Varsity Insider

Mollie Gribbin nabbed a pair of top-10 finishes, including sixth in the 55-meter dash, at Friday night’s 23rd annual New England high school indoor track championships.

Gribbin, winner of three individual events at the Vermont indoor state meet early last month, trains with South Burlington as an independent but lives in Montpelier.

Her 55 time of 7.34 seconds tied a state record held by North Country’s Kasey Hill (2003) and Fair Haven’s Ashley Brown (2007). Kind of weird to see three runners hold the record; alas, it is the sport’s shortest event.

Gribbin also tied for eighth in long jump (16-07.25). She did not compete in the 300, the third event she won at Vermont states.

For those keeping track, that’s the second medal finish at an New England meet for the sophomore Gribbin. As a freshman at outdoor New Englands — held right at Burlington High School – Gribbin took sixth in triple jump. Quite the start to a career, wouldn’t you say?

Essex’s Katie Polakowski was eighth in the 55 hurdles.

Here are links to results:

Girls results

Boys results

If you weren’t at Saturday’s indoor track championships at Norwich University, you missed a truly memorable finish.

It’s a scenario coaches fear or relish: The outcome of the meet and the state title determined by the last event, the 4×400.

Well, it happened Saturday in the boys competition. Essex and South Burlington went back-and-forth all day. The Hornets had the early lead, thanks to their jumping prowess ; the Rebels fought back with major points in the distance events.

With an event to go, Essex held a 101-99 lead. The excitement at Norwich reached an all-time high. It was a frenzy filled atmosphere; athletes, fans and parents lining up on the far turn, right before the final straightway, to cheer – a custom seen at many high school championship meets.

This 4×400 had races within the race. It played out like this:

South Burlington and Mount Anthony were dueling for first place. By the midpoint of the relay, Essex was neck and neck with Fair Haven, but a wide gap from the leaders. So basically, you had Essex supporters cheering on their team and Mount Anthony to win, while South Burlington fans hoped Fair Haven would edge Essex.

It was an interesting dynamic, and it came down to the final meters where the Mount Anthony anchor, I believe it was Stephen Silber, the high jump champion, just beat South Burlington’s Zach Rachlin to the finish line. Essex went on to beat Fair Haven, settling for third.

That gave SBHS eight points and Essex six for a 107-107 tie.

Chu’s busy weekend

It was tough enough for Kyle Chu, the South Burlington multi-sport star, who had to guard the state’s best basketball player Friday night. Chasing Burlington’s Joe O’Shea around the court is tiring.

Compounding matters, Chu dropped a block pedal on his Achilles as he was getting onto the bus for Saturday’s state meet.
I’m not sure of the extent of the injury – either did Chu – but he conceded it was something that was a concern for Saturday.

But Chu rose above it: Winning the 55-meter dash by two-thousands of a second, clipping Essex favorite Michael DiMambro at the line. Winning time was 6.62. Chu also took second in the 300 and was a member of that memorable 4×400 squad that finished second.

Just a freshman

Essex’s Markie Palermo was not a runner before her freshman year started in the fall. She was a soccer player, but a broken jaw sidelined her from competing in contact sports. She opted to try cross country, then, naturally, joined the indoor track squad.

How did that decision pan out? Palermo finished second in the 1,600 and then saved the best for last: Winning the 3,200 to help the Hornets seal their fourth straight indoor crown.

“I’m still in shock, it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Palermo said minutes after her 3,200 win. It’s pretty new for me.”
She plans on joining the outdoor track and field team, too, saying running is “kinda stuck on me now.”

Varney rises to top

I didn’t get a chance to chat with girls shot put champion Jess Varney of Mount Mansfield, but coach Bill Eschholz filled me in on her day. Eschholz told me she didn’t win once during the regular season, stuck in the 29-30s range except for one throw around 32 feet. That changed Saturday when she was looking really good in the warm-ups. In the competition she nailed 33-04.25.

The closer
Fair Haven’s Shannon Park is a closer. She anchored the winning 4×200, 4×400 and 4×4800 – the last two on comeback bids. There’s not a better feeling in the world as a coach, knowing you have an anchor on your team like Park, coach Dave Heitkamp said.

Park also won the 600.

Around the track: Mount Anthony’s Stephen Silber went for the state record in the high jump, nearly clearing 6-6.25 on his second attempt. The record of 6-6 has stood since 1999, set by Fair Haven’s Michael Heitkamp. … Evan McCrea and Pat Nee, two of Essex’s star wide receivers on this fall’s undefeated champions, had successful first seasons of track. McCrea was third in the 55, Nee second in the long jump. And they both were on the second-place 4×200. … A third Essex football player, Michael DiMambro, who has starred in outdoor track, won the long jump (21-3), finished second in the 55 and fourth in the high jump. … Jason Devens won the 300 and was a member of Mount Anthony’s winning 4×200 and 4×400 teams. … Fair Haven’s Dave Heitkamp and South Burlington’s Geoff Bennett were named the coaches of the year by their colleagues.

