It’s Tournament Time for Winter Sports
February 25, 2010
by Edd Merritt

From men’s hockey, which reversed its end-of-the-season loss streak into early tournament victories, to men and women skiers, whose team strengths dominated the slopes in district competition, Redhawk athletes appear to be hitting their peaks at the right time.

Women’s hockey sweeps into state semi-finals.
After winning but one of twenty games three years ago, the CVU lady pucksters entered the state tournament with only Spaulding ranked ahead of them. Behind Sophia Steinhoff’s offensive output and the goal tending of Charlotte’s Nicole Fisk, they topped South Burlington to earn a berth against BFA-St. Albans in the semis. The Bobwhites from northern Vermont’s “hockey central” had built up to this opportunity and defeated the Redhawks 6-3. Sophomore Steinhoff scored all three CVU goals.

Men’s hockey surprises some with quarterfinal win.
It was a skate for the second CSB Cup as CVU and South Burlington faced off for the right to advance to the state semi-finals. The Redhawks struggled in the three games leading up to it, losing to Spaulding, North Country and BFA St. Albans. However, led by their yearlong scoring leaders Robbie Dobrowski and Kyle Logan, CVU knocked off the Rebels 6-3.The winner’s power play worked well all night, producing three goals in man-up situations.

Nordic skiers go from costumes to serious business.
Onlookers saw the fun behind skiing with the Colchester Costume Relays. Bedecked in whatever met their fancies, cross-country skiers dressed to the teeth or not. Charlotte’s Jake Marston and his partner Sam Epstein led CVU men with a 7th place finish. Jake’s Charlotte colleague on the women’s side, Kylie deGroot, and her partner Abby Stoner claimed 2nd, with three other Redhawk pairs among the top ten.
DeGroot led her teammates in Jericho, winning the Mount Mansfield High School race. She was followed closely by Johanna Fehrs, Sienna Searles, Abby Stoner and Anya Rose. The men’s team took second place with Andrew Childs and Sam Epstein running 3rd and 4th among individuals.

Men and women Alpine skiers both claim district titles.
On February 16 the men took to the slopes at Smugglers Notch and came out 39 points ahead of second-place St. Johnsbury Academy. Dan Caffrey won the combined slalom and placed 2nd in the giant slalom. Charlotte’s Caleb Ladue was his top-ten partner, placing 10th and 6th respectively.
The women equaled the men’s triumph three days later, beating BFA St. Albans by 61 points. Taylor Spillane led the Redhawks by taking 3rd in the giant slalom followed by 2nd in the combined runs.

Men hoopsters head into tournament; women are upset.
The shots have been falling for the CVU men’s basketball players, helping them win their last three games. With Jake Donnelly and Robert Russ scoring nearly three-fourths of the team’s points coupled with a stingy defense, the Redhawks knocked off Rice 37-27 in early February. Later that week, Charlotte’s Will Hurd helped them spring to life into a 62-43 home win against Colchester. After a 58-44 overtime victory at North Country, CVU fell to Burlington 51-44. Hurd contributed 13 points to the Redhawk cause.
CVU women gained the quarterfinals of the state tournament with a 43-29 win over 13th-ranked BFA St. Albans. The fourth-seeded Redhawks then faced a resurgent St. Johnsbury Academy and were eliminated from competition, losing to the Hilltoppers 40-37.

Gymnasts finish second in the state.
A mere two-and-a-half points was all that separated first-place Essex from 2nd-place CVU in the state gymnastics meet. Junior Ashley Bachand won the vault and beam exercises and was second in all-around competition. Grace Carey, Amanda Holman and Allison Bourdeau joined her among the top-ten placers in various events.

Wrestlers split last two meets.
CVU grapplers traveled to Enosburg and defeated the hometown team 47-24. The match saw four pins by Redhawks in the heavier weight classes. Ryan Fleming, winning at 160 pounds, was among them. They dropped a later match to Essex 42-33. Liam Bowley, Patrick Shea, Bryant Grey, Ryan Stearns, Tucker Austin and Sam Fortin won matches for the Redhawks.
The future looks bright for CVU as the junior varsity brought home two state titles along with a silver and two bronze medals.