VERMONT STATE MEET

St. Johnsbury Punctuates State Title With All-Time Vermont Best 4x400

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

The St. Johnsbury boys 4x400 relay team added an exclamation point on an already dominating day at the Vermont State Track and Field Championships on Saturday at Burlington High.

Not only did they win the event, but smashed their own state record in the process. St. Johnsbury crossed the finish line in 3:22.12 as they scored 10 points to add to their total. With a final tally of 135 points for the Division 1 state title, the Hilltoppers won their third straight and 32nd overall. 

St. Johnsbury was led on the track by Jordan Beardsley, who won the 100 (11.16), teammate Gerardo Fernandez, who won the 200 (22.80) and 400 (48.89), and Andrew Thornton-Sherman, who won the 300 hurdles (38.84). The Hilltoppers won all three relays as well.

In Division I girls, Essex was equally as impressive, scoring 151.33 points to win the program’s 29th overall outdoor title. Essex’s Scarlet Stimson won the 800 (2:18.16), 1,500 (4:48.16) and the team claimed the 4x400 relay title.

Teammate Ada Jorschick was second in 100 hurdles, third in 300 hurdles, third in triple jump, and fourth in long jump to aid Essex in its big day. 

D2

The U-32 girls claimed the DII title for the third consecutive year with 161 points with 29 of the points coming from the 1,500 and 3,000. Isabel Moustakasw on the 300 hurdles (47.65) and finished second in the 100 hurdles for U-32.  

Rice’s Elizabeth Cunningham claimed the 1,500 (4:57.19) and placed second in the 800 (2:27.90). 

Freshman Robin Tashjian of Burr and Burton finished second in the 100 dash (13.11), third in the 100 hurdles and was fourth in 100 hurdles and 200 dash. She was also part of the winning 4x100. 

In boys D2 action, Matteo Gallazzini led Burr and Burton to a state title with wins in the 800 (2:02:88), 1,500 (4:11:75), and ran on the first-place 4x800 and 4x400 relays.  

D3 & D4 - Manchester 

The Thetford Academy boys defended the D3 crown with 122 points. Ben Mattern won the 3,000, was fourth in the 1,500, and sixth in the 800. 

Freshman Cassandra Armstrong led White River to a D3 state title by winning the 100 (13.09) and 200 (26.89), while teammate Amara Calhum-Flowers won the triple jump (32-9.50), 300 hurdles (50.33) and placed second in the 100 hurdles. 

In the distance events, Thetford Academy’s Ava Hayden swept the 3,000, 1,500 and 800. 

On the field, Windsor’s Tydus Percy won the javelin and discus and finished second in the shot put.

The Green Mountain boys and girls swept the Division 4 titles. The boys narrowly won by one point, 92-91 over Northfield, while third-place Craftsbury was just two points back with 90. 

The Green Mountain girls edged out Northfield 112-108 for the title. 

Team Champions -

Div 1 - St. Johnsbury boys 135 points, Essex girls 151.33 points - RESULTS

Div 2 - Burr and Burton Academy boys 121.5 points, U-32 girls 161 points - RESULTS

Div 3 - Thetford Academy boys 122 points, White River Valley girls 174 points - RESULTS

Div 4 - Green Mountain Union boys 92 points, Green Mountain Union girls 112 points - RESULTS