Vote for the best Vermont high school sports dynasty of the last 50 years powered by Delta Dental

From yearslong championship runs and sheer dominance to impressive consecutive winning streaks, dynastic programs are weaved into high school sports history in Vermont. And over the last 50 years, this state has seen its share of tradition-rich programs rack up wins and titles, from a diverse offering of sports.

But which dynasty is the greatest? To answer that question, Burlington Free Press reporters Alex Abrami and Judith Altneu plucked out 20 deserving nominations of the last five decades. Now it’s your turn, the reader, to cast your vote in the latest BFP summer ballot powered by Delta Dental.

For a starting point in this subjective process, the Free Press looked at teams with at least five years (or more) of extended greatness.

Voting is unlimited until the poll closes at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 23. There will also be a write-in spot on the ballot.

Read on and then vote away! Print readers can find the poll at burlingtonfreepress.com.

CVU boys soccer (2002-2007)

After back-to-back penalty shootout losses, the former in one of the state’s great upsets, the Champlain Valley boys soccer program reeled off six consecutive Division I state titles (counting a tie in 2003 with BFA-St. Albans). Led by Dan Shepardson for the first four and his former player T.J. Mead for the last two, the Redhawks went 94-5-5 over their championship run.

CVU girls soccer (2011-present)

Since 2011, the CVU girls soccer team has captured 11 D-I crowns and finished runner-up twice with seven unbeaten seasons. Stan Williams, who stepped down after the 2024 season, has helmed the majority of the run, with eight titles and a 182-9-6 record over a dozen years that includes a 61-game winning streak from 2017-2020.

CVU girls cross-country (2003-present)

Since 2003, the CVU girls cross-country running team has raced to 21 out of 23 D-I titles, including 12 in a row from 2009-2020 under former coach Scott Bliss. But Redhawks are also a regional powerhouse, with nine New England crowns (2003, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025) and five appearances at nationals (2010, 2011, 2018, 2024, 2025).

Essex girls volleyball (2016-present)

Since volleyball became a varsity sport in 2016, Essex girls volleyball has appeared in every championship game winning seven of the nine possible titles. Jen Liguori leads a team that has posted five straight undefeated seasons with an 86-game winning streak dating back to 2021.

Hartford field hockey (1994-2005)

Hartford field hockey dominated Division II winning four consecutive titles from 1994-1997 (one tie) with current head coach Heather Scudder at the helm. The Hurricanes moved up to Division I in 1998 and proceeded to advance to seven straight championship games from 1999-2005, winning six straight titles (includes one tie in in 2002).

Hartford football (2007-2012)

Between 2007-2012, Hartford football stormed to five D-I titles, including three straight from 2010-12. The Hurricanes are the lone D-I team to seize a three-peat and they owned a 27-game winning streak that stretched over four seasons. In two of their perfect seasons, the Hurricanes tallied 915 points over 22 games while rushing for 4,056 yards in 2012.

Northfield girls soccer (1995-2001)

Under coach Mike Gonneville, Northfield girls soccer ripped off a 69-game winning streak, the nation’s third longest at the time, and seven straight titles in D-III between 1995-2001. The Marauders also had a 74-game unbeaten streak snapped in 2000. Over the seven championship seasons, Northfield went 114-8-2. After losing in the semis in 2002, Northfield then proceeded to three-peat.

Stowe boys soccer (2012-2019)

Stowe boys soccer seized seven straight D-III championships between 2012-2018. Then the Raiders jumped to D-II and captured the 2019 title for eight in a row and an unbeaten season at 17-0-1. Brian Buczek led Stowe to six of those crowns and went 86-11-8 in his tenure.

BFA-St. Albans boys hockey (1973-1979)

In the early days of hockey, it’s no surprise BFA-St. Albans was the team to beat. The Bobwhites claimed seven D-I championships in a row between 1973-79, with a pair of unbeaten seasons that includes 18-0 in 1975 when they blasted Spaulding 7-3 in the final. During the seven-year run, BFA went 114-11-2.

