THETFORD, Vt. - Last fall the Thetford Academy boys finished second at the state championships on their own course. On Saturday they took the title there, winning the team championship in their division for the first time since 2018.

Sophomore Peter Horan led the way, finishing second in 17:13.7, behind only Stowe’s Nico Delena, the individual champion. A year ago Horan was 12th in this race.

The Panthers’ depth did the rest. Sophomore Zac Amber, 15th last year, was fifth in 18:01.6, and senior Ollie Emery, sixth last year, was seventh in 18:14.2. Senior Kai Slayton was 11th in 18:55.8, and sophomores Zac Adams (19th, 19:33.9) and Micah Mahood (20th, 19:34.2) crossed the line three-tenths of a second apart. Senior Jesse Martin was 38th.

Co-coach Joe Deffner, who leads the program with Emily Silver, laid out the challenge before the season. “To be successful as a team, they will need to strive individually to challenge the runners ahead of them and never accept that their position is a fixed number,” Deffner said.

With Horan, Amber, Adams and Mahood all sophomores, much of this championship group can return next fall.

The Thetford girls raced too. Senior Lola Squire led them in 20th in 23:47.9, and sophomore Meredith Sloop was right behind in 24th in 24:10.3.

Junior Madeline Piecuch was 39th, and juniors Riley Punchar (57th), Veena Wang (59th) and Ember Colby (62nd) and sophomore Mercedes Schwarz (68th) completed the varsity group. Rice won the girls team title in the Panthers’ division, just edging Stowe. Last fall the Thetford girls placed fourth.

Thetford also ran deep in the open races. Freshmen Blake Farley and Brennan Punchar were 35th and 42nd in the boys challenge race, and junior Mary Crockett and sophomore Lacey Judd ran in the girls challenge race.

Thetford boys: 2. Peter Horan 17:13.7; 5. Zac Amber 18:01.6; 7. Ollie Emery 18:14.2; 11. Kai Slayton 18:55.8; 19. Zac Adams 19:33.9; 20. Micah Mahood 19:34.2; 38. Jesse Martin 20:49.1.

Thetford girls: 20. Lola Squire 23:47.9; 24. Meredith Sloop 24:10.3; 39. Madeline Piecuch 26:22.0; 57. Riley Punchar 29:15.1; 59. Veena Wang 30:11.2; 62. Ember Colby 30:27.0; 68. Mercedes Schwarz 31:09.6.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We’ll see you next time!

WILLIAMSTOWN, Vt. - Thetford girls soccer’s season ended Wednesday afternoon with a 1-3 loss at fifth-seeded Paine Mountain in the first round of the playoffs. Junior Ruth Brooks scored the Panthers’ goal.

Hailey Denton scored twice for Paine Mountain, which improves to 8-4-3 and moves on to a quarterfinal at fourth-seeded Fair Haven on Saturday.

The 12th-seeded Panthers finish 4-10, and that record tells a story. A year ago, Thetford went 0-17. This fall the Panthers won four times, beating Oxbow 4-0, Windsor 3-0 and Lake Region 3-2 before a wild 4-3 win over Bellows Falls on senior night on Oct. 14.

Brooks won that one, hitting a long shot with 7:29 left in regulation after Bellows Falls had rallied from two goals down. “Oh, it was excellent,” coach Kevin Brooker said that night.

Before the season, Brooker said, “Last season we had a season untarnished by wins. This season we have a 100% return of last year’s players plus a few more.” The Panthers turned that returning group into a playoff team.

Other relevant play on Wednesday, October 21:

Hazen (4-8-3) 1 at Peoples Academy (10-5) 3 Peoples, which beat Thetford 2-0 on Saturday, advanced at home.

White River Valley (5-9-1) 0 at Fair Haven (8-5-2) 2 Fair Haven moves on to host Paine Mountain, the team that ended Thetford’s season.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We’ll see you next time!

ENOSBURG FALLS, Vt. - Thetford boys soccer pushed seventh-seeded Enosburg to the brink Tuesday afternoon before falling 0-1 in double overtime in the first round of the playoffs.

