HARDWICK- Head coach Kathy Fortmann had her largest track and field team at Hazen Union in her fifth year in 2022 and will need to fill some holes left from four graduating seniors.
Jessica Royer, Lila Meyer, Bruce Fortmann, and Colton Courtemanche led a developing Wildcat track and field program last spring as seniors. Cassandra Royer led the girls’ team with a breakout sophomore campaign and Ella Consadine and Lily Castle will provide much-needed senior leadership. Sophomore Lisa Velten was a key contributor as an exchange student. Jasper Reagan competed in a full schedule as just a freshman for the boys’ side and Gabe Aubuchon had a solid sophomore year. Fortmann also has a talented class of middle schoolers coming up from the team that competed for Hazen last season.
Hazen Union was scheduled to kick off the high school track and field season this week at Lyndon Institute, but will now travel to St. Johnsbury Academy next Tuesday due to the weather.
Strong Claims Top Hockey Honor
BURLINGTON – Senior Jackson Strong capped off a decorated high school hockey career at Rice Memorial last week by claiming Vermont Mr. Hockey honors by the Burlington Free Press.
Strong is the son of Hazen Union alum Jeff Strong and grandson of former varsity boys’ baseball and girls’ soccer head coach Jack Strong, who last led the Wildcat baseball program to the division III state championship in 1982. Strong skated the Green Knights to the No. 1 overall seed in Division I and to the state championship game against Essex at Gutterson Field House this past winter. Division I coaches also named Strong Player of the Year last month. The senior led all defensemen with five goals and five assists on the season. He also led Rice in ice time and was one of the top players in plus-minus.
“It has been an absolute pleasure coaching Jack over the last four years. That kid is a leader and a warrior. He has a tremendous attitude, work ethic, and he will be sorely missed. His parents should be very proud of this boy, he will go on to do great things, said head coach Jerry Tarrant.
