Vermont Principals Association officially calls off spring season

May 6, 2020 | By Lisa Scagliotti

After waiting just over a month since schools across the state were closed for the remainder of the academic year, the Vermont Principals Association on April 30 “with great regret” called off the spring high school sports season. 

In an announcement on its website, the association said the decision was made given the school closures through the end of the school year and the state’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order in effect at least until May 15.

“The VPA and the Activities Standards Committee have delayed as long as possible in hopes that some version of a season could be salvaged, but now it is too close to the end of the school year for that to occur,” the announcement said. 

“Our Vermont student athletes join the college, professional, and Olympic athletes who are sidelined for the same reason this spring. We feel terribly for our Vermont student athletes who have been preparing for their 2020 spring sports season, and especially saddened for our 2020 seniors,” the association said. “Your sacrifice is unparalleled in Vermont sports’ history and is one that is quite literally saving lives. We are hopeful and confident that our shared sacrifices in social distancing this spring will ensure a safe return to in-person gatherings, celebrations, and extracurriculars for the fall season of 2020-21.”

Harwood Union H.S. sports update

Despite the lack of spring training and early season play for the past several weeks, some Harwood Union High School athletes have been in the news. 

Athletic Director Chris Langevin compiled a list of recent all-star nominations and post-season accolades. Several seniors also recently announced their decisions for next fall that involve continuing their careers in collegiate programs. 

Harwood Athletic Honors (since Mid-March)

Boys Hockey

Finn O’Hara - named to Division-II All-State First Team

Skylar Platt - named to Division-II All-State Second Team

Oliver Hammond - named to Division-II All-State Second Team and Rotary Team (Senior All-Star Game); Hammond has committed to play soccer at the University of New England in Maine next fall.

Tyson Sylvia - named Division-II All-State Honorable Mention

Liam Guyette - named Division-II All-State Honorable Mention

Gavin Thomsen - named Division-II All-State Honorable Mention

Luke Spaulding - named to Rotary Team (Senior All-Star Game)

Jacob Cantwell - named to Rotary Team (Senior All-Star Game)

Girls Hockey

Kaylee Thayer - named to Rotary Team (Senior All-Star Game)

Nichole Pappas - named to Rotary Team (Senior All-Star Game)

Sarah Gaarvin - named to Rotary Team (Senior All-Star Game)

Girls Basketball

Mia Cooper - named to VT Basketball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Team (North) and 1st Team All-Capital League; Cooper has committed to attend Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C.,  where she will continue her basketball career. 

Tanum Nelson - named to VT Basketball Coaches Association Dream Dozen, and 1st Team All-Capital League

Tom Young - named Capital League Coach of the Year

Nordic Skiing

Ava Thurston - named to the Nordic Coaches All-State Team

Alpine Skiing

Gretchen Kogut - named to the All-State Alpine Ski Team 

Soccer

Amaya Rogers - named to the Girls Lions Cup Team (Senior All-Star Game v. NH); Rogers has committed to play soccer at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, N.H. 

Oliver Hammond - named to the Boys Lions Cup Team (Senior All-Star Game v. NH)