The 10th-seeded Panthers and the Hornets played 80 scoreless minutes of regulation and a scoreless first overtime. Enosburg’s Wyatt Monette finally scored 58 seconds into the second overtime, on a feed from Blake Teague.

Senior goalkeeper Matt McGovern was the reason the game went that long. He made 10 saves, including a stop on an early breakaway and a fingertip save to tip a dangerous corner over the bar in the second half. Thetford had chances of its own: Jay Hill forced an early second-half save, and the Panthers hit the post with 22:23 left in regulation. Enosburg keeper Daniel Murphy finished with eight saves.

Thetford finishes 4-9-2, while Enosburg improves to 10-5 and moves on to a quarterfinal at second-seeded Peoples Academy.

The Panthers reached the semifinals a year ago, then had to rebuild. “With nine seniors graduating last season, we have a lot of spots to fill,” coach Jonathan Bicknell said before the season. Thetford started the season 3-1, and its last win was 3-1 over Spaulding on Sept. 24.

Other relevant play on Tuesday, October 20:

White River Valley (6-7-1) 0 at Woodstock (7-6-2) 2 Woodstock advanced to a quarterfinal at top-seeded Stowe.

Hazen (2-10-3) 0 at Winooski (10-5) 6 Winooski rolled past a Hazen team Thetford tied 1-1 in September.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We’ll see you next time!

MORRISVILLE, Vt. - Thetford girls soccer fell 0-2 at Peoples Academy on Saturday.

The Panthers move to 4-9, while Peoples Academy improves to 9-5. Thetford was coming off a 4-3 home win over Bellows Falls on Wednesday but could not find the net against a Peoples team in their league.

Other relevant play on Saturday, October 17:

Stowe (10-3-1) 1 at Lake Region (4-9-1) 0 Stowe, which beat Thetford in September, edged a Lake Region team the Panthers beat in double overtime.

Winooski (9-5) 2 at Richford (10-3-1) 3 Richford edged Winooski at home.

What was missed Friday: Peter Horan won the boys race at the league cross country championships in 16:13.1, and Zac Amber placed fourth in 16:33.8.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We’ll see you next time!

ORLEANS, Vt. - Thetford boys soccer fell 0-2 at Lake Region on Friday.

The Panthers move to 4-8-2, while Lake Region improves to 4-10. It was Thetford's fifth straight loss, a stretch that includes one-goal losses to Montpelier and Lamoille, and the Panthers have not won since a 3-1 home win over Spaulding on Sept. 24.

Other relevant play on Friday, October 16:

Peoples Academy (9-2-3) 1 at North Country (7-5-1) 1 Two teams that beat Thetford this season played to a draw.

Stowe (10-2-1) 6 at Spaulding (0-13) 0 Stowe, which beat Thetford last Saturday, rolled on the road in their league.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We'll see you next time!

THETFORD, Vt. - Thetford girls soccer snapped a three-game skid Wednesday with a 4-3 home win over Bellows Falls, ending BF’s six-game win streak. Z. Hayward scored, and L. Miller added a goal and an assist.

A. Nystrom scored all three goals for Bellows Falls. Goalkeeper G. Hayes finished with 10 saves for BF.

The Panthers improve to 4-8, while Bellows Falls falls to 8-5. It was Thetford’s biggest result in weeks and a statement win against a hot visitor.

Thetford girls soccer is next at Peoples Academy on Saturday, October 17, at 11 a.m.

Other relevant play on Wednesday, October 14:

Stowe (9-3) 0 at North Country (8-2) 2 North Country, which beat Thetford earlier this month, won at home in their league.

Vergennes (7-1) 2 at Missisquoi (2-8) 1 Vergennes won on the road in their division.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We’ll see you next time!

STOWE, Vt. - Thetford boys soccer battled on the road Saturday but fell 2-0 at Stowe. Stowe scored once in each half.

