TA News

Photo credit: J & R Photography

Fall sports are officially in full swing, and it has been an exciting start to the school year for Thetford Academy athletics! From hard-working middle school athletes preparing for their first competitions to varsity teams already making their mark, there is plenty of energy, enthusiasm, and Panther pride across our programs. Here’s a look at how our fall teams are getting started!

Middle School Soccer
Middle school soccer is off to a fantastic start! After putting in the work at practice over the past couple of weeks, the team is eager to take the field for its first contests this week.

With nearly 30 student-athletes participating this season, the program has grown enough to split into two squads. TWO! You read that correctly—and what a glorious problem to have!

The athletes have been working hard and are looking fit and tough as they prepare for the season ahead. Coach Stacy Barton is excited to see the growth that takes place throughout the fall and says she is “looking forward to watching kids develop over the course of the season—and to Kicktober Fest!”

Middle School Cross Country
Coach Charlie Buttrey and Audrey Leitao have been hard at work on the trails with the middle school cross country team. With a great mix of newcomers and returning runners, there is plenty of potential heading into the season.

Coach Buttrey shared, “They are already meshing nicely as a team, and our oldest runners have eagerly welcomed the role as mentors to our younger athletes.”

Coach Leitao adds that the team’s cheers are already loud and enthusiastic! The combination of strong leadership, new talent, and plenty of team spirit should make for an exciting season on the trails.

High School Cross Country
The high school cross country team competed in its first meet of the season last Tuesday at Bellows Falls.

The boys team came out strong, placing five athletes in the top 10 against tough competition from Burr & Burton. The girls team is also making solid strides and continues to put in the work each day.

Coach Emily Silver is looking forward to seeing her runners take risks this season, particularly by challenging themselves during the middle portions of races. With continued hard work and confidence, both teams are looking forward to a strong season.

Varsity Girls Soccer
Kevin Brooker is entering his second season at the helm of the varsity girls soccer program. The team is looking to build upon the momentum it gained toward the end of last season—and they are already off to a great start!

The girls opened their season on Wednesday with an impressive 4–0 victory over Oxbow. Coach Brooker is looking forward to seeing the continued growth and development of the team throughout the fall.

Varsity Boys Soccer
The varsity boys soccer team has already had a busy start to the season, playing two contests so far. The Panthers opened with a 4–0 win over Randolph before falling 2–0 to Peoples Academy.

Coach Bicknell is looking forward to seeing his squad reach its full potential as the season progresses. With a large freshman class joining the program, there is plenty of excitement surrounding both this season and the future of Thetford Academy boys soccer.

JV Boys Soccer
The JV boys soccer team is looking sharp to begin the season! With a large group of freshmen, the team is continuing to develop and become a stronger, more cohesive unit with each practice and game.

Coach Gavin is excited to be at Thetford Academy this year and has already been a great addition to the boys soccer program. He is looking forward to seeing what the team can accomplish this season, saying, “The sky is the limit for how much they can all grow individually and as a team.”

Varsity Golf
Varsity golf has a new coach leading the charge this season, along with plenty of new faces joining the team. Coach Driscoll is excited about the opportunities ahead and is looking forward to helping the athletes develop both on and off the course.

His goals for the season extend beyond just golf, as he looks forward to seeing “growth across multiple aspects: as individuals, as athletes, and as a team.” With a fresh group of golfers and new leadership, it will be exciting to watch the team develop throughout the season.

It is shaping up to be an exciting fall season for Panther athletics! We look forward to watching our student-athletes continue to grow, compete, support one another, and represent Thetford Academy throughout the months ahead. Go Panthers!