The Burlington Free Press from Burlington, Vermont • Page 26

12B The Burlington Free Press Saturday, December 13, 2003 High School Winter Sports 2003-04 Lakers' alpine hopes climbing New coach, new era for Milton gymnasts good technical skier who is equally strong at slalom and giant slalom. Senior Bo Grant and sophomore Tom Morley will play a bigger role this season for the Lakers, who graduated two strong seniors in Thomas Curry and Nick Morley. Sophomore Ryan Hunt, a convert from Nordic skiing, is new to the team this year. Bombardier sees a definite improvement in both squads this year. "We had some bad luck at states last year," said Coach Bombardier, "so we're looking forward to this year's competition at Smuggs." well as a consistent finisher on the team for four years," said Bombardier.

Fitzgerald said sophomore Kacy Carter, who last year became the first Colchester girls' alpiner to qualify for the state individual championships as a freshman, also will be a top finisher for the Lakers. Chelsea Merchant, another sophomore, stands to make a big contribution to the team. Despite low numbers, Bombardier believes the girls team is capable of qualifying for states this winter. "Making states is a lofty goal," said Bombardier, "but Colchester winter sports preview competed in floor, vault and bars, is lost for the season with an ankle injury suffered during field hockey season. Sophomore Meredith Cur-rie, who was injured last season just before the state meet, broke a wrist playing soccer this fall.

She will miss the first two meets, but Thelen hopes Currie, one of the team's strongest tumblers on floor and a strong vaulter, will be at full strength by midseason. Lynch, who will be spending some of her free time working on her master's degree, will continue to help the team. She said junior Rachael Sterling, an all-around gymnast, is one of the most consistent competitors in the state. Fellow juniors Kelley McLaughlin and Jessica Smith should score big points, too. McLaughlin has strengths on the bars and beam, while Smith, who has competed on the floor and beam in the past, will add the vault this year.

Sarah Adams, the lone senior on the 18-person squad, competes in three events. "She has a wonderful presence on floor, beam and bars," Thelen said of Adams. "She has excellent form and a flair for dance." By Mike Donoghue Free Press Staff Writer The Milton High School gymnastics team is hoping for a little deja vu. Six years ago, it looked like the Milton team would be eliminated for lack of a coach. Then a parent, Janet Lynch, stepped in to take over the squad, ultimately leading the Yellowjackets to the Division II state crown.

They went on to win three Division I titles over the next five years. Lynch stepped down, and Milton's program again was faced with extinction. Now another parent has stepped forward, and first-year coach Mary Thelen is excited by the 'Jackets' potential. Milton opens the season today at Middlebury. "We were 4-4 last year, with the losses being very close score-wise generally under five-tenths," Thelen said.

Milton finished fifth at the state meet, and Thelen is hoping that a strong youth movement will deliver a top-three finish this year. The Yellowjackets would like to shake one recent tradition: Injuries at key times. Senior Heather Crowley, who Milton winter sports preview By Jared Bicknell Free Press Staff Writer Colchester High School's new alpine ski coaches are expecting a pair of senior-sophomore tandems to lead their teams on the slopes this winter. Greg Bombardier and Bill Fitzgerald will share the helm of the Lakers programs, taking over for the departed Jim Price. On the girls' side, where a lack of numbers has played a part in keeping the team out of the state championships, senior Jojo Lynch will lead a squad of underclassmen.

"She has been a leader as Girls basketball Coach: John Welch, first year Last year: 4-16, Key returners: Sr. Brooke Gardner, Sr. Emily Crowley, Jr. Sarah Walker Key newcomers: Jr. Ashley DeGrasse, Soph.

Katie Howe, Soph. Kelly Brooks Outlook: This might be Welch's first year coaching the Lakers' varsity squad, but these are not new faces to him, as Welch coached many of these players when they were on his Colchester Middle School team. Welch praises his team's speed, an asset he hopes will help compensate for the lack of height in the lineup. Next up: Thursday vs. Essex Boys basketball Coach: Corky Van Kleeck, 25th year Last year: 16-8, lost to Burlington in finals Key returners: Sr.