Thetford moves to 4-7-2 on the season, while Stowe improves to 9-2-1. The Panthers kept it close against one of the better teams in the state and have a few games left to finish strong.

Thetford boys soccer is next against Lake Region on Friday, October 16, at 4 p.m.

Thetford at Hopkinton Cross Country Festival | Saturday, October 10

Thetford boys cross country placed 16th out of 41 teams at the Hopkinton Cross Country Festival with 477 points. Zac Amber led the Panthers in 18th place in 16:14.7, and Peter Horan was right behind him in 26th in 16:28.1.

Ollie Emery finished 66th in 17:14.2, Zac Adams was 185th in 18:49.7, and Blake Farley was 217th in 19:28.0.

Thetford at Hopkinton Cross Country Festival | Saturday, October 10

Three Thetford girls ran as individuals at Hopkinton. Sophomore Meredith Sloop finished 146th in 22:41.6, senior Lola Squire was 148th in 22:50.5, and junior Madeline Piecuch was 174th in 23:42.5.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We'll see you next time!

THETFORD, Vt. - Thetford girls soccer had a hard home game Friday, falling 7-0 to North Country. The Panthers drop to 4-9 on the season, while North Country improves to 10-2.

North Country came in as one of the strongest teams in the state, and Thetford could not get on the board. The Panthers have a few days to regroup before another home game.

Thetford girls soccer is next at home against Bellows Falls on Wednesday, October 14, at 4:00 p.m.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We'll see you next time!

THETFORD, Vt. — Thetford boys soccer scored twice at home Wednesday, but Lamoille scored three times and left with a 3-2 win. The Panthers move to 4-6-2 on the season, while Lamoille improves to 5-5-1.

It was the second straight one-goal home loss for Thetford, which fell 1-0 to Montpelier on Monday. The Panthers have been in close games all fall, and they will try to get back in the win column on the road this weekend against a team in their league.

Thetford boys soccer is next on the road at Stowe on Saturday, October 10, at 10:00 a.m.

Other relevant play on Wednesday, October 7:

Stowe 3 at Lyndon 0 Stowe, Thetford's next opponent, won on the road in their league.

Spaulding 0 at Peoples 9 Peoples rolled at home in their division.

Montpelier 4 at Hazen 0 Montpelier took a road shutout in their league.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We'll see you next time!

THETFORD, Vt. — Thetford girls soccer came up one goal short at home Tuesday, falling 2-1 to Lyndon Institute. The Panthers scored once but could not find the equalizer, and they move to 4-8 on the season.

It was a close game against a team in their league. Lyndon picked up its second win of the season and moves to 2-7, while Thetford will look to bounce back at home at the end of the week.

Thetford girls soccer is next at home against North Country on Friday, October 9, at 4:00 p.m.

Other relevant play on Tuesday, October 6:

Lamoille 1 at North Country 4 North Country, Thetford's next opponent, won at home in their league.

U-32 2 at Peoples 3 Peoples edged U-32 by a goal at home in their league.

Previous day numbers are finally in: Thetford boys soccer fell 1-0 at home to Montpelier on Monday. Montpelier's Michael Vitti scored the only goal, and Montpelier played the final eight minutes a player down after a red card to its keeper, but the Panthers could not find the equalizer. Thetford is 4-5-2 and hosts Lamoille on Wednesday, October 7, at 4:00 p.m.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We'll see you next time!

THETFORD CENTER, Vt. — Thetford Academy hosted its annual Woods Trail Run on Saturday and put several Panthers on the results board. Freshman Brennan Punchar placed seventh in Boys Division 4 in 21:39.4. Freshman Blake Farley was 13th in Boys Division 3 in 20:07.7. Senior Kai Slayton ran 19:13.4 and sophomore Micah Mahood ran 20:07.3 in Boys Division 2. Sophomore Meredith Sloop ran 24:22.3 in Girls Division 2. Team scores were not posted.

It was a busy home meet for Thetford. Hosting the Woods Trail field gave the Panthers a chance to race familiar trails, and Punchar’s top-seven Boys Division 4 finish led the home placers.

