Benoit returning. Both girls and boys hockey hold open ice sessions throughout the year, and the season is starting up soon. Contact Dan Sheperdson for more information.

Sports, US Headlines, Volume 12: Fall '21

MLB free agency is here. Who will sign where?

November 18, 2021 cvcadmin

by River Mitchell

The 2021 MLB season has come to an end, so that means that it’s time for pending free agents to sign new contracts and find new teams. There are a lot of really big free agent names on the market this offseason, a lot of them very likely to change teams and find a new home. So today I’m going to go over who I think is going to go where, and what kind of contract they will probably get.

The first one is probably the biggest free agent we will talk about, and that’s Carlos Correa. Correa has been a premier shortstop in the MLB for the last several years, and one of most well rounded players in the MLB. Really good defensively, good arm, can run a little bit, and is a beast at the plate. He is always going to have the 2017 Astros cheating scandal over his head, but there is no doubt that this guy is one of the top players in the MLB. He finished the year with 25 homers, 96 RBI’s, and a 134 wRC+ and a .851 OPS. With all this being said, I think the Astros will let go of Correa. He was given a qualifying offer which I can’t imagine he accepts, and he was also recently given a contract offer from the Astros. 5 years, 160 million dollars. I don’t believe he is going to accept that either, because he wants a long term deal, somewhere between 8-10 years. He is only 27, and is in the prime of his career right now. I think when it’s all said and done, he will go to the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers have AJ Hinch at the helm, who is his former manager and was the manager for the 2017 world series when they won it all. They have a young and up and coming team, surprising a lot of people last season playing better than expected. They are going to have a really good rotation in Casey Mize, Tarik Scubal, Matt Manning, and Spencer Turnbull. They also have Spencer Torkelson who should come up, and potentially Riley Greene as well. I think that if Detroit offers him a 8 year 250 million dollar contract, he will more than likely accept.

Next, let’s talk about Corey Seager. Seager has been a really good shortstop for the last several years, especially with the bat. People have always called Seager to be a top 10 shortstop in the MLB, and has been a stalwart for the Dodgers. Last season he did deal with some injuries, but when he was on the field he was really good, with a .915 OPS and a 147 wRC+. However, they did acquire Trea Turner at the trade deadline while Seager was injured. That put the writing of the wall for him to be gone this offseason. I think that he will end up going to the New York Yankees. They have a need at the shortstop position that they need to fill, and Seager would be the perfect guy to fill that position. His swing would work perfectly for Yankee stadium, and is a good quality left handed bat that provides a lot of value. His defense isn’t great, but it doesn’t matter as much when you hit as good as Corey Seager. I think that they will probably give him a 3 year deal, worth about 75 million dollars over the 3 years. The Yankees do have Anthony Volpe in the minors, who should be up in a few years. They just need a guy that can be a bridge shortstop for a few years before Volpe comes up.

Another shortstop that will be finding a new home in 2022 is Trevor Story. Story got called up to the majors in 2016 with the Colorado Rockies, and immediately had a huge impact. Since Story has been in the league throughout his career, he has been one of best offensive shortstops in baseball, while having a very good glove. He wasn’t great in 2017 and had a down year in 2021, but it was still an above average season with a bang on 100 wRC+ and 24 homers. He also had an .800 OPS and 103 OPS+. He will not be returning to the Rockies next season, due to the simple fact that the Rockies are quite bad. He wants to play with a competitive team, which the Rockies aren’t. I could definitely see him going to the St Louis Cardinals. Paul Dejong is nothing more than a bench player, and Edmundo Sosa isn’t the long term answer. Story would be able to reunite with old teammate Nolan Arenado, and would have more protection around him in the lineup. I could see the Cardinals giving him a 3 or 4 year deal, worth about 20-25 million per year. I think it would be a perfect fit for him in St Louis, and he still is a very good player, just had a down year last year.

Next up is another shortstop, this one being Javier Baez. Javier Baez is a very interesting player. He strikes out a lot, recording a whopping 184 strikeouts in 2021. But, he did hit 31 homers and finished the year with a .813 OPS and a 116 wRC+. He is a wizard defensively however, being one of the best overall defensive players in baseball. Baez was traded to the Mets at the trade deadline, and actually ended up playing a lot better with the Mets than he did with the Cubs. He cut way down on the strikeouts, started walking more, had an insanely high on base which he did not give while on the cubs. Overall he is a borderline top 10 shortstop, and does provide value. He isn’t a bad player by any means, but I wouldn’t give him the same money as Correa, Seager, and maybe even Story. I think he will probably go back to the Mets, on a 2 year deal for maybe 30-40 million dollars over those 2 years. They do already have Lindor at short, but Baez could fit in very nicely at 2nd base, which he did once getting traded to the Mets.

Nex player we will talk about is not a shortstop, but a first baseman. Freddie Freeman, who has been one of the best offensive and defensive first baseman for this past decade, is now a free agent. Freeman since 2011 has always been a guy that can hit homers, drive in runs, and doesn’t strikeout much while walking at a decent clip. This past season he had a really good year, hitting 32 homers and driving in 120 RBI’s. He also had a wRC+ at 135 and a .896 OPS. I think that the chances of him returning to the Braves are very high, as he has been a stalwart at first base for the past decade for the Braves with no signs of slowing down. If for some crazy reason he doesn’t return to the Braves, I could see the Yankees being a landing spot for him. His swing would work really well in Yankee Stadium, and he would definitely be an upgrade over Voit or Rizzo. Neither of those players are bad by any means, but they aren’t anywhere close to as good as Freeman.

MLB free agency is a crazy time of year. A really busy part of the year where people are looking to find new teams, and MLB executives are making moves to improve their teams. Of course, anything can happen when it comes to players’ new landing spots. But these are my best predictions on what I think will happen. I will be making part 2, so keep your eyes out for that!

CVU Community, Our Natural World, Sports, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Weather, Wellness

Ski Mountains around VT: Where are YOU skiing this year?

