This wasn’t the season anyone expected. After a coronavirus-shortened winter season and a canceled spring, no one could be sure how fall would look. As it turned out, it was unlike any other.
ConVal elected not to compete in interscholastic play, costing the back-to-back defending champion boys’ soccer team their title defense, along with the rest of the Cougars’ seasons – until golf, and then cross-country, were approved at the last minute.
Conant, Mascenic and Wilton-Lyndeborough’s sports seasons went off with little issue; sure, a few games here and there were canceled, and teams played within their regions instead of traveling all over the state, but ultimately, every coach and athlete I talked to this fall said they were just happy to have a chance to compete.
Ultimately, we saw some champions crowned, some new milestones reached, some senior sendoffs and some promising talent for the future. And in the end, we had two repeat winners of the Male and Female Athlete of the Fall awards.
Check them out here!
Landen Vaillancourt, Mascenic cross-country
Mascenic’s all-time best cross-country runner finishes his career with the home-course record, three team state championships and a Division III championship for his resume.
Elisabeth Jacob, Wilton-Lyndeborough girls’ soccer
The Warriors’ junior star reached the 100-point milestone for WLC this fall and scored 35 goals in the shortened season playing against schools from higher divisions who swarmed her with their defense.
Mascenic golf, Division IV champions
The Mascenic golf team cruised to another Division IV title this fall, erasing some of the sting from last year’s canceled championships. Not only did Casey Brox, Bryce Traffie, Spencer Sikkila, Joseph Lisio and Ryan Goodrich win the team title, but Lisio went on to win the individual crown as well.
Tom Harvey, Conant boys’ soccer
Harvey took over a young Oriole team and led the boys as far as Conant’s ever gone – a trip to the quarterfinals, where they held their own against eventual champion Trinity.
Mackenzie Cormier, Mascenic girls’ volleyball
Mascenic’s freshman class was ready to contribute right away, and Cormier is the best of the bunch, stepping into the starting setter role and looking like a seasoned vet.
Eva Shirey, Conant cross-country
Conant’s senior captain underwent spinal fusion surgery over the summer and still bounced back well enough to run for her team at several meets with a big smile on her face.
Brady Proctor, ConVal golf
Proctor lobbied the ConVal district for a chance to play; his efforts opened up the chance for ConVal’s cross-country team, too, and may have helped pave the way for winter sports as well.