THETFORD, Vt. — Thetford boys soccer fell at home Thursday, losing 4-1 to U-32. The Panthers move to 4-4-2 and left U-32 at 7-3 after a heavy home night.

U-32 arrived on a seven-game win streak and kept the pressure on from the start. Thetford found the cage once but could not match the visitors’ finishing stretch in their division.

Thetford boys soccer is next at home against Montpelier on Monday, October 5, at 4:00 p.m.

HYDE PARK, Vt. — Thetford girls soccer took a hard road loss Wednesday, falling 6-0 at Lamoille. The Panthers move to 4-7 and left Lamoille at 6-3 after a long away night.

It was a tough road open in their league. Lamoille kept pouring on chances, and Thetford could not slow the match once it got away.

Thetford girls soccer is next at home against Lyndon Institute on Tuesday, October 6, at 4:00 p.m.

THETFORD, Vt. — Thetford boys soccer earned a 1-1 home draw Tuesday against Hazen. The Panthers move to 4-3-2 and left the Wildcats at 2-5-2 after a shared result on campus.

It was a full home scrap in their division. Thetford stayed organized through the final whistle and secured the point.

Thetford boys soccer is next at home against U-32 on Thursday, October 1, at 4:00 p.m.

THETFORD, Vt. — Thetford boys soccer took care of business at home Thursday, beating Spaulding 3-1. The Panthers are 4-3-1 after knocking off a Crimson Tide side that sits at 1-7.

Thetford found three goals and limited Spaulding to one. It was a clear home win in their league and another step forward after a mixed midweek stretch.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We'll see you next time!

THETFORD, Vt. — Thetford girls soccer beat Lake Region 3-2 in double overtime at home on Wednesday. The Panthers snapped a four-game skid and sit at 4-6 after a thriller that needed the extra periods.

It was the kind of night that changes a stretch. Thetford found the winner in double OT and ended the skid in front of the home crowd.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We'll see you next time!

THETFORD, Vt. — Thetford boys soccer played Lyndon Institute to a 2-2 draw through two overtimes on Tuesday. The Panthers are 3-3-1 after a hard-fought home result that needed extra time to settle.

Neither side could find a winner after regulation. Thetford matched Lyndon goal for goal and walked off with a point after a full double-OT grind at home.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We'll see you next time!

THETFORD, Vt. — Thetford girls soccer fell 5-1 at home to Montpelier on Saturday. The Panthers are 3-6 after the loss and could not match Montpelier’s attack through the afternoon.

A four-goal home defeat is a tough one to absorb. Thetford will look to tighten the defense and find another gear the next time it hosts.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We'll see you next time!

DUXBURY, Vt. — Thetford boys soccer came up empty on the road Thursday. Harwood won 3-0, moving to 1-3 for its first win of the season, while the Panthers slipped to 3-3.

It was a tough road night for Thetford — shut out in the final and left looking for answers after sitting at even on the season.

Thetford at Harwood | September 16, 2026

What was missed Wednesday… Thetford girls soccer fell 0-6 at Harwood.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We’ll see you next time!

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. — Thetford Academy boys cross country ran away with the team title Wednesday at Hartford. The Panthers posted a 16 — well clear of Hartford’s 39, Fair Haven’s 58, and White River Valley’s 71.

Horan won the race in 18:16, Amber took second, and that 1-2 punch set the tone for a dominant team score on the road at the Hurricanes’ home meet.

Hartford host meet | September 16, 2026

Girls cross country nearly matched it. Thetford finished second with a team score of 23, one point behind Hartford’s 22, with Mill River Union third at 39. Sloop placed fifth, Squire sixth, and Piecuch ninth for the Panthers in a tight team race that came down to packing.

Thetford at Harwood | September 16, 2026

Girls soccer had a harder road trip the same day. Harwood won 6-0 and stayed perfect at 6-0, while the Panthers slipped to 3-5. Named scorers were not posted — just the shutout final.

That wraps up the day for Thetford Academy sports. We'll see you next time!