Published: 11/23/2022 1:28:56 PM
Modified: 11/23/2022 1:28:45 PM
The fall 2022 high school sports season didn’t produce any local team state champions, but there was still plenty to celebrate. Mascenic field hockey, ConVal boys’ soccer and the undefeated Mascenic girls’ volleyball team all made the final four in their respective tournaments, and Conant and Mascenic sent cross-country teams to the Meet of Champions.
There was one individual champion, Mascenic golfer Josiah Hakala, and there were plenty of All-State caliber players in the various sports. There was plenty of talent to choose from, but we have narrowed it down to the top local athlete in each sport, with apologies to those other deserving student-athletes who could have made this list.
Boys’ soccerWyatt Beaulieu, senior, ConVal
Beaulieu had 11 shutouts for the Final Four-bound ConVal boys – and made the play of the year with his diving stop on a quarterfinal overtime penalty kick.
Girls’ soccerBri Fish, senior, WLC
Bri Fish played everything from goalie to forward for WLC this fall, and was a difference-maker in the Warriors’ three wins with her aggressive play and knack for clutch goals.
Girls’ cross-countryKylie Aho, senior, Conant
Aho was Conant’s top senior runner this fall as the Orioles took third place in DIII, and she finished off her cross-country career with a 31st-place finish at the Meet of Champions.
Boys’ cross-countryDrew Traffie, senior, Mascenic
Traffie was a formidable runner in Division III this season on the fifth-place, Meet of Champions-bound Mascenic team.
Girls’ volleyballLyla Buxton, senior, Mascenic
Buxton was a killing machine for the undefeated Vikings as they went on their semifinals run and was named Division III Player of the Year by the coaches’ association.
Field hockeyLexis Vautour, senior, Mascenic
Vautour’s fire and spunk helped lift the senior-heavy Vikings to their first Final Four berth in decades, and even in defeat, she stepped up for some clutch scoring.
FootballEverett Benham, senior, ConVal
Both Benham and senior co-captain Caleb Cloutier gave everything they had to their ConVal team this fall, putting their bodies on the line to help give Cougar fans something to cheer for.
GolfJosiah Hakala, sophomore, Mascenic
The only state champion in the Ledger-Transcript’s coverage area this fall, Hakala won his second straight individual golf state championship — with more likely on the horizon.