The Vermont indoor track championships are Saturday at Norwich University.

The meet is slated to start at 11 a.m. The time schedule and an updated performance list are on Pavel’s Web site.

The South Burlington boys and Fair Haven/Essex girls are the pre-meet favorites. More on the team races in the meet preview for Saturday’s print edition. For now, let’s highlight individuals.

Girls to watch

• Katie Polakowski, Essex: The senior has top four seeds in four events, including the No. 1 position in her best event: the 55 hurdles.

• Mollie Gribbin, Independent: The sophomore trains with South Burlington, but as an independent, her finishes won’t garner any points. Only athletes on varsity teams can score. Still, she could be a double-winner Saturday with a pair of top seeds; the 55 and 300.

• Shannon Park, Fair Haven: Park is listed on three relays which are seeded first. Also the top-ranked 600 runner.

• Allison Scarf, Peoples Academy: Scarf is 1-2 in the high jump and long jump, respectively, with a fourth seed in the 55 hurdles.

Around the track: Fair Haven set the 4×400 state record at the Yale Invitational in mid-January, lowering the old mark by six seconds to 4:13.59. … Norwich laid down a brand new mondo track, a fast surface also used at international-level competitions. … The top 3 seeds in the 1,600, 1,000, and 3,200 are close. Should be exciting finishes.

Boys

• Michael DiMambro, Essex: Part of Essex’s outdoor track team in the spring, and a wide receiver on the football squad, DiMambro’s transition to indoor has been a smooth one. He’s the top seed in the 55 and long jump. Also on the second-seeded 4×200 and in fourth position in high jump.

• David Atkins, Fair Haven: Has the top four seeds in the high jump, long jump and 55 hurdles, where he’s top-ranked.

• Zach Rachlin, South Burlington: The soccer player’s athleticism has him ranked 1-2-2 in the 1,600, 1,000 and long jump.

• John Pornelos, Hartford: He’s seeded first in the meet’s only throwing event, the shot put.

Around the track: In talking to Geoff Bennett, South Burlington’s head coach, he mentioned the help of a SBHS grad as an invaluable asset to the hurdlers’ and jumpers improvement this winter. That grad — Dennis Akey — was a 2006 indoor hurdles champion. He’s set to graduate this spring from UVM with a degree in education, Bennett said. … Plenty of events to watch Saturday, particularly 4×400. Four teams — Mount Anthony, Fair Haven, Essex and South Burlington — are within two seconds or so.

The indoor state meet is eight days away. And the final regular-season meet is Saturday at Norwich University. So it’s a good time to update the state’s top performances.

Here we go. These performances are through 1/23:

Girls top 3 performances

55: T1. Molly Gribbin, Independent, Katie Polakowski, Essex 7.54 and Chelsea Montello, Fair Haven.

300: 1. Mollie Gribbin, Independent 42.84; 2. Katie Polakowski, Essex 43.04; 3. Kelsie Bailey, Spaulding 43.84.

600: 1. Shannon Park, Fair Haven 1:42.26; 2. Lauren Brown, St. Johnsbury 1:44.04; 3. Elise Pitmon, MMU 1:45.90.

1,000: 1. Morgan Childs, Fair Haven 3:19.75; 2. Lauren Brown, St. Johnsbury 3:20.10; 3. Lauren Mihan, South Burlington 3:22.30.

1,600: 1. Marga Kempner, Burlington 5:44.20; 2. Rachel Pinto, Essex 5:52.90; 3. Amber Legacy, Mount Anthony 5:54.0.

3,200: 1. Marga Kempner, Burlington 12:13.77; 2. Sarah Hackett, South Burlington 12:26.10; 3. Megan Flint, Missisquoi 12:26.70.

55 hurdles: 1. Katie Polakowski, Essex 8.64; 2. Allison Scarf, Peoples 9.34; 3. Hannah Hodsen, Bellows Falls 9.44.

4×200: 1. Fair Haven 1:52.36; 2. Mount Mansfield 1:55.80. 3. St. Johnsbury 1:58.87.

4×400: 1. Fair Haven 4:20.05; 2. Spaulding 4:23.14; 3. Mount Mansfield, 4:27.20.

4×800: 1. Fair Haven, 10:38.57; 2. South Burlington, 10:46.70; 3. Essex, 10:50.90.

High jump: 1. Allison Scarf, Peoples 5-1; T2. Elise Pitmon, MMU and Carly Stine, South Burlington 5-0.

