As the fall sports season wraps up, we’ll be profiling two standout athletes from schools in the area, nominated by their athletic directors. Today's athletes are from Champlain Valley Union High School.

 

Summer Spillane

Grade: 12 

Sport: Cross-country

What were your best and worst moments of the season? My best and worst moments of the season occurred at the same race, the Manchester Invitational. The varsity girls team was entered in the elite race and was hoping to prove our strength to highly competitive teams outside of Vermont. Scott Bliss, our coach, did his own research and told us that we could have a good chance of doing really well. But none of my six other teammates knew how well we could actually do. All I knew was that I was going to go out and run my hardest for myself and for my team. Our race was at prime sun, 12:30, and for a fall day it was very warm, about 87 degrees. I started out feeling really strong, but after about 10 minutes everything changed. The heat caught up with me and because I was not properly hydrated I was delirious by the end of the race. I had to be taken out by the medical services and it took me a while to regain awareness of my surroundings. However, it was worth it because our team came in 1st place. Everyone was so excited and I am very glad that I finished the race so I could be a part of their happiness.   

Do you play other sports? Which is your favorite? Besides cross-country I run middle and long distance track events, as well as pole vault. In the winter I compete in downhill skiing for the CVU alpine ski team. However, my favorite sport is cross-country. I enjoy running in the woods because the beautiful surroundings distract me from the pain and I love terrain variation, especially downhills.   

Do you plan to play in college? Right now I am interested in colleges where I can run D3. I can’t imagine not running and competing in races in the fall. I would miss it too much. 

Who is your favorite athlete? Joan Samuelson. A little bit of a forced favorite, but Scott named our running group Samuelson and everyday at practice we run for her.

What other activities do you do? Wakeboard, water ski, piano, work. I work at Mendy’s clothing store.   

What is your least favorite school subject? Math. I am definitely not a black and white kind of person and math for me represents that kind of thinking. 

If you could just know one language without having to learn it, what would it be? It would definitely be Chinese. I am taking it in school now and it is so much harder than my Spanish 4 class because nothing correlates to the English language. I know that it will be beneficial in the future for possible job opportunities, it is just very hard to catch on to it.  I would really like to know this language without ever having to go through the process of learning it. 

If you could communicate with one animal, what would it be? I have always wanted to communicate with my dog, Windsor. She has such a cool personality that I can sense even though she can’t talk. If she could talk, I really think that we would have some good conversations. I could also tell her to stop barking and she might actually listen. 

Name something that really annoys you. When my team is on a group long run together and everyone is trying to be the leader all at the same time. I really like to be in the front of the pack, I won’t lie, so when my other teammate are fighting to be ahead of me I get really annoyed. We are all working on an Indian run system so we can take turns at the front.   

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Summer Squash— I love vegetables. 

If you could be a celebrity for a day, who would you be? Beyonce. I sing all the time in the car and unfortunately for my little brother I sound pretttty awful. It would be so nice to just be able to sing really well for a day. 

If you had to get a tattoo, what would you get? I would probably get a sun if I really had to get one, but that would never be my own choice in a million years.

 

Matt Bauer

Grade: Junior

Sport: Football

Position: Wide Reciver and Safety

What were your best and worst moments of the season?  I'd say the best would have to be beating Colchester. They beat us last year in the championship and we've been waiting a year to play them again and we got a chance are we came out with the win 23-14. Worst would be losing to Middlebury, it was a mess so much water, and mud.

Do you play other sports? Which is your favorite? Yes I play basketball and baseball as well.

Do you plan to play in college? Yes that’s the plan.

Who is your favorite athlete? Devin Hester.

What other activities do you do? Snowboard, hangout with friends, and relax.

If you could just know one language without having to learn it, what would it be? German.

If you could communicate with one animal, what would it be? Dog.

Name something that really annoys you. Small dogs.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Steak with mushrooms and horseradish.

If you could be a celebrity for a day, who would you be? Wes Welker.

If you had to get a tattoo, what would you get? A Leukemia Ribbon on my side or back.