NEK – Hazen Union and Craftsbury Academy (CA) are hoping to see a break in this month’s wintery weather as their track and field programs prepare to kick off the season next week with new head coaches at the helm.
CA will fully reboot their high school program this spring under first-year head coach Kyle Anderson. The now-Hardwick resident ran competitively during both high school and college in Connecticut and Virginia, putting down roots locally via Tennessee in 2020. He will be starting fresh with the assistance of last year’s head coach Jess Barber after losing a stable of state champions to graduation in Alex Califano, Matthew Califano, Silas Hunt and Sadie Skorstad. Charlie Kehler’s championship leadership will also have to be replaced after opting to compete for St. Johnsbury Academy (SJA) in his senior season. Underclassmen Kosmos Glestos, Raz Mille, Owen McKibbin, Soren Stelma-Leonard, Theo Alexander, Natalie Hill, Arwen Alexander and Emma Stout all saw action at the varsity level last spring for the Chargers. Anderson is currently practicing with 10 student-athletes at the high school level, while his team mentors the middle school program alongside. He has many years of experience as an educator, coach and competitor and is looking forward to his first official challenge as a varsity head coach.
“Track and field is a great sport for young people to learn how to foster a sense of self-motivation and agency. It’s also a great space for young people to figure out how to support their team as they commit to rigorous training and push their limits. I’ll be looking for our three juniors on the team to model work ethic and commitment, while also setting the precedent for a positive and collaborative team culture for our younger team members,” said Anderson.
Maxfield English will start a new era for the track and field program at Hazen this spring, replacing Kathy Fortmann after seven seasons. English took over the CA cross-country program from the legendary Mike LeVangie last fall and was the head coach for a Danville program for six seasons that he helped create. The Wildcats were limited in numbers last season. English will have to replace the senior leadership of Gabe Aubuchon, as well as the freshman talent of Manny Fliegelman, who now competes for St. Johnsbury Academy. He is practicing with an encouraging 12 strong so far this spring and will lean on returning team members Chloe Dyer and Lewis LaPierre for leadership to mentor his young program.
“I am excited to be coaching such an enthusiastic group of athletes. With many of them new to the sport, our focus will be on personal development, and athletes discovering what they can achieve. I am fortunate to have Chloe and Lewis as part of my returning team members and I’ll be looking to them for leadership, while helping to foster a supportive and inclusive atmosphere on the team. I am looking forward to seeing the growth from each team member, on their own terms. With our numbers up this year, we are also planning on entering team relays, which should be a lot of fun,” said English.
Weather permitting, the high school track and field season is scheduled to kick off next Tuesday at BFA-St. Albans.
