MONTPELIER — The Vermont Principals’ Association hosted its annual media day Thursday morning, outlining schedules and highlighting changes for the upcoming school year as it relates to both middle and high school athletics.
A total of 11 new athletic directors – including two local schools – will lead their respective program’s athletic offerings. VPA Associate Executive Director Dr. Lauren Young said the amount of turnover in this role is on par with Vermont’s neighboring state of New Hampshire.
Matt Dawson has been hired as Stratton Mountain School’s athletic director, taking over for Kate Boobar.
Jeff Gabrielle stepped into athletic director duties in March for Grace Christian School, and is listed as the school’s newest AD. Gabrielle took over for Brian Bushee, who the school severed ties with shortly after winning the Division IV boys basketball championship.
Manchester’s Applejack Stadium has played host to both the Division III and Division IV boys and girls soccer championships for the past three seasons, but that might not be the case come this November. Dr. Young hinted at the possibility of Rutland High School hosting those events, as Alumni Field is not acting as the host site for football championships for the first time since 2012. Instead, the football championships will be played Nov. 9 at St. Johnsbury Academy – freeing up Rutland as a host for other sports.
Bass fishing will be the first varsity sport to determine a championship, as South Hero will host the state championship on Oct. 5.
The girls and boys golf state title tournaments will be held at Burlington Country Club on Oct. 8 and 10, respectively. The cross country state tournament will once again be hosted by Thetford Academy on Oct. 10.
Boys and girls soccer finals will be played from Nov. 1-3, but host sites have yet to be finalized.
