UVM basketball teams face busy off-seasons

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. (WCAX) - Middlebury College held its graduation ceremony on Sunday, but three members of the Class of 2023 were a little busy that day. Senior captains Jane Earley, Erica Barr, and Annie Enrietto got their chance to be honored Tuesday, in what has become an almost annual tradition for the Panthers women’s lacrosse program. Those three missed the full graduation ceremony because they were down in Salem, Virginia, capturing the Panthers’ ninth NCAA title in program history and third in the last three completed seasons. Family, friends, administrators, coaches, and teammates were on hand to see the three Panthers earn their degrees, taking some pictures with their caps and gowns...plus those national championship trophies. It was a long road to this point, especially for Earley and Barr, who had to take a full year off from school during COVID to even get the chance to play this season. But they say they wouldn’t trade their experiences. “When Covid hit, I took a year off and waitressed for an entire year just so that I could come back and be on that field this year,” Earley said. “It means everything to me, we made huge sacrifices to be able to do that. Again, it’s a dream come true.” “My emotions are kind of all over the lot at the moment,” Barr added. “Just very overwhelming feelings, joy, gratitude, it’s just been an incredible ride. And given that we lost two seasons in the middle of our college experience, it’s just been so nice that we could cap off with two really incredible seasons with each other.” “We were able to come together so well because we all genuinely care about each other, both on and off the field, which I believe makes a difference,” Enrietto said. “You could see that in our play how much we truly wanted to support each other. And whenever one of us made a mistake, we always had each other’s backs, which I felt really carried us through.”

Second Classic title for Sweet

Women’s record falls, first time winner in men’s race

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - On a picture perfect Friday evening, Vermont Green earned its second win of the year, defeating Albany Rush 3-0. A sellout crowd packed Virtue Field to watch the boys in green cruise to a victory. “It was the best atmosphere I’ve ever had. I’ve never played around all these fans before, so it was great,” Gevork Diabian said. “They were energetic the whole game. Every time I got the ball I just wanted to keep going, keep going, keep going. They were amazing, best fans for sure.” “Last year, there was so much unknown. The community was learning just like we were. I think they know now, we know, what a special thing this is in the summer,” head coach Adam Pfeifer said. “Obviously it helps us get some of the players we saw on the field today. There’s more guys coming in, and hopefully we can give more good, entertaining performances to the community.”

Stowe girls three-peat

NORTHFIELD, Vt. (WCAX) - After regulation wasn’t enough, Burlington High School won the unified basketball state championship in overtime, defeating Burr and Burton 42-38. It’s the first unified state championship in program history. “Super happy. I could not be in a better place right now,” Mayele Coimin said. “The opportunity to lead this group of students is tremendous. I have to give credit to Burr and Burton. This displays what unified basketball is,” head coach Mike Leonard said. “There’s a lot of great programs out there. We’ve built it up, and the seniors have been here for a while, and they’ve absolutely earned it, as did Burr and Burton, earning this opportunity. I’m proud to be a part of it, and I’m happy for them, very much.”