Welcome to the first installment of the 2026 spring season for the Delta Dental Vermont Varsity Insider Athletes of the Week voting by high school sports fans.
This week, and every week during the sports seasons, members of the public may vote for a top girls athlete and a top boys athlete. And since last year, we added to the list of weekly nominees: There are now two stories, one for girls and one for boys, with more athletes on each ballot.
How do I cast my vote?
All voting is through the ballots at burlingtonfreepress.com. We will not accept votes through email or through social media.
Voting began Monday, April 20, and continues through 9 p.m. Thursday, April 23.
How do we learn who wins?
The winners will be announced in a story published at burlingtonfreepress.com on Friday, April 24.
May I nominate a deserving athlete for a future ballot?
Yes. Please nominate a Vermont high school athlete by sending an email to sports@burlingtonfreepress.com (Subject Line: Athletes of the Week nomination). Additionally, please include the athlete’s school, sport and any relevant details from that week’s games in the email.
Girls Athlete of the Week nominees
Riley Austin, Essex tennis: Riley Austin won her lone match in three sets as the Hornets’ fourth singles player helping Essex earn a 4-3 team win against Champlain Valley, the reigning Division I champions. Austin dropped the first set 4-6 before coming back to to take the second set 6-2 and the tie breaking set 12-10.
Klosie Cornell, South Burlington lacrosse: Varsity lacrosse has not phased freshman Klosie Cornell who has put up seven total goals in the Wolves two wins last week. Cornell scored the winning goal in the fourth quarter during South Burlington’s 8-7 win over St. Johnsbury on Friday, April 17.
Brooke Osgood, Oxbow softball: In Oxbow’s season-opening 18-3 run-rule win against Spaulding on Thursday, April 16, the junior finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs and three RBIs.
Giuliana Tizzoni, St. Johnsbury track and field: The senior starred at the South Burlington High School meet on Wednesday, April 15 winning the 100-meter (13.21 seconds), 200-meter (27.24 seconds) and 300-meter hurdles (49.89 seconds) events. Giuliana Tizzoni set personal best times in all three of those events.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont Varsity Insider April 11-19 Girls Athlete of Week ballot