November 18, 2021 cvcadmin

By- Mia Kenney

Looking for a place to ski and snowboard? Vermont has a lot of mountains to choose from. Here is a list of 5 more popular ski resorts and some facts about each, including cost, how many lifts, kinds of lifts, and some of the things that draw people to these mountains. Hopefully this helps you and your family decide where you might want to go skiing or snowboarding this season!

Cochran’s

https://skimap.org/data/207/66/1453225164.jpg

Cochran’s is a non-profit organization. That is one of the reasons people are so drawn to it even though it is a small mountain with only 1 t-bar, a rope tow and a “mighty-mite” A season pass there is about $206.70. Cochran’s has about 8 trails with all different levels. Cochran’s is not a resort so there is no staying there but they do have a lodge where you can take breaks and warm up. Cochran’s is all about family so they love doing things like Friday night dinners, not I’m not sure if they are doing it this year because of Covid, but this is something that they have been doing for years.

Smugglers’ Notch

https://www.smuggs.com/pages/winter/skiride/trail-map.php

A season pass at Smuggs is about $419. Something that draws people to Smuggs is that they technically have 3 mountains. Smuggs also has the fun zone which is an indoor play area with bouncy houses and games. Smuggs is a resort, so they have condos that people can rent. There are 8 chair lifts with about 78 trails. Their hours are different for different lifts, most lifts open at 9am but some open at 8:30.

Jay Peak

https://jaypeakresort.com/skiing-riding/snow-report-maps/trail-map

A season pass at Jay Peak is about $669. Their hours are 9am till 4pm. Opening day is estimated to be November 24th. Something that draws people there is that the Jay Peak water park along with the hotel is at the bottom of the ski mountain, so people can finish skiing and go to the water park. There are 9 chair lifts and about 78 trails. The trails are all different, some with moguls, some glades, and some groomed. They also have a variety of trail levels, for example they have easier trails for less advanced skiers and they have harder trails for people that are more advanced.

Bolton Valley

https://www.boltonvalley.com/winter/trail-maps-snow-reports/trail-maps/

A season pass for one adult at Bolton is about $846.94. Bolton has both Backcountry skiing and Nordic skiing, and they also are very accepting of snowboarders. Bolton currently has six lifts and 64 trails that can be accessed by the lifts. Bolton does have a ski lodge; it is a little on the smaller side and because of covid, you can’t be in the lodge for very long… but at least there is a lodge! Bolton is also a resort, so they have a hotel which draws a lot of people there. Bolton’s lifts are chair lifts so they are easy to get on and off of and they are accessible to everyone. Bolton’s hours are 9am till 10pm. Opening day is November 26th.

Stowe

https://www.stowe.com/-/media/stowe/files/maps/stowe_winter2122_map.ashx

A season pass at Stowe is about $1024.00 but they do have sales, so they can be a little cheaper. It also depends on when you want to buy them; if you buy them super in advance they will be cheaper than if you buy them in November or even October. Stowe is also a resort, so they have hotels you can stay in. Stowe has 12 lifts and 116 trails. Their opening day is November 19th. Their hours are 8am till 4pm. Stowe also has both chair lifts and they have gondolas.

Sports, US Headlines, Volume 12: Fall '21

NFL Week 7 Recap

October 28, 2021 cvcadmin

By River Mitchell

The Broncos played the Browns in Cleveland on Thursday, October 21st, 2021. The Browns came up with a big win, winning by a final score of 17-14. Case Keenum got the start in this game with Baker Mayfield being sidelined due to a MCL sprain in his left shoulder. Keenum had himself a very nice game going 21/33 with 199 yards and a touchdown. Considering that Keenum has been a backup for a lot of his career and he was going up against a great Broncos defense, I’m sure Cleveland fans are very happy with the performance.

The Tennessee Titans absolutely walloped the chiefs On Sunday, October 24th, winning by a final score of 27-3. Ryan Tannehill had a very good game going 21/27 with 270 yards, a TD, and a pick. After going out in the first round of the playoffs last season, the Titans look really good and look to make it further than they did last year. Patrick Mahomes did not have the best of days, going 20/35 for 206 yards, no TD’s, and a pick. Considering the Chiefs won SB 54 and made it to the SB last season, it might be time to hit the panic button as they are sitting at 3-4, and tied for 3rd in the AFC West.

The Packers, who have been red hot this season winning their last 6 in a row, beat the Washington Football Team 24-10 on Sunday, October 24th. Aaron Rodgers, who has been money for the Packers, went 27/35 for 274 yards, 3 TD’s, and 0 picks. With the Packers trying to make it to the SB after losing in the NFC championship game for the last 2 seasons, they are proving to the entire country why they are still one of the elite teams in the NFC.

The Bengals, who have been a huge surprise team this season, get a surprise win against the Baltimore Ravens, winning 41-17 on Sunday, October 24th. Joe Burrow had a monster game, going 23/38 with a whopping 416 yards, 3 TDs, and a pick. While a lot of credit for that win goes to Joe Burrow, you got to give some credit to Rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who is also the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Chase went for 201 receiving yards on 8 receptions, also breaking out a 82 yards touchdown pass from Joe Burrow. While I still have faith in the Ravens and they are still a very good team, this was a brutal loss for them.

The struggling Giants hosted the Carolina Panthers on Sunday and beat them convincingly, winning by a score of 25-3 on Sunday, October 24th. The Giants defense really carried most of the load, by allowing an opening drive field goal and then nothing after that. Daniel Jones wasn’t spectacular but was good enough, going 23/33 or 203 yards and a TD, with an unbelievable 1 handed helmet catch thrown by Dante Pettis.

The Falcons beat the dolphins in a thriller in Miami on Sunday, October 24th, beating them by a final score of 30-28. Matt Ryan had a really good game for Atlanta, going 25/40 for 336 yards, 2 TDs, and a pick. This game wasn’t put on ice until the final seconds, when the Atlanta kicker Younghoe Koo hit a game winning field goal, with 3 seconds left in regulation. With the Dolphins coming into the season with their sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and high expectations, they sit at a measly 1-6.

