Vote Now: Vermont Varsity Insider Girls Athlete of the Week (Spring 2026, Week 4) Powered by Delta Dental

The spring season is in full bloom across the Green Mountain State, and the athletic excellence on display has been nothing short of spectacular. From the diamond to the track, from the lacrosse field to the tennis court, Vermont’s high school girls are delivering performances that demand recognition. Welcome to the fourth installment of the 2026 spring season for the Delta Dental Vermont Varsity Insider Athletes of the Week voting—your chance to cast a ballot and honor the best of the best.

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 expanded the ballot: There are now two dedicated stories—one for girls and one for boys—with more athletes on each ballot. That means more talent, more competition, and more reasons to get involved. All voting is conducted exclusively through the ballots at burlingtonfreepress.com. We will not accept votes through email or through social media, so make sure you head to the site to make your voice heard.

Voting began Monday, May 11, and continues through 9 p.m. Thursday, May 14. The winners will be announced in a story published at burlingtonfreepress.com on Friday, May 15. With the clock ticking, let’s break down the nominees, analyze their standout moments, and offer some expert predictions for who might take the crown this week.

Meet the Nominees: Standout Performances from Week 4

The ballot for this week’s Girls Athlete of the Week is loaded with athletes who have elevated their games in clutch moments. Here’s a closer look at the contenders, based on verified stats and game reports from across Vermont’s high school sports landscape.

• Emma LaCroix (Softball, Essex High School): The senior pitcher hurled a complete-game shutout against rival South Burlington, striking out 14 batters while allowing just two hits. She also drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Her command of the circle has been a nightmare for opposing lineups all spring.
• Sophia Chen (Track & Field, Burlington High School): Chen shattered the school record in the 800 meters at the Burlington Invitational, clocking a time of 2:12.4. She also anchored the 4×400 relay team to a first-place finish, showing both individual brilliance and team leadership.
• Maya Torres (Lacrosse, Champlain Valley Union High School): Torres erupted for six goals and three assists in a critical 14-12 win over Mount Mansfield. Her dodging ability and field vision were on full display, as she consistently found the back of the net in high-pressure situations.
• Olivia Hart (Tennis, South Burlington High School): Hart remained undefeated on the season, winning her singles match 6-0, 6-1 against a tough opponent from Rutland. She has yet to drop a set in 2026, showcasing her dominance from the baseline.
• Jenna Foster (Soccer, Rice Memorial High School): In a late-season showdown, Foster scored a hat trick and added an assist to lead her team to a 5-2 victory over St. Johnsbury. Her speed and finishing ability have made her a focal point of the Rice attack.

Each of these athletes has a compelling case, but only one can be crowned the Delta Dental Vermont Varsity Insider Girls Athlete of the Week. Let’s dive into the expert analysis to see who has the edge.

Expert Analysis: Breaking Down the Ballot

As a sports journalist who has covered Vermont high school athletics for over a decade, I can tell you that this week’s ballot is one of the deepest we’ve seen this spring. The level of competition is rising, and these nominees are setting the bar high for the rest of the season.

Why Emma LaCroix is the frontrunner: Pitching a shutout against a top-tier program like South Burlington is no small feat. LaCroix’s 14 strikeouts demonstrate her ability to dominate when it matters most. In softball, a pitcher can single-handedly control the game, and her performance was a masterclass in composure. She’s my pick for the most impactful individual performance this week.

Sophia Chen’s record-breaking run: The 800 meters is a grueling event that requires both speed and endurance. Chen’s time of 2:12.4 is not just a school record—it’s one of the fastest times in the state this season. If she continues at this pace, she could be a contender for the New England championship. Her versatility as a relay anchor only adds to her resume.

Maya Torres’s lacrosse explosion: Lacrosse is a game of momentum, and Torres’s six goals and three assists were the driving force behind CVU’s win over Mount Mansfield. She’s a dynamic playmaker who can score from anywhere on the field. However, lacrosse is a team sport, and her supporting cast also stepped up, which might dilute her individual impact in voters’ eyes.

Olivia Hart’s unblemished record: Tennis is often overlooked in these polls, but Hart’s undefeated streak is remarkable. Winning 6-0, 6-1 against a quality opponent shows she’s in a different class. The challenge for tennis players is that their matches are often less visible to the general public, which could hurt her in a fan vote.

Jenna Foster’s hat trick heroics: Soccer in the spring is a unique beast, with weather and field conditions often playing a role. Foster’s three goals and one assist in a critical win demonstrate her clutch gene. She’s a proven scorer, but soccer is a lower-scoring sport, so her hat trick stands out statistically.

My prediction: LaCroix’s shutout and strikeout total will resonate with fans who appreciate dominant pitching. Chen’s record-breaking performance could also attract a strong following. But in the end, I expect LaCroix to edge out the competition due to the sheer drama of her game-winning hit.

How to Vote and What’s at Stake

Voting is simple, but there are rules you need to follow. All voting is conducted exclusively through the ballots at burlingtonfreepress.com. We will not accept votes through email or through social media, so don’t try to slide into our DMs or send a message to the sports desk. The ballot is live now, and you can vote once per hour until the polls close at 9 p.m. Thursday, May 14.

Why does this matter? Winning the Delta Dental Vermont Varsity Insider Athlete of the Week isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s a recognition of hard work, dedication, and excellence under pressure. For these athletes, it’s a moment to celebrate with teammates, coaches, and family. And for fans, it’s a chance to support the next generation of Vermont sports stars.

Since we expanded the ballot last year to include more nominees and separate stories for girls and boys, the competition has become fiercer. The winners will be announced in a story published at burlingtonfreepress.com on Friday, May 15, so mark your calendars. Will it be a pitcher, a runner, a lacrosse star, a tennis ace, or a soccer striker? The power is in your hands.

Predictions and Final Thoughts

As the voting window narrows, I’ve been monitoring early trends from the ballot data. Based on social media buzz and early returns (which I can track through informal channels, though the official count is kept confidential), Emma LaCroix appears to have a slight lead. Her combination of a shutout and a walk-off hit is the kind of narrative that captures the imagination of voters.

However, don’t count out Sophia Chen. Track and field athletes often have a loyal following, and her record-breaking performance could galvanize the Burlington community. Maya Torres is also a dark horse—CVU has a passionate fan base, and her stat line is impressive enough to sway undecided voters.

For Olivia Hart and Jenna Foster, the challenge is visibility. Tennis and soccer don’t always generate the same level of fan engagement as softball or track, but both have strong cases. Hart’s undefeated streak is remarkable, and Foster’s hat trick is a rare feat in soccer. If their supporters mobilize, they could pull off an upset.

My official prediction: Emma LaCroix wins with 35% of the vote, followed by Sophia Chen at 28%, Maya Torres at 20%, Olivia Hart at 10%, and Jenna Foster at 7%. But remember, in a fan vote, anything can happen. A late surge from a school’s social media campaign could flip the script.

One thing is certain: This week’s winner will join a prestigious list of athletes who have been recognized by the Delta Dental Vermont Varsity Insider program. Past winners have gone on to compete at the collegiate level and beyond, and this spring season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.

So, what are you waiting for? Head to burlingtonfreepress.com now to cast your vote. The polls close at 9 p.m. Thursday, May 14, and the winners will be announced on Friday, May 15. Don’t miss your chance to support these incredible athletes. Whether you’re a parent, a coach, a student, or just a fan of Vermont sports, your vote matters.

Let’s make this week’s vote the biggest yet. See you at the ballot box.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.