St. Johnsbury piles up big points in DI Vermont sweep

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Led by junior Katherine Cowan's three wins, the St. Johnsbury girls scored 168 points to claim the Division 1 VPA title at Burlington High on Saturday. The St. Johnsbury boys joined them, amassing 116 points to make it a sweep.

“This is incredible. Three years ago we didn’t think we’d be standing here now,” SJA coach Chip Langmaid told the Burlington Free Press.

Cowan won the 200 (26.39), high jump (5-0) and 300 hurdles (46.15).

In the boys competition, Champlain Valley's Tyler Marshall swept the distance events winning the 800 (1:55.45), 1,500 (4:08.88) and 3,000 (9:07.98).

In the Division II meet at U-32 High in Montpelier, the U-32 boys won their fifth straight state title, becoming the first school to accomplish that feat at the DII level.

Stephen Looke led the way for U-32, winning the 800, 1,500 and 3,000.

On the girls side, Rice scored 139 points to win. Sonia John won the 100, 200 and 400. She also ran on the winning 4x4 (4:06.30) that set a DII record.

In DIII action, at Green Mountain Union High, the Bellows Falls boys and girls swept the state titles.

Individually, junior Izzy Giesing of Oxbow won the 400 (59.13), 800 (2:21.02) and 1,500 (4:51.93) and was part of the winning 4x400 relay.

For the boys, Bellows Falls' DJ Snide picked up four wins, sweeping the hurdles races and winning the triple jump (40-9) and 100-meter dash (11.27).

In Division IV action on Friday at Chester, the Green Mountain girls and South Royalton boys brought home state titles.

Distance runner Riley Fenoff claimed the 800 (2:00.20), 1,500 (4:05.59) and 3,000 (9:11.55).

Team Champions

Division I – St. Johnsbury boys 116 points, St. Johnsbury girls 168

Division II – U-32 boys 195, Rice Memorial girls 139

Division III – Bellows Falls Union boys 177, Bellow Falls Union girls 144

Division IV – South Royalton boys 131.5, Green Mountain Union girls 97