The Patriots absolutely romped the New York Jets on Sunday, October 24, winning by a final score of 54-13. Mac Jones had by far the best start of his career, going 24/36 for 307 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 picks. That was a big win for the Patriots with all the struggles they have had this season, and the Jets continue to fall to the basement of the NFL once again. But that’s not the biggest headline to come out of this game. Rookie QB Zach Wilson was injured on a play by the Patriots star outside linebacker Matt Judon. The official diagnosis was a PCL injury, which gave Mike White the opportunity to appear in his first ever NFL game, including his first career touchdown pass to wide receiver Corey Davis. The Jets ended up later trading with the Eagles for veteran QB and SB 47 MVP, Joe Flacco. Flacco played for the Jets last in 2020, getting occasional starts here and there.

The raiders get a big win against the Eagles in Las Vegas, by a score of 33-22 on Sunday, October 24th. Derek Carr had another really good performance, going 31/34 for 323 yards, 2 TDs, and a pick. With the Raiders now at 5-2 and 1st in the AFC West, this has got to feel good after coming up short last season finishing at 8-8.

The Rams got yet another win against the Bears on Sunday, October 24th, beating the 0-7 Lions by a score of 28-19. Matt Stafford went off against his former team, going 28/41 with 334 yards, and 3 TDs with 0 picks. After acquiring Matt Stafford, the Rams have taken their game to a whole new level, while the Lions are struggling out on the field after losing their former franchise quarterback.

The Bucs walloped the Bears in Tampa on Sunday, October 24th, winning 38-3. Tom Brady is still defying the odds at 44 years old, putting up phenomenal stats year after year. This game, he went 20/36 with 211 yards, 4 TDs, and 0 picks. While the defense was nails for the bucs today and has been the last 2 years, Justin Fields has not been good. With another disappointing outing going 22/32 for 184 yards, 0 TD’s and a whopping 3 interceptions. With the Bears sending a lot of draft capital to the Giants for trading up in the 2021 NFL draft to snag Justin Fields, they have to be somewhat concerned about the future of their planned franchise quarterback.

The Cardinals romp the Houston Texans by a final score of 31-5 on Sunday, October 24th. Kyler Murray had another great outing, going 20/28 for 261 yards, 3 TDs, and a pick. With the Texans most weeks struggling to generate any offense and with their defense being absolutely awful, it’s going to be a long season for Houston.

The Colts get a big win against the 49ers on Sunday night football on Sunday, October 24th, winning by a final score of 30-18. With the Colts before this game sitting at 2-4, this was a big win for a team who has been really struggling this year. Carson Wentz was ok, going 17/26 for 150 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 picks. But, Jonathan Taylor was a key factor in this win for the Colts, rushing for 107 yards on 18 carries and a TD. With the 49ers now at 2-4, this looks to be the 2nd straight year not in the playoffs after making it to SB 54.

The Saints got the win on Monday, October 25th, winning in a close matchup, with a score of 13-10. While only making 19 completions on 35 attempts for James Winston, he did manage to throw for 222 yards and a touchdown with 0 picks. Running back Alvin Kamara had a big game through the air, with 10 receptions for 128 yards yards and a TD, while also rushing for 51 yards on 20 carries. With the Seahawks now at 2-5 with Russell Wilson still being sidelined, this could be a challenging year for Seattle.

CVU Community, Sports, Vermont, Volume 12: Fall '21, Wellness

Williston Edge Closed

October 22, 2021 cvcadmin

By: Emma Richling

WILLISTON VT. – The Williston Edge, home to swimmers, athletes, and loyal members of the community, officially closed down on September 30th, 2021. How big of an effect did this have on members of the CVU community? What will change for CVU swimmers and athletes?

Amelia Worth, a senior at CVU who swam for the Williston Edge Swim Team before the closing, shared her thoughts on the transition to a different center. “The Williston Edge has been my second home since I was five years old and I’ve basically been in that pool everyday since then. My drive to swim practice is gonna be longer and that’s going to affect basically the amount of things I can do in a day. I was really lucky that swim practice used to be really close to my house because that meant I could fill up my schedule after school with a lot more things like after school clubs and still be able to make it to swim practice.”

CVU swimmers now have to commute to the South Burlington Edge location for practice making other activities like clubs harder or impossible to attend.

Elizabeth Parent, a 10th grader at CVU and a former staff member at the Williston Edge mentioned, “What I do at the Williston Edge I can do at any center, I’m going to the Essex location now. A lot of other kids go to the Williston Edge and could probably transition to another location pretty easily but most of them won’t because it’s a change”. Although the Essex and South Burlington Edges are only 15-20 minutes away from the former Williston location, the change to a whole new space and building might feel like too much for some people.

All of the programs and services the Williston Edge offered (including Swim Team) were transitioned to one of the other centers in Essex or South Burlington on October 4th, 2021. No information has been released in regards to what the building is going to be used for, all we know is that it was sold to a company that has different plans for its use. As the closing approaches, concerns arise for the change that will come to many members and users of the facility. Worth said, “It’s something I thought was going to be eternal that isn’t anymore”.

CVU Community, CVU Sports, Volume 11: Sp '21

Redhawks Give Insight on Spring Playoffs

June 8, 2021 cvcadmin

By Hailey Chase

HINESBURG, VT– It’s the most wonderful time of the year— playoffs! For varsity players, this is what they’ve been working for all season: a shot at being named state champions. Varsity boys/girls lacrosse, tennis, track, ultimate frisbee, baseball, and softball will all be competing in the tournament—dates TBD.

Baseball (Hunter Whitman):

For the strong CVU baseball team, senior and captain Hunter Whitman weighs in on the upcoming playoff season.

“Our pitching has really set us apart—Ollie Pudvar, Braedon Jones, and Ryan Canty are all strong pitchers for us this year,” The captain also noted that his advice to the team is to take playoffs game-by-game, and to continue doing what they’ve been doing well so far.

