VERMONT — The Vermont Sports Media Association recently named Middlebury College standout and Middlebury native Katie Ritter as its Female March Athlete of the Month.
Also honored in statewide balloting of VSMA members was Rice Memorial High School junior Kendrick Gray as the March Male Athlete of the Month.
Ritter, a former three-season Middlebury Union High School standout and May graduate of Middlebury College, led the Panther women to a 7-0 record in March, during which she was the team’s leading point-getter with 18 goals and 11 assists. A two-way midfielder, she also typically covered opponents’ leading scorers.
Ritter was ultimately named a first-team NCAA Division III All-American and helped Middlebury reach the NCAA Final Four. The team captain finished the season with a team-high 72 points on 41 goals and a team-high 31 assists, added 30 ground balls and 27 draw controls, and caused 15 turnovers.
Gray, one of the most sought-after Vermont basketball prospects in recent memory, put on a show at the Division I Final Four at the University of Vermont as he helped Rice claim the title.
In the semifinals, the junior tallied 26 points and 10 rebounds, sealing the win with an empathic two-handed stuff on a fast break. In the final against rival Burlington, Gray led Rice with 19 points to go along with seven rebounds and added another late-game jam to wrap up the Green Knights’ third straight championship.
Also nominated for the March male honor were two other high school basketball players, Proctor junior Nick Swane and Enosburg sophomore Calvin Carter; Essex High School junior hockey player Erik Short; and Middlebury College senior skier Rob Cone.
More information about the VSