LYNDON CENTER – The Craftsbury Academy (CA) cross-country team showed some promise for the future last week with some stellar performances from underclassmen at their first meet of the season at Lyndon Institute.
Second-year head coach. Maxfield English. had three freshmen and a sophomore post top-ten finishes last Wednesday in the Chargers season opener against some tough competition that included Lyndon, North Country, Lake Region, Oxbow, and Danville. Freshman Aemilia Terrone led the way for the CA, posting a third-place finish in the girl’s 5,000m with a time of 24:34. Fellow sophomore teammate Nora Van Gulden wasn’t far behind, finishing fourth with a time of 27:31. Oxbow senior Casey Wiedrick bested the field with a time of 24:04.
In the boy’s varsity 5,000m freshman Oakley Crawford paced the Chargers with a seventh-place finish, crossing the finish line at 21:43. Freshman teammate James Reynolds also posted an impressive top-ten finish with a time of 24:09. Senior Owen McKibben (13th) and junior Theodore Alexander (16th) rounded out the Charger finishers. Lyndon senior Zachary Taylor led the field with a time of 19:25. Danville freshman Landon Garrand also posted an impressive fourth place finish with a time of 20:30.
English had reason to be excited for his young team as he looks to rebuild a storied program that won four consecutive Division III state titles under legendary coach Mike LeVangie.
“As a coach, the first competition of the season can be a mystery, and this one turned out to be on the majik [sic] side. I was truly impressed with the performance the runners produced. On course, I really saw them making gains on the climbs. In cross-country, the ascents make big differences, and the CA athletes undoubtedly showed their fortitude in Lyndon. I am looking forward to seeing them grow as the season unfolds; lots of racing to come!” said English.
CA will be back in action next Tuesday at North Country.