“We just need to continue to play good defense and to hit the ball hard. Some game-changers for us this year on the offensive side have been Ryan Eaton, Ryan Canty, and Braedon Jones.” Whitman predicts that by playing “their game,” the CVU baseball team has a good chance at conquering other strong teams such as Rice, Colchester, and Essex.

Softball (Sophia Stevens):

Junior Sophia Stevens plays on the CVU softball team as the starting shortstop. From her last season with CVU her freshman year, her role on the team has been enlarged tenfold. Stevens is the team’s starting shortstop, has scored 7 RBI’s, and bats third in the lineup.

Noting a strength for the softball team, Stevens contributed “One of our biggest strengths this year has been hitting and our offensive effort. Even against really challenging pitchers, we have players who are able to consistently make contact,” which she believes will be a driving factor for the team’s success in playoffs. The junior expressed that Essex is the biggest competition in the tournament, and CVU lost to them (insert score and date)

While the team is successful at the plate, the captain noted that players don’t have finalized positions on the field; “We are still trying to figure out who plays best in each position,” she said, “We’ve struggled to execute defensively and that’s contributed to our lack of confidence. We will do our best to overcome this by moving on, and learning how we can improve in the future.” Stevens’ method going into playoffs is to lead by example, and to keep the team positive.

Boys’ Lacrosse (Shane Gorman):

In 2019, the boys’ lacrosse team won the State Champion title against Burr and Burton, with the help of now-senior and captain Shane Gorman. Gorman has been a force to reckon with this season, and has earned 33 goals and 24 assists in only 12 games.

Gorman stated, “We have the talent and the people to win, it’s just a matter of coming together as a team and performing how we’ve been coached to perform.”

According to Gorman, the teams to beat this year are Essex, Burr and Burton, and Woodstock. In terms of the team’s strengths, the captain said “Chemistry honestly,” as many of the boys have been playing together for years, “Nolan Shea, Colin Zouck, and Owen Pierce are a great group because they have been coached together for so long.”

As a captain, Gorman preaches to the team about coming together as a team, and taking these playoff games one step at a time. “We need to play our best and not become stagnant. In other words, we just need to keep improving,” he added, hoping the team will respond to his guidance.

Girls’ Lacrosse (Petra Kapsalis):

Four-year varsity athlete—now-captain, Petra Kapsalis, leads the girls’ varsity lacrosse team into this year’s playoffs. The senior plays midfield alongside freshman Gretta White, who has been a key player for the team.

In terms of the team’s strengths, Kapsalis mentioned “We have a lot of strong players for each position.” Kapsalis believes the team’s skill depth is what sets them apart from their competition; most players have well-polished skills that benefit the team on the scoreboard.

In the regular season, Kapsalis expressed that her role was “to organize things and support younger players,” but with playoffs on the horizon, she anticipates her role to shift to “make sure everyones really focused and to get everyone hyped up and excited.” The captain touched on how her team’s leaders in the past made playoffs an exciting and ambitious time, and she hopes to replicate a similar atmosphere for her team this year.

The team is 10-4 and according to Kapsalis, their biggest competition are SB, Burr and Burton, and Rutland. The girls lost to Burr and Burton in the second game of the season, Rutland on May 1st, then finally SB on May 11, but only by two points. Kapsalis hopes that her standout players such as Lena Kerest and Madison Peet will help the team not only with skill, but also with experience—especially against these top-ranked teams.

Boys’ Ultimate (Nigel Wormser):

Nigel Wormser is one of the captains on CVU’s ultimate Frisbee boys team. This spring marks the handler’s second season on varsity, as his junior year season was cancelled due to COVID.

Weighing in on preparing his teammates for playoffs, Wormser stated “Ultimate is a real sport that requires a lot of focus.” Wormser hopes to refine team skills in the end zone, as one of their struggles this season has been execution when it comes time to score.

The No. 2-ranked team is 7-1 with their only loss given to Burlington High School on May 13. Wormser is relying on the team’s chemistry to be the guiding element in the team’s toolbox going into playoffs, as he stated, “This is probably the closest team I have ever been on. We have great chemistry and we all push each other.” Wormser predicts that by doing as they’ve been coached to do, keeping their focus, and calling fouls when they need to be called, the boys can place well in the tournament.

Girls’ Ultimate (Sofia Cofino):

Sofia Cofino is a senior on the girls’ ultimate frisbee team. Giving perspective on the team, the senior offers, “Our ability to work together is one of our strengths. We have so many different ages that it’s impressive how we learned to play together—and win.”

The girls’ biggest competition in the tournament this spring is Burlington High School, and with their coach on vacation, the team has been forced to organize practices without her. Stepping in during games, the boys’ varsity coaches have given aid to the girls.

With the weather warming up, Cofino is concerned about mask-wearing during games, as are most athletes at CVU this spring. “It’s been extremely difficult to play with masks, especially when it’s warmer,” Cofino states. The senior is excited for playoffs, and will lead the team as “Spirit Captain” in these important games.

Boys’ Tennis (Henry Bijur):

Singles and doubles player, Henry Bijur, is captain of the boys’ varsity tennis team.

The captain predicts his team will be successful in the upcoming tournament by “Bringing our A game to every match.” Bijur suggests that the team can remain focused and competitive. “We’ve got a lot of depth,” which he hopes will lead to a good turnout.

“Some of our best players are Ethan Lisle and Charlie Mjaanes,” Bijur claims, and hopes those key players can continue to stand out and play well in the tournament. According to the captain, the team’s biggest competition is Burlington High School.

Girls’ Tennis (Ella Kenney):

Ella Kenney from Williston is a senior on the girls’ tennis team, and she is co-captains with Lindsay Beer. Unfortunately, Kenney was playing 1st singles and injured her knee, and has been unable to play since the third match of the season.