Manny Herceg, Sr. Tommy Howe, Sr. Matt La Roe, Sr. Tyier Santerre Key newcomers: Jr. F-C Scott Belval, Jr.

Jake McFadden. Outlook: According to Coach Van Kleeck, a tough schedule combined with the loss of three starters to graduation will be the Lakers' two big challenges to overcome this season. "We're going to be one of the smaller teams in the Metro, but we are an athletic team as well," said Van Kleeck. Van Available in chrome mS Dodge Durango HFord Explorer it is reachable as long as we stay focused." The boys team took 10th place at last year's state championships, and the team returns two skiers who were named to the Northern Vermont Athletic Conference's All-District team senior Kyle Fitzgerald and sophomore Matt Bombardier. "Kyle's been our most consistent skier for the past three seasons," said Coach Bombardier, who took 12th place in the giant slalom at states last winter.

Coach Fitzgerald says that Matt Bombardier, who took 14th in slalom at states, is a young team of 14 freshmen and sophomores and only four seniors, Murray sees this year's team as the most skillful one he's had. "We'll take our lumps early on, but we will definitely improve on last year's record," said Murray. He is also optimistic about the program's future, as 10 more freshmen will join the squad next year. I Next up: Tonight vs. Col- Chester Wrestling Coach: Bob Benoure, second year Last year: Key returners: Jr.

Devon Snow at 145, Soph. Kyle Bombardier at 130, Soph. Chris Traquair at 125 Key newcomers: Soph. Eric Comstock at 155, Fr. Jeremy Cold-well at 275 Outlook: Benoure sees this year as a rebuilding year for his young team, which should be bulked up next season as a large number of junior high wrestlers will move to the varsity level.

Benoure says his team might be hurt this year by not being able to fill each weight class, which translates to forfeits at team matches. "When you have numbers, it makes all the difference," says Benoure. Next up: Today at Early Bird Tournament at St. Johnsbury nhnfetmn.Ql win iwtiiiuvi Sat NEW Kleeck hopes that the difficult schedule will prepare his team for the tournament, which he felt was a catalyst for the Lakers' run to the finals last winter as a No. 7 seed.

Next up: Today at Milton Girls hockey I Coach: Phil Piasecki, second year I Last year 1-18-1 Key returners: Jr. Ashley Miller, Jr. Ashley Harkins, Soph. Katie Bilodeau, Jr. Kursten Reus-chel Key newcomers: Fr.

Kelly Quigley, Fr. Addy Keyser, Fr. Nichole Fitzpatrick Outlook: Coach Piasecki leads his young squad into its third season of varsity competition with one main goal in mind, and that goal is to play together as a team. "We have some individuals coming along, but we don't have a superstar, so we need to learn to play as a team," said Piasecki. Next up: Wednesday vs.

Missisquoi Valley Boys hockey Coach: Greg Murray, seventh year Last year: 9-11, lost to Milton in the Division II quarterfinals Key returners: Sr. Steve Jean, Jr. Shelby Nolan, Sr. Derrick Perreault Key newcomers: Fr. Tyler Bouffart, Fr.

Danny Rocheleau, Fr. Eric Place, Fr. Lance Nichols Outlook: Despite fielding a plated stainless Boys basketball Coach: Jim Smith, fourth year Last year: 11-11, lost in Division II playdowns Key returnees: Sr. J.J. Oliver; Sr.

Jamie Lewandowski; Jr. Matt Little. Key newcomers: There are 1 1 new members on the roster. Outlook: Milton was hit hard with the loss of six seniors to graduation. Oliver is the lone starter back.

With 1 1 newcomers, coach Smith is still finding the best fit for the puzzle. Next up: Today vs. Colchester Girls basketball Coach: Mike LeFebvre, third year Last year: 12-10, lost in Division II quarterfinals Key returnees: Sr. Kelley Barrett; Sr. Lyndsey Oliver; Sr.

Michelle Besaw; Sr. GF Amy Gau-thier. Key newcomers: Sr. Suzanne Reis Outlook: Milton should be competitive even with the loss of seven players. The team will be smaller, but might rely on quickness.