Long jump: 1. Allison Scarf, Peoples Academy 16-0; 2. Lindsey Kelley, Mount Mansfield 15-9; T3. Katie Polakowski, Essex and Catie White, Spaulding 15-8.

Shot put: 1. Sam Pornelos, Hartford 33-07; 2. Kayla Dillon, Harwood 32-8.5; 3. Maria Stern, Springfield 31-7.

Boys top 3 performances

55: 1. Michael DiMambro, Essex 6.60; 2. Kyle Chu, South Burlington 6.74. 3. Jagger Kemp, South Burlington 38.24.

300: 1. Jason Devens, Mount Anthony 36.94; 2. Kyle Chu, South Burlington 38.04; 3. Josh Rosse, Mount Anthony 38.42.

600: 1. Jagger Kemp, South Burlington 1:29.10; 2. Tim Thomas, Lyndon 1:29.30; 3. Josh Rosse, Mount Anthony 1:30.32.

1,000: 1. Zach Perron, South Burlington 2:46.80; 2. Zach Rachlin, South Burlington 2:47.20; 3. James Hughes, Rutland 2:48.44.

1,600: 1. Zach Rachlin, South Burlington 4:47.10; 2. Stefan Deutsch 4:49.20; 3. Nick Book, Fair Haven 4:50.79 (converted 1500 time).

3,200: 1. Trevor Bibb, Mount Mansfield 1:33.60; 2. Matt Solomon, South Burlington 10:34.14; 3. Matt Solomon, South Burlington 10:38.60; .

55 hurdles: 1. David Atkins, Fair Haven 8.02; 2. Joe Taggart, Fair Haven 8.66; 3. Willy Judge, South Burlington 8.74.

4×200: 1. Mount Anthony 1:33.77*; 2. Essex 1:36.76; 3. Fair Haven 1:39.24.

4×400: 1. Mount Anthony 3:41.50; 2. Essex 3:42.80; 3. South Burlington 3:43.84.

4×800: 1. South Burlington 8:55.04; 2. Essex, 9:70; 3. Mount Mansfield 9:29.64.

High jump: 1. Stephen Silber, Mount Anthony 6-4; T2. David Atkins, Fair Haven, Mickey Krug, Essex, Willy Judge, South Burlington and Michael DiMambro, Essex 6-0.

Long jump: 1. Michael DiMambro, Essex 21-03; 2. David Atkins, Fair Haven 19-2.25; T3. Kyle King, BFA-St. Albans and Mickey Krug, Essex 19-0.5.

Shot put: 1. John Pornelos, Hartford 44-9. Jesse Wilson, Lake Region 44-2; 3. Devin Brassor, Windsor 44-0.5

*State record

Note: Please let me know of any omissions or mistakes. You can email me at aabrami@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com or call 660-1848. Or just leave a comment here on the blog.

As promised, here’s the top performances for indoor track through Saturday’s relay meet at UVM.

For those looking for the power rankings, we’ll return with updated lists over the next two mornings (basketball on Monday; hockey on Tuesday).

Girls top 3 performances

55: 1. Molly Gribbin, Independent 7.54; 2. Chelsea Montello, Fair Haven 7.62; 3. Shelby McLenithan, Mount Anthony 7.67.

300: 1. Chelsea Montello, Fair Haven 44.04; 2. Kelsie Bailey, Spaulding 44.54; 3. Katie Polakowski, Essex 44.64.

600: 1. Shannon Park, Fair Haven 1:42.26; 2. Lauren Brown, St. Johnsbury 1:44.04; 3. Angie Moreau, Lamoille 1:51.26.

1,000: 1. Morgan Childs, Fair Haven 3:19.75; 2. Alyssa Dempsey, Fair Haven 3:27.50; 3. Lauren Mihan, South Burlington 3:34.07.

1,600: 1. Marga Kempner, Burlington 5:46.82; 2. Morgan Childs, Fair Haven 5:58.06 (converted from 1,500 time); 3. Amber Legacy, Mount Anthony 5:59.27.

3,200: 1. Marga Kempner, Burlington 12:13.77; 2. Markie Palermo, Essex 12:35.83; 3. Megan Flint, Missisquoi 12:45.07.

55 hurdles: 1. Katie Polakowski, Essex 8.94; 2. Allison Scarf, Peoples 9.44; 3. Chelsea Murray, Fair Haven 9.73.

4×200: 1. Fair Haven 1:52.36; 2. St. Johnsbury 1:58.87; 3. South Burlington 1:59.44.

4×400: 1. Fair Haven 4:20.05; 2. Spaulding 4:23.14; 3. Essex 4:34.66.

4×800: 1. Missisquoi 11:07.44; 2. South Burlington 11:11.74; 3. Essex 11:17.04.