Kenney gives insight to the team’s strengths: “We have brought intensity and focus to the games while learning out individual games and strengths.” The captain also mentions the varsity team is fairly new and very young. “We lost nine seniors from last season, so there are a lot of new faces. 13 to be exact,” which is a huge change for the returning varsity players.

Despite the team’s age, the girls are 7-4, with two of their losses given to South Burlington, who Kenney states is their biggest competitor in the tournament alongside BHS.

Kenney is leading her team into a hopeful playoff tournament, and is happy with how the season has turned out so far. “This year’s season has been so much fun; it has been great to get back on the courts and be with the team. We’ve done a lot of growing, practicing, and bonding this season.” The captain expects her younger players to be nervous for playoffs, but hopes to channel those nerves into playing a clean and successful tournament.

Track & Field (Mckenzie Marcus):

Mckenzie Marcus is currently a senior on the girls’ varsity track & field team at CVU. Marcus has been on the team since her freshman year and is an experienced track & field athlete.

The girls’ biggest competitors in playoffs this year are St. Johnsbury and Essex. Marcus has observed that both teams have many strong athletes that consistently place well at meets.

Giving insight on her own team, Marcus states, “We have a really strong distance team this year. Specifically, we have some strong female athletes that are consistently improving their times, which contributes to the entire team’s success at meets.” The senior believes that if she can lead her young team consisting of mostly 9th and 10th graders, continue rebuilding, and stay competitive, the girls are capable of placing 1st or 2nd (knock on wood).

CVU has always been a powerhouse when it comes time to win; hopefully, we can put up seven new banners in the gym to make up for last year’s canceled season. The leaders of the baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and track and field teams are eager to play, and hungry to win. Schedules and scores will be posted on team web pages, and the teams’ social media will be posting upcoming games and scores.

Our Natural World, Sports, Vermont, Volume 11: Sp '21, Wellness

Stand Up for the Lake

June 2, 2021 cvcadmin

By: Phoebe Henderson, June 1st 2021

BURLINGTON, VT– In early August 2021 (the specific date has not been decided yet), the 13th annual Stand up for the Lake event will take place at the Burlington Surf Club, hosted by the team of Wnd & Wvs, Hula, The Spot and The Spot on the Dock. This event will be filled with activities and celebrations on the waterfront.

I spoke to Jeff Henderson, creative director and team member of Wnd&Wvs and Hula, about the event and what’s expected for this year:

“Stand up for the Lake is a paddle board race with probably around a few hundred competitors. There are two races: a six-mile race for the elite athletes and a three-mile recreational race. Basically, there’s a course on Lake Champlain and you start on the beach and then you ride the course and race on a 14-foot paddle board against men and women who also like to paddle race. It’s a day filled not only with the race but a fun party. There’s usually food trucks and it’s really a great place for the stand-up paddle community to get together and have a fun time.”

How will the event look compared to last year’s?

“This will be the first year after a lot of the Covid restrictions, so we’re hoping to get even more people because we’re not limited to I think it was 150 last year, there will be no limit and there will definitely be loosened mask requirements. I think a lot of people with their mentality will be a lot more joyous that they’re out on the lake and you know feel like they’ve gotten their lives a little bit back to normal, so I think it’s going to be a really fun event this year after what we went through last year.”

What can people do to be involved?

“Really the event is mostly about community and not so much the competition, although it does get very competitive. We normally have a cash prize of $3,000 that goes out to the top five winners of the race. We have a great community in Burlington, a lot of people that either work with the event or just friends who are just big fans of what we’re doing, they often want to help out with the event. Originally the event was a fundraiser for the Burlington Sailing Center, but for the last five years it hasn’t been. There are also opportunities to sort of come and be at the event on a sponsor level if you want to kind of showcase your (usually water sport-related) business or product, people can come and set up tents and usually those folks also offer prizes or goodie bags that type of thing for the racers. There’s lots of opportunities to be a part of the event even if you’re not into stand up paddling.”

Who organizes it?

“Primarily, Stand Up for the Lake was started I think even before Wnd and Wvs started, and it was just a group of people that like to paddle. But stand up paddle is a sport and our team wanted to basically have a party and get some friends together and have some light competition. Then Wnd and Wvs really took it over. Now it’s become part of a bigger sort of community with the Hula project down on the waterfront and the Burlington Surf Club as well as Wnd and Wvs and you know we’re just trying to make it bigger and better every year.”

Learn what it takes to become a stand up paddle board racer, or stop by to watch and experience the amazing facilities that Burlington Surf Club has to offer!

Link to Burlington Surf Club: http://www.burlingtonsurfclub.com/

Sample schedule of SUFTL events from 2020: https://www.standupforthelake.com/

CVU Sports, Volume 11: Sp '21

Sports Update 5/25/21

May 26, 2021 cvcadmin

CVU SPORTS REPORT MAY 25TH

By Erin Fina

Boys Tennis:

The Boy’s Tennis Team moved to 8-4 on the season while visiting South Burlington on Monday, defeating them. They visit Mt. Mansfield for their last regular season match, Tuesday, May 25th at 3:30pm.

Girls Tennis:

The Redhawk Girls Tennis team moved to 6-4 this season, but were defeated by South Burlington on Monday, 3-4. CVU Girls Tennis hosts MMU for their senior day and last regular season game on Tuesday, May 25th at Davis Park at 4:30pm.

Girls Lacrosse:

The CVU Girls Varsity Lacrosse team is on a roll, hosting and defeating Burlington 17-5 on Monday, on their Senior Day. They visit South Burlington on Thursday for a BIG rematch under the lights at Munson Field (S. Burlington Turf) at 7pm.

Boys Lacrosse:

The Boys Lacrosse team has an impressive, 12-0 undefeated record thus far in the 2021 regular season. They defeated South Burlington last Friday, 18-11. They host Woodstock on Tuesday at CVU at 4:30pm.

Girls Ultimate:

The Varsity Girl’s Ultimate Frisbee team is 3-6 thus far in the 2021 regular season as of May 18th. They look to host St. Johnsbury at CVU at 4:30pm on Tuesday.