Lefebvre is happy with several underclassmen who are battling for time. Reis has transferred from Rice where she saw limited action. Next up: Monday vs. U-32 Boys hockey Coach: Derek Demers, second year Last year: 12-7-1, lost in Division II semifinals Key returnees: Sr. Chris Preston; Sr.

Aaron Mongeon; Sr. Jason Bushey; Sr. Kincaid Deforge. Key newcomers: Fr. Josh Winegar; Soph.

Josh Dike. Outlook: The Milton program is on probation because of racially insenstive comments made by two former players last year. Coach Demers thinks the Yellowjackets are now headed in the right direction, but are pretty young with not lots of varsity experience. Milton needs to play a disciplined style and gain ex- Boys Nordic skiing Coach: Leigh Mallory, 26th year Last year: Fifth at states Key returners: Sr. Justin Painter, Sr.

Ben Piotrowski, Jr. Eric Dayvie, Jr. Alex Clavelle Key newcomers: Jr. Tyler Hul-bert, Soph. Nick Hulbert Outlook: After a seventh-place finish two years ago followed by last year's fifth place at states, Mallory thinks his team can finish higher this season.

"North Country and Mount Mansfield are the teams to beat, and I think we'll challenge them this winter," says Mallory. Next up: Friday at Colchester Girls Nordic skiing Coach: Leigh Mallory, 26th year Last year: Fifth at states Key returners: Sr. Erica Hunt, Sr. Danielle Bombardier, Jr. Zoe Bludevich Key newcomers: Sr.

Maureen Gillard, Jr. Kylie Forkas, Jr. Amy Keyser, Soph. Britney Hayes Outlook: Mallory's girls team, which took third place in the relay portion of last year's state championships, will be led by Hunt, a skier Mallory calls "a strong contender in every race." Mallory also says that he has been impressed with his team's dry land workouts, which he thinks will have a positive impact when the team hits the snow. Next up-.

Friday at Colchester Jared Bicknell cvitf For Black Finish DESIGN Pmmum OucMy lr Accessorial I ul Bl Iffl Ef jj For Chrome-Plated JJf T''l I If Stainless Steel Ul perience as it goes along. Two goalies are in a healthy battle for the starting nod. Next up: Today vs. Mount Mansfield Gymnastics Coach: Mary Thelen, first year Last year: 4-4, fifth at the state meet Key returnees: Sr. Sarah Adams; Jr.

Rachael Sterling; Jr. Kelley McLaughlin; Jr. Jessica Smith; Soph. Stephanie Limoge. Key newcomers: Fr.

Stephanie LaRose. Outlook: Milton had some tough losses, often under half a point, last year and hopes to finish in the top three if it can avoid injuries, which have slowed the team. Sophomore Meredith Currie, lost just before the state meet last year, is recovering from a broken wrist, while Heather Crowley is out for the year. LaRose 16 coming off a strong junior high performance and is part of a strong group of underclassmen. Opener: Today at Middlebury Wrestling Coach: Bob Abentroth, second year Last year: 16th at state meet Key returnees: Soph.

Travis St. Hilaire (119 pounds); Jr. Jason Archambault (171) Key newcomers: Fr. Bobby Circe (112); Sr. Silas Pollit (215) Outlook: Milton is slowly building for the future with six wrestlers between varsity and junior varsity.

More are coming from the Middle School grades. St. Hilaire, who won the New Englands in junior high, was second at the Vermont state tournament at 1 1 2 last year. Circe was second at the New England Junior High Tournament a year ago. Pollitt is a new wrestler, but has potential to score points.

St. Hilare was second at a match with about a dozen teams last weekend at Sara-nac Lake, N.Y. Next up: Today at Early Bird Tournament, St. Johnsbury Mike Donoghue Outfitters Northern VT's Premier Fishing Tackle Store Staples Plaza South Burlington 860-7375 www.classicouintter.com wi i mm steel, or hotrolled carbon steel with a black powdercoat finish Helps protect vehicle's front end Rugged appearance appeals to active lifestyles Rack Warehouse 1 rackwarehouse.com Blair Park, Williston 878 Welded auxiliary light tabs accommodate Toyota Tacoma your favorite lights, up to 6" in diameter. Lights not included.

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