VTHSXC.COM Vermont HS Boys Cross Country Poll Results - Sept. 9, 2023
Boys Overall Top 10
St Jay
Essex/CVU(tie)
Montpelier
BFA St Albans
U32
Burlington
South Burlington
Middlebury
MMU
The more things change the more they stay the same. St. Jay starts 2023 where they ended 2022, on top. Last years D1 Champ and top VT team at New England’s start the year in the #1 spot. While the Hilltoppers did not run at the first two big VT meets (Essex and Burlington Invites) they do return a super strong squad and are bolstered by transfer and new comer, Emmett Johnson who finished 6th at New England’s in the 1500 on the track last June. On paper this gives the boys from St. Jay the best Vermont squad since the U32 team that won New England’s in 2021. Look for big things from the boys from the NEK this fall.
Essex and CVU split the top honors from the first two Invitationals and the coaches have them both at #2 for now. Essex won their home race and season opener. Last weekend at the Burlington Invite CVU turned the tables and come out on top but Essex was without national calibre 800m man Kelton Poirier. The two Chittenden County giants promise to go back and forth all fall. Question is can either challenge St. Jay for the top spot?
The D2 top dogs Montpelier hold down the #4 spot with a strong veteran pack and strong finishes in both early season meets. The Solons could challenge the D1 teams and look to be the class of D2 by a significant margin. #5 BFA has a low stick in Porter Hurteau who won the Burlington Invite and a strong pack in Toby Hurteau, Stoer and Tremblay. If BFA can find a 5th to join those four they could yet deliver the program’s first state title. #6 U32 has Cyrus Hansen up front but looks in a rebuilding mode after that. Watch out for #7 Burlington who boast a low stick in Avi Yagoda and a sneaky fast 2-5. This team has significant upside if they improve as a group as the season goes on. #8 SB, #9 Midd and #10 MMU round out the top 10. As always in Cross Country early season results are fun but the true picture will start to get clearer as the temps drop and the leaves fall.
On the individual side of things Cyrus Hansen, Porter Hurteau, Andrew Thorton-Sherman, and Carson Eames look to be among the best but look for Avi Yagoda(BHS), Dan Knight(CVU), Owen Deale(CVU), and Henry Nasse(Essex) among others to feature at the front of races in the Green Mountain State.
VTHSXC.COM Vermont HS Girls Cross Country Poll Results - Sept. 9, 2023
Girls Overall Top 10
CVU
U-32
Essex
Harwood
So Burlington
St Johnsbury
MMU
Stowe
Montpelier
Rice
No girls write up received at the moment of posting. Sorry for this.....