Boys Ultimate:

The Boy’s Varsity Ultimate Team has had an impressive 2021 season, with a 8-2 record. They defeated Colchester last Saturday, 15-6 and this Tuesday (May 25th) look to visit South Burlington at 7pm for an under the lights game.

Baseball:

The Varsity Boys Baseball Team had themselves a season thus far, going 12-3 thus far. They were defeated by Rice on Saturday, May 22nd 0-1, but look to host St. Johnsbury on Tuesday at 4:30pm.

Softball:

The Varsity Softball Team went 2-13 this season and defeated the MMU Cougars last Thursday, 15-3. Their game vs St Johnsbury on Tuesday, May 25th has been cancelled, awaiting information about rescheduling. They do look forward to visiting Burlington on Thursday for a rematch, 4:30pm at Leddy Park.

CVU Community, CVU Sports, Wellness

Sports During a Pandemic: The Impact On Student Athletes and Coaches

May 17, 2021 cvcadmin

Ryan Canty, Fri, May 7, 2021

HINESBURG – The 2020-2021 “Covid season” has brought some high school sports teams success and others a hyphenated schedule or even no season at all. As an athlete, I was curious about the impact this season has had on coaches and players in the CVU community.

Tim Albertson is the head coach for the CVU Varsity Baseball team. “Everybody is extremely grateful for the opportunity to play,” Albertson said. “After watching a full season of games get taken away, the fact that we get to play has made a major impact.”

After the cancelation of the 2020 spring sports season, some teams find themselves with an opportunity to play the game they love, but for others, the 2021 season was cancelled. The Vermont principals association announced in November that boys’ wrestling and the indoor track and field seasons would be canceled. “I felt pretty sad,” says senior Sebastian D’Amico while reflecting on the cancelation of the 2021 wrestling season. “It’s because I’d been working out a lot and getting in shape. I wanted to win.”

Covid restrictions and protocols have made it harder overall for teams to compete during the 2020-2021 school year. In the fall, boys football had to downgrade to a 7v7 no contact format. While in the winter, boys and girls hockey had hyphenated schedules and indoor track and wrestling were canceled.

Seth Boffa, a senior running back for the Redhawk Football team said, “We made the best of it; it was still a lot of fun playing.” However, he went on to say that “being a running back, I couldn’t even run the ball.”

The ongoing spring sports seasons have already seen adjustments to the Covid restrictions and protocols. The non-contact sports such as baseball, softball, girls and boys tennis and track and field no longer have to wear their masks as long as they are properly 6 feet apart. High-contact sports such as boys and girls lacrosse and boys and girls ultimate frisbee still require masks at all times.

For the full story, including interviews with coaches, check out the CVU Show’s May 18, 2021 episode.

CVU Sports

CVU Sports This Week 5/14/21

May 14, 2021 cvcadmin

Jett Barbic

Lacrosse

The boys lacrosse team defeats Middlebury and Rutland this past week and moves to 8-0 on the season

The girls lacrosse team lost against South Burlington

Baseball

The baseball team came back from 7 down against Burlington to win 14-12. And now are looking forward to their rematch with South Burlington on 5/15

Ultimate

The boys ultimate lost this week against Burlington which ended their undefeated season

Sports

Redhawk Pride is Not Cancelled

May 31, 2020 cvcadmin

Mr. Ryan Eaton

The class of 2020 was expecting to finish their last year of high school and begin a new and beautiful decade, full of great things to come; Everyone was ready to conquer the new decade with a bang, but unfortunately, this bang wasn’t going to be good.

Over the month of March 2020, CVU students have been on a roller coaster of events and emotions, starting with a two-week delay of school, then canceling school for the rest of the year, then postponing spring athletics. What’s next?

The VPA (Vermont Principals Association) gave athletes some hope early on, making a statement on the morning of March 27. “ At this time, we are not canceling the spring season. It may come to that. However, we feel it is important to gather further information and talk with some people about options, if any, that we may have. This situation has changed so rapidly in just the past week that it is hard to predict where we may be in another two or three weeks. It may be worse or maybe better. Time will tell. We feel that as an organization, we need to have more time before we can make a definitive decision. So again, the bottom line is that spring Sports have been suspended, but not canceled at this point.” Too many spring sport athletes, this is a blessing to hear; there is still hope for seniors to get their final season in.

The VPA said they would make their final decision on April 30th.

On April 30th at 10:55 a.m. CVU Athletic Director, Dan Shepardson, sent out an email to all athletes letting them know the devastating news. The email concluded in “…Bottom line, unfortunately, they (spring sports) are canceled.”

College athletes that compete during the spring season weren’t as lucky. The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) canceled all spring sports and the remainder of all winter sports back in March, which includes one of the biggest sporting events of the year, March Madness.

And it just keeps on going down from here

Professional sports began cancellations in March, starting with the NBA, due in part to several players testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. The first case of the virus we saw in the sports world was Rudy Gobert on the Utah Jazz. A couple of days before Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, he jokingly touched the mic and everything on the table at a press conference to mock the virus. ESPN talked about this issue and was talking about if Gobert had the Virus while playing a semi-contact sport, then most likely more cases will appear in the NBA. And that’s exactly what happened. NBA stars started to come out about how they have the virus and tested positive, and then the virus grew exponentially.

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Sports

Coach Trevithick Hands Off to New Coach, Garvey

May 31, 2020 cvcadmin

Mr. Ben Vincent

The end of a CVU athletics era came upon CVU January 29, when Dan Shepardson the CVU Athletics Director announced by email the Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach, Dave Trevithick, would be retiring from his position the upcoming season.

“It was time because I got a lot busier, new baby, and um it just seemed like the right time with all the busyness happening,” Trevithick states briefly. His 10-year tenure with the CVU Lacrosse program ended quietly after the 7th of 7 straight D-1 State Championships, the longest run in Vermont high school lacrosse record.

