CRAFTSBURY – Maxfield English has had quite a summer dominating on the Central Vermont Runners/Onion River Outdoors circuit and he’s hoping his young Craftsbury Academy (CA) cross-country team takes another step towards similar success in his second season at the helm.
English took over for Mike LeVangie last fall after the Craftsbury legend guided CA’s program to four consecutive Division III state championships. English was given a clean canvas to construct his own program last fall, with nearly all of his runners experiencing varsity competition for the very first time. He returns his entire roster, along with some new athletes as they look to make some noise this season in a highly competitive Division III.
“I am excited to be coaching the same great group of athletes again, and some new ones too. I think we have a strong roster this year, and I’m really looking forward to seeing them work together at meets. We have a full boys team this season and are one shy of that on the girls side. We are really hoping to recruit one more athlete so the girls can score as a team. Regardless, the team is larger than last year, and we are all dedicated to keeping the momentum going at CA,” said English.
Incoming seniors Soren Stelma-Leonard and Owen McKibben, along with juniors Theo Alexander and Kosmos Glestos, along with sophomore Stig Linck, all qualified for States last season for English at Thetford Academy. A season of high-level varsity competition under their belt could put them in the mix in a boys division led by defending champion Stowe. Linsey Allen returns for the Chargers on the girls side after qualifying for States as just a freshman. Stowe made it a clean sweep last fall in Division III, edging host Thetford to claim the girls team state title.
“My two seniors, Owen and Soren are great to have back on the team, bringing with them their experience and work ethic. I will be looking to them to impart these qualities on the newer team members. As a team, we will be working on continuing team cohesion and using our new runners to help pace-setting more effectively. Fall is the best time of year to coach and race,” said English.
The Chargers are scheduled to open the season next Wednesday at Lyndon Institute.
