From our Brandon correspondent, Drew Whitney, who's column on life in Brandon appears weekly in the Rutland County Express, comes this letter:
As autumn progresses to winter, so do Otter Valley Union High School and Middle School’s sports transition from cool-weather activities to those that are freezing cold or indoors (as in skiing and basketball). For now, we must say goodbye to an exciting season of cross-country running, field hockey, football and soccer.
With those farewells comes the end-of-season recognition for accomplishments. Topping the list, congratulations are due for OV seniors Kelsey Pojacik and Matt Dier. According to Sumner Erbe, athletic director, “They are among the 10 athletes selected statewide by the Vermont Principals’ Association for their good work in academics, sports and community service.”
In other seasonal highlights, middle school runner Kendra Stearns won virtually every event she raced in this fall. She ended up as the Middle School Marble Valley League Champion. The middle school boys’ soccer team was undefeated with a record of nine wins, no losses and one tie. “Congratulations to Coach White and all his athletes on a fine season,” said Erbe.
The field hockey team ended the season with a record of eight wins, five losses and one tie, which was good enough to earn the team a number-four ranking in the state. Coach Hodder remarked he was proud of the girls’ hard work and development over the season, and particularly grateful for the leadership skills exhibited by his tri-captains: Kelsey Poljacik, Aliza Hayes and goalie Chelsea Robbins.
In the past week, each of the teams attended banquets organized by Otter Valley’s esteemed coaches for their respective sports. Football players for both varsity and junior varsity filed into the Neshobe Sportsman’s Club last Sunday night for a plentiful potluck and awards ceremony, with Coach Jim Hill serving as master of ceremonies.
Hill thanked his players for their perseverance, encouraged them to stay physically fit (get to the weight room, boys!) and awarded each of the graduating seniors with their own football jerseys to keep as mementoes.
Also at the Sportsman’s Club for a (different) banquet and similar camaraderie was the Otter Valley soccer team. For this group, though, a potluck was out of the question. It was nothing but the best for the boys of Coach Muffie Harvey, who also happens to be a fitness expert as well as a seasoned chef, caterer and head of food services at the College of St. Joseph’s.
When the invitation was extended to parents to attend the meal, Harvey stated adamantly that they should come only with a smile. And when they did, the smile broadened. The banquet table was overflowing with barbecued meats, macaroni and cheese, salad, potatoes, coleslaw and a cake large enough to feed an army of soccer players and their extended families.
During a sometimes emotional presentation, Harvey told parents and students that she was more than proud to be the head coach for the team and that her players were second to none in teamwork and dedication, no matter what their win-loss record showed for the season. “It’s been such a pleasure to work with these kids,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade a minute of being with them.”
Harvey called individual players up to receive a certificate and provided highlights of their careers as she went. Sentiments flowed when she bid good-byes to the seniors with whom she had worked as their head coach this year, and their assistant coach for the past two.
Capping off the night’s recognitions was a humorous and moving speech prepared by graduating senior Grant Robbin, who joked about his close relationship with fellow teammates and reminded his coach that sportsmanship is not just about kicking a soccer ball to another player on the field, but more about building relationships that will be cherished for years to come.
Drew Whitney is a proud fan of Otter Valley Union Middle and High School Sports. On behalf of parents of students participating in all athletics at OV, she would like to personally extend an exuberant thanks to the coaches of all sports and to Athletic Director Sumner Erbe.
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