BFA-St. Albans girls hockey (2002-present)

BFA-St. Albans has been the state’s most consistent girls hockey program since the Vermont Principals’ Association added the sport staring with the the 2001-2002 season. The Comets lead the state with 13 girls hockey championships and won the first five D-I titles (2002-2006). Longtime head coach Luke Cioffi has guided BFA to appearances in 19 of the state’s 25 championship games.

CVU girls basketball (2013-2017)

When CVU girls basketball won in 2013, the Redhawks ended a 26-year title drought. More titles and more wins kept flowing: Under coach Ute Otley‘s direction, CVU seized five straight D-I crowns and compiled a 96-game winning streak that set a Vermont all-time modern record. In four out of the five seasons, a Redhawk was named the Free Press’ Miss Basketball including Emily Kinneston in back-to-back years (2013, 2014).

Essex girls basketball (1994-1998)

Essex girls basketball dominated the sport in the late 1990s, posting back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1995 and 1996 and accumulated a 63-game winning streak. Libby Smith was the star for the Hornets during their five-year consecutive championship run. The Hornets would add their third undefeated season in four seasons in 1998 before losing in the 1999 and 2000 championship games.

Essex gymnastics (2006-2017)

Essex dominated gymnastics, winning every championship meet over a dozen years between 2006-2017. The Hornets also had every all-around state champion over their run, paced by Mary Savage (Krug), who seized four straight wins from 2006-09.

Mount Anthony boys basketball (1988-1992)

Mount Anthony boys basketball had one of Vermont’s most dominant runs in the sport capturing five straight Division I championships. During that five-year run, head coach Dave Fredrickson compiled a 102-13 record. To earn that last title in 1992, Mount Anthony rallied late in the fourth quarter and pulled away in overtime for a 56-51 win over Colchester.

Mount Anthony wrestling (1989-2025)

Mount Anthony wrestling had its remarkable championship run earlier this year. But the Patriots have truly been kings of their sport in Vermont. They seized 36 straight state titles, a national record for wrestling programs and the sixth most out of all sports according to NFHS. The Patriots, led by national coach of the year honoree Scott Legacy for the majority of their reign, also feasted on their competition out of state, racking up eight New England crowns and seven runner-up finishes since 1989.

Essex girls track and field (1985-1997)

During Essex’s girls track and field’s historic run, three different coaches — Steve Dowd, Karen Albright and Joe Gonillo — led the program, but the standard remained consistent. In Gonillo’s first season as the girls coach in 1997, Essex set a then-national record for the sport, capturing its 13th straight Division I title. During that 13-year stretch the Hornets claimed 38 individual titles and set five state records.

CVU boys lacrosse (2013-present)

Champlain Valley boys lacrosse have been a tough out come postseason time no matter its seed. The Redhawks have won 12 of the last 13 Division I lacrosse titles, including a record-setting nine in a row. The only year CVU did not win came in 2023 when they got bounced in the semifinals. Three of the Redhawks titles came when they were seeded fourth or lower including their 2025 title.

Lyndon softball (2004-2009)

For six seasons in the mid-2000s, Lyndon softball dominated the sport winning 79-straight games from 2005-2009 and four straight D-II titles. Three of those state championships were decided in one-run games. Sandwiched between that four-peat, Lyndon suffered losses in the 2004 and 2009 D-II title games.

South Burlington boys tennis (1988-1994)

The South Burlington boys tennis team went on a tear in the late 1980s-1990s with record-setting coach Steve LaTulippe who won over 200 matches during his tenure. South Burlington captured seven consecutive titles with five total undefeated seasons during its dynasty. South Burlington lead the state with 25 total boys tennis championships.

South Burlington girls tennis (1995-2006)

After finishing as the runner-ups in 1995, South Burlington girls tennis used that loss as motivation fueling an extended run where the team advanced to 12 straight championship matches, winning nine total titles under longtime coach Jake Agna, who retired prior to the 2023 season. That run also covers a five-peat from 1999-2003, during which Sara Hughes claimed four straight individual titles.

Vote for the best Vermont sports dynasty of the last 50 years

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: Vote for the best Vermont high school sports dynasty of the last 50 years powered by Delta Dental