High jump: 1. Allison Scarf, Peoples 5-0; T2. Elise Pitmon, MMU and Morgan Childs, Fair Haven 4-10.

Long jump: 1. Lindsey Kelley, Mount Mansfield 15-09; 2. Katie Polakowski, Essex 15-08; 3. Chelsea Montello, Fair Haven 15-01.

Shot put: 1. Sam Pornelos, Hartford 33-07; 2. Mackenzie Ferguson, U-32 29-09; 3. Liz Alexander, Fair Haven 29-01.75.

Boys top 3 performances

55: 1. Michael DiMambro, Essex 6.74; 2. Zach Bartlett, Mount Anthony 6.82; 3. Jason Devens, Mount Anthony 6.91.

300: 1. Jason Devens, Mount Anthony 38.18; 2. Josh Rosse, Mount Anthony 38.42; 3. Zach Bartlett, Mount Anthony 38.55.

600: 1. Josh Rosse, Mount Anthony 1:30.32; 2. James Caswell, Mount Anthony 1:30.46; 3. Jagger Kemp, South Burlington 1:30.94.

1000: 1. James Hughes, Rutland 2:48.44; 2. John Punger, Bellows Falls 2:50.45; 3. Ben Bunnell, St. Johnsbury 2:54.28.

1,600: 1. Nick Book, Fair Haven 4:50.79 (converted 1500 time); 2. Alec Sanderson, Fair Haven 4:55.84 (converted 1500 time); 3. Stefan Deutsch, Essex 4:56.04.

3,200: 1. Matt Solomon, South Burlington 10:34.14.; 2. Ben Bunnell, St. Johnsbury 10:38.88; 3. Nick Book, Fair Haven 11:09.48.

55 hurdles: 1. David Atkins, Fair Haven 8.09; 2. Joe Taggart, Fair Haven 8.70; 3. Willy Judge, South Burlington 9.04.

4×200: 1. Mount Anthony 1:33.79*; 2. Essex 1:39.24; 3. Fair Haven 1:39.66.

4×400: 1. South Burlington 3:43.84; 2. Essex 3:46.74; 3. Fair Haven 3:50.14.

4×800: 1. South Burlington 8:55.04; 2. Mount Mansfield 9:29.64; 3. Missisquoi 9:31.04.

High jump: 1. Stephen Silber, Mount Anthony 6-4; 2. David Atkins, Fair Haven 6-0; T3. Pat Nee, Michael DiMambro, Essex 5-10.

Long jump: 1. Michael DiMambro, Essex 20-11; 2. David Atkins, Fair Haven 19-2.25; 3. Derek Hernandez, Fair Haven 19-0.

Shot put: 1. Jesse Wilson, Lake Region 44-2; 2. John Pornelos, Hartford 43-8; 3. Colby Lahaie, Mount Mansfield 40-8.5.

*State record

Note: Please let me know of any omissions or mistakes. You can email me at aabrami@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com or call 660-1848. Or just leave a comment here on the blog.

The power rankings for hockey and basketball will return next week after the holidays.

In the meantime, let’s take a look at some other sports. Today, let’s rank gymnastics. Later in the week, we’ll have a performance list for the indoor track events.

Gymnastics

1. Essex (4-0): They are the champs — four-time winners, actually — and they are still rolling this season to extend their unbeaten streak. Despite the graduation of four-time all-around champion Mary Krug, the Hornets are right there again, with Mary Parmenter (all-around winner at Rebels Invite)

2. Champlain Valley (2-1): This is the team that can challenge Essex for the title. A showdown on Dec. 15 — Essex won 132.7 to 131.3 — proved that. Ashley Bachand was the all-around winner that day — and she led CVU to a state’s best score to date this season (133.95) on Tuesday.

3. South Burlington (2-0): SBHS has wins over St. Johnsbury and Randolph, with a Jan. 8 date at Essex looming. The team’s depth should keep them in the running.

The gymnastics state meet is Feb. 13 at Essex H.S.

The indoor track season for Vermont high schools is officially under way.

A large turnout was on hand for the first meet at UVM. Essex swept to meet victories, with Hornet Michael DiMambro leading the way (firsts in the 55, high jump, long jump, 4×200).

The Fair Haven girls won a meet in New Hampshire. St. Johnsbury, Mount Anthony and Bellows Falls were among the Vermont schools opting for a shorter drive to the Hanover, N.H. meet. Here’s the link to the boys results of that meet.

First meet of the year was yesterday. Although, as usual, only a small collection of teams ventured to Williams College in Massachusetts.

Most schools that competed were from the south, but scouring the results briefly it appears Essex, Rice and St. Johnsbury also sent a small contingent.

Here are the results.

Next meet at UVM this Saturday.