Observer photo by Greg Duggan
Vehicles pass through Williston Village on Tuesday afternoon. The Selectboard recently approved a lower speed limit in the village, though the state still needs to sign off on the decision. See story below.
Board OKs lower speeds on U.S. 2
August 27, 2009 By
Armadillos defeat Caledonia (8/27/09)
August 27, 2009 By
Aug. 27, 2009
With just two games remaining in the 16 game schedule, the 11-3 Williston Armadillos knew they needed a win on Sunday against 9-5 Caledonia to remain in contention for the league championship.
Williston’s record placed them alongside the Charlotte Bison atop the Vermont Senior Baseball League, but technically the Dillos resided in second due because Charlotte defeated Williston two weeks ago.
On Sunday, the Armadillos rose to the occasion, defeating Caledonia 7-3.
Starting pitcher Greg Bolger, who picked up the victory to improve his record to 5-2, threw the first seven extremely humid innings. Bolger surrendered two runs, only one of which was earned, on six hits and five walks. He struck out six. Pat “Pookie” Martin gained a save by throwing the last two innings, yielding one run on no hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Williston’s offense, which rapped out 11 hits, was led by Bolger (3-4, 2 runs), left fielder Bill Supple (2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs) and second baseman Brent Tremblay (2-4, 3B, run, 2 RBIs).
After Caledonia scored a run in the first inning on a walk and two singles, the Dillos bounced back with three runs in the fourth. Following Supple and Bolger’s singles, Tremblay blasted a triple over the head of the right fielder to score both. Although Caledonia’s left fielder made a sliding catch of catcher Darby Crum’s (0-3) line drive to hold Tremblay at third, he scored when Caledonia’s shortstop misplayed right fielder Billy Daw’s (0-4) grounder on what should have been the final out of the inning.
Williston plated two more in the fifth frame with the help of three bunt singles. Leadoff hitter Reid Crosby (1-2, BB, run) reached safely on a perfect drag bunt down first. First baseman Dennis Johnson (1-2, run) and center fielder Ray Danis beat out bunts down third to load the bases. Supple then grounded to short, scoring Crosby, and when the second baseman had difficulty tagging Danis at second, Johnson rounded third and swiped home.
Caledonia cut the lead to 5-2 in the sixth by scoring a run on a throwing error by shortstop Tremblay, a walk and single. Caledonia further cut the margin to two in the eighth by scoring another run on two walks, a fielder’s choice and a sacrifice fly, but the Dillos got those two runs back in the bottom of the eighth. Supple and Bolger singled again, and Martin brought both home with a two base drive in the left center gap.
The victory was not without cost however, as leadoff hitter Danis was forced to leave the game after the play at second, as he injured his ankle. That injury, combined with left fielder Dann Van der Vliet’s shoulder injury, which has left him unable to throw, has left the Dillos’ lineup headed into the playoffs in jeopardy.
On Sunday, the Dillos are at home against the 9-5 Jericho Indians.
“We need to defeat Jericho and have Colchester defeat Charlotte for us to win the regular season title,” Martin said. “As it is, though, we can finish no lower than third, based on the standings and our won-loss record against those at the top.”
League standings and individual and team statistics are online at www.scorebook.com. Enter “Vermont Senior Baseball League” under league name search.
Athletes, parents gather at CVU gym (8/27/09)
August 27, 2009 By
Aug. 27, 2009
Athletic policies and procedures were among subjects covered Tuesday evening at a mandatory meeting for fall sports athletes and their parents at Champlain Valley Union High School.
Kevin Riell, CVU athletic director, estimated the turnout at more than 700 for the first such general meeting for sports participants and parents in several years.
Principal Sean McMannon opened the session, noting that at CVU, the student in student-athlete comes first.
Riell then discussed expectations for athletes in regards to grades, sportsmanship and communication. He also introduced the coaches.
Athletic trainer Tony Lora discussed health issues.
Cross country and field hockey teams open their seasons Tuesday. Boys and girls soccer teams and football get their game schedules under way the following week.
— Mal Boright, Observer correspondent
CVU chasing second straight field hockey title (8/27/09)
August 27, 2009 By
Aug. 27, 2009
By Mal Boright
Observer correspondent
After nailing down the first Division 1 field hockey crown in the school’s history last fall, coach Kate McDonald and her 2009 edition of Redhawks would very much like to repeat the experience.
Observer photo by Cassidy Maglaris
Varsity and junior varsity field hockey players at Champlain Valley Union High School run through drills during tryouts the morning of Aug. 18.
And there is a solid crew of veterans returning to lend some serious credibility to the team’s chances of making it to the big championship game once again.
The campaign will get under way Tuesday, when the Redhawks open their season at Burlington High for the first of three consecutive road contests. The initial home game is set for Saturday, Sept 12, a 10 a.m. session with Mount Mansfield Union High.
Gone by graduation from the championship squad are five, including top scorer Katie Longshore (12 goals). In addition, the Redhawks will be without dynamo winger Gillian Shelley, who has transferred to a private school.
Thus to say McDonald has been “winging it” in early practice sessions might be correct in only one sense: The veteran coach has to find replacements at the offensive edges.
“We need to fill two spots on the wings,” she said.
But the numbers are good, which increases the chances that new wingers will step up.
McDonald said some 57 candidates tried out, with 17 on the varsity roster and the rest divided between junior varsity A and B teams.
Eight seniors and two juniors are on the varsity squad.
Leading the returnees is goalie Elizabeth Goddette, who was a mighty presence in the CVU cage last season through the playoffs and title game victory over Hartford High.
Other veterans lending experience of some two varsity seasons include Kathryn Powell, Emmaleigh Loyer, Kelsey Jensen and KK Logan, who is coming off a knee injury last season and, according to McDonald, “looks great.” Louise Gibbs also saw considerable action last season.
While the forecast for the season looks promising, McDonald warns that the Metro Division is once again strong and well balanced.
“Remember, a lot of our wins last year were by a single goal,” she recalled, adding that this season CVU’s defending champs will be the team to which the others will be giving special attention.
McDonald will get a good look-see for comparison purposes Saturday at Mount Abraham Union in Bristol, when the Redhawks join some 10 other teams in a “Playday” series of half-hour, pre-season scrimmage games.
School begins next week (8/27/09)
August 27, 2009 By
Aug. 27, 2009
The 2009-2010 school year kicks off next week as students head back to class after summer vacation. The first day of school is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 2.
The school day starts at Allen Brook School at 7:55 a.m. and ends at 2:35 p.m. At Williston Central School, the day starts at 8:10 a.m. and ends at 2:55 p.m.
At Champlain Valley Union High School, freshmen and new students will have a half-day on Wednesday, starting at 7:30 a.m. The full first day of school for all CVU students is Thursday, Sept. 3.
For updated Williston and CVU bus information, visit www.williston.k12.vt.us or www.cvuhs.org.
— Tim Simard, Observer staff