With the conclusion of such an impressive record, a new coach is named to follow up Trevithick’s record-breaking career. On January 29, ex- MLL player Tom Garvey was announced to be the Redhawks’ new head coach for the 2020 season. Garvey comes to CVU with an impeccable playing career, and he will soon transfer his knowledge of the sport to a coaching career.

Garvey was born on October 29, 1983, in his hometown of Garden City, NY as Tomas G. Garvey. In high school, he played lacrosse, football, and indoor track. He was an All-American as a senior, then went on to attend Johns Hopkins where he was on the National All-Star team his last three years. Garvey now lives in Burlington.

Trevithick has high praise for his replacement stating, “I know a lot of what Tom’s past is. Having him here will be pretty great!” Trevithick is beaming with pride, knowing the program will be in good hands for the years to come.

Continue reading →

Sports, Uncategorized

CVU Swimmers: Big Fish in a little pool

June 13, 2019 cvcadmin

Ms. Grace Washburn

Many CVU students are being awarded sports scholarships and have been recruited by big schools, although most of their friends, teachers, and fellow students haven’t even seen them compete!

Ella Miller (pictured), a CVU senior and strong backstroke swimmer at The EDGE, has excelled in her swimming career. After being recruited and committing to Auburn University in June 2018, Miller has a future set in swimming. “Honestly, I swim because I love it. I’ve been swimming for almost 10 years and my love for [swimming] hasn’t changed.” It’s clear enough to see her love for the sport and not hard at all to see why someone like Miller would stick with it.

On March 19, 2019, Miller went down to Orlando, Florida to compete in the National Club Swimming Association event (NCSA). She placed 75th out of 197 competitors in the Women’s 200 Yard Backstroke.

According to swimming teammate, Riley Machanic, Miller not only supports her team through her swimming abilities but through her leadership skills as well. “She’s really great with the [little kids], she always helps out, and she’s like a role model for the whole team,” Machanic said.

Continue reading →

Sports, Uncategorized, Volume 10, Issue 2

CVU Lax Bros Extend Winning Streak to Four

May 14, 2019 cvcadmin

Mr. Zachary Hark, Sports Correspondent

Hinesburg, VT — On April 17th the Champlain Valley Varsity Boys Lacrosse team won the fourth game of the season 16-8 against Middlebury on Wednesday night at home.

The Redhawks again started off very strong in the game with Max Gorman, attackman for CVU, scoring the first goal of the game.

The Middlebury Panthers quickly adjusted following Gorman’s goal and trucked down the field to tie it up 1-1.

The Redhawks doubled down to score 3 more points before the end of the first quarter, which was closed out by Jake Schafer scoring to put the Redhawks up 4-1.

“We played a great game. We talked well, passed well, and when it comes down to it, we made most of the shots we took on goal,” said Kyle Cahn, of the CVU Redhawks.

The Redhawks continued to play strong throughout the rest of the game, scoring 12 more points and only allowing 7.

“It was one of the more entertaining games to watch,” said Zane LaDuc, a student at CVU, “there was a lot of movement which made it enjoyable to watch”.

The Hawks’ next feast is Woodstock Union High School on Monday, April 22nd at CVU.

Sports, Uncategorized, Volume 10, Issue 1

Ultimate Achievement: Women Go Varsity Disc

May 14, 2019 cvcadmin

Mr. Zachary Hark, Sports Correspondent

Hinesburg, VT — The Champlain Valley Union High School’s Women’s Ultimate Frisbee team took their opponents to the cleaners during the Capitol City Classic tournament on Sunday.

The Redhawks won their first game of the tournament 15-0 against Burlington High School’s junior varsity team. CVU wrapped the game up in about 45 quick minutes thanks to the 15 points they put away early on.

“We started out a little unsure of our abilities since we’d only had one other game together as a team, but within the first few points we fell into our roles effortlessly, which was surprising since half our team had never played before,” said Grace Washburn, cutter for the CVU Redhawks.

The Redhawks went on to win the second game of the tournament 14-1 against the BFA Varsity team.

“It was a really exciting time for the team to finally win a tournament, this added lots of mental strength to our team early into the season,” said Claire Rocheleau, 4th season playing for the Redhawks, “Seeing the CVU team develop [over that last four years] has been amazing.”

Continue reading →

Sports, Volume 10, Issue 2

Redhawks Defeat South Burlington Wolves 10-3 in Wednesday Night’s Blow-Out

April 17, 2019 cvcadmin

Mr. Zachary Hark, Sports Correspondent

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT — Champlain Valley Union High School’s Varsity Lacrosse team won their 2nd game of the season 10-3 over South Burlington High School on Wednesday, April 10th.

The Wolves started off strong with the first goal of the game, but it wasn’t long before the Hawks made it 1-1.

The Wolves’ quickly regained the lead after the 9th minute making the score 2-1.

“I knew that we were perfectly capable of coming back,” said Kyle Cahn, CVU Junior and #20 for the Hawks, “It wasn’t if we were going to come back, it was when.”

While the teams were pretty evenly matched up in the first half, the Redhawks excelled in the fourth quarter. They scored 5 goals to secure the win.

The Redhawks had a total of 27 shots on goal while the Wolves only had 11.

CVU Varsity starting goalie, Bobby Spencer, made 8 saves during the game as the ball was mostly on the SB side of the field.

“It was a great game. SB started strong, but we just had what it took for the win,” said Nate Cuttitta of the CVU Redhawks after the game.

Jake Schafer, CVU senior had an outstanding game with 5 goals and an assist by the end of the game.

The Hawks’ next feast will be Monday, April 15th at 4pm. They will be away playing at the Alumni Field against Rutland High School.

Sports

The Kevin Reill Memorial Basketball Tournament: A Reill Good Time

April 16, 2019 cvceditor

Mr. Caleb Martin

The annual Kevin Reill Memorial Basketball Tournament was held this year on Friday, December 14th at CVU, with teams from across the state participating in the tournament to help them jump into their season with strong competition.

Teams from CVU, Burr and Burton Academy, North Country Union High School, and Lyndon Institute vied to take home a win. Four games were played for both the girls’ and the boys’ teams. CVU won both of the tournaments over Burr and Burton in the finals.

The Kevin Reill Memorial Basketball Tournament is more than a way for teams to prepare for the season. It is about commemorating Reill and the work that he did for CVU and youth sports statewide. Reill was the Athletics Director at CVU for 28 years before passing away in 2014.

The tournament is a way to remember Reill and what he stood for as a person. Dan Shepardson, a longtime friend and colleague, states that “Kevin was an advocate for co-curricular, and in charge of increasing the quality of them.” Reill is remembered for his dedication to the needs of kids. He also strongly supported all students to be involved in co-curriculars at all levels from varsity to intramural.

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Sports

Fantasy Sports and Its Effects on the CVU Community

April 16, 2019 cvceditor

Mr. Cole Otley

The fantasy football playoffs are in full swing as managers attempt to end the 2018 season on a high note. Fantasy sports stretch from the NFL to NASCAR and are able to reach just about every sports fan in Vermont, and even in the world. Whether it be competing just for fun against friends, or playing for cash rewards, fantasy sports has something to offer everybody. It creates a social phenomenon that can’t be ignored with its domination of lunch-time conversations, small talk in the hallways of CVU, and beyond.

For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of fantasy sports, the rules are simple. The basic idea of a standard fantasy league at CVU is as follows: Each manager drafts a lineup that they work with throughout the season. It is up to the managers to set lineups of players that they think will perform the best each week. The players are real people, whose fantasy performance correlates to their performance in real life. Managers can add, drop, or trade players throughout the season to improve their team. The teamsin the fantasy league go head to head each week until a champion is crowned in a playoff. The result of this is an exciting, comprehensive experience that brings people together through their love of sports. SportsColeOtley
CVU is no exception to the fantasy sports phenomenon. Prince Yodishembo, a senior at CVU, has been playing fantasy sports for several years and has developed some opinions of his own. “Fantasy sports promote a comradery between people,” he says. “It gives people something common to talk about.” Prince is a seasoned veteran when it comes to playing fantasy basketball and competing in the annual March Madness bracket challenges. According to Prince, he is a two-time fantasy basketball champion of his league and, in 2015, had a 73% accurate March Madness bracket. “Fantasy sports prepare people numerically, and it also gets people a lot of analytical practice,” he said.

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Sports

CVU Track Resurface Raises New Concerns

March 18, 2019 cvceditor

Mr. Ben Klein

CVU Track and Field Wins States in 2016 - Image Courtesy of Andrew McClellan — CVU Track and Field Wins States in 2016 – Image Courtesy of Andrew McClellan

“It’s painted backward, the drainage is poor, and the surface is worn down,” Champlain Valley Union High School Track and Field Captain Luke Morton commented about the condition of the current CVU track. The CVU Track and Field program hopes to benefit from a resurfaced track, as proposed to the CVU school board at a recent meeting.

Morton implied that although the track conditions are poor, it may be the least of the program’s worries. He cites, “Diminishing participation and inadequate funding,” as just a few of the problems which have contributed to the team’s struggles over the past three years. Morton also suggested that the current status of the deteriorating facilities reflects the state of the track program.

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Sports, Uncategorized, Volume 9, Issue 2

Red Sox Win: is it a Home Run at CVU?

December 19, 2018 cvcadmin

Mr. Samuel Knox

HINESBURG, VT— On Sunday, October, 28, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series with a 5-1 blowout match against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This is the team’s first win since 2013. While some of the students at Champlain Valley Union High School— located 220 miles from Boston— are thrilled with the outcome, others are quite upset and some couldn’t care less. Nevertheless, this World Series win is a big deal at CVU.

Ian Parent, a senior at CVU and a player on the varsity baseball team, said enthusiastically, “I am a huge Red Sox fan! I’m just so excited for the city of Boston because let’s be honest, we don’t win enough.” He elaborated by talking about some of his favorite players on the team, “Alex Cora is the greatest manager of all time, especially as a rookie and David Price came in clutch.” In the series, David Price, 33, only allowed 3 runs in the entire series and pitched 3 of the 5 games. It was truly a spectacular series for Price who, in terms of sports, is quite old.

Another life-long Red Sox fan, Brendan Tivnan, stated, “My parents grew up in the Boston area and therefore have been fans their whole lives, so have I. I love watching [the Red Sox] and all of its players. They are a great young team with a lot of great young players. Also, I am glad that they beat the Astros and the Yankees because I hate both of those teams!”

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Sports, Videos & Podcasts, Volume 9, Issue 2

Good Morning, Sunshine! Nordic Morning Workouts with Coach King

December 19, 2018 cvcadmin

Ms. Talia Loiter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX94j8ditwg

Morning Workouts with Coach King

Every Monday morning in the CVU fitness center, King Miln can be found leading a group of students in a strength workout. He decided along with fellow Nordic Ski coach, Sarah Strack, to make use of the extra hour on late start days at CVU for strength training.

One skier, Celia Cote, 15, from Williston, says she wants to improve her core and upper body strength since “those are important for skiing and I don’t always work on that during [the off season].” Another skier, Geneva Cote, agrees that she needs more upper body and core strength because she “doesn’t really work on them on [her] own” and they are “really important for Nordic.” Miln says that 50% of the skate ski motion is upper body because you need your arms to push just as much as you need legs.

Miln says that the workout is tailored specifically for Nordic Skiers. “[These workouts] build less injuries, more endurance, and more speed for the ski season.” He says that the coaches work together to pull different types of exercises from NENSA, the New England Nordic Ski Association, and the US Ski Team, to create a circuit of moves that help skiers build muscles that are most important for the sport. “We’re trying to do more upper body, because that’s where [the team] is weakest in, guys and girls.”

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The Champlain Valley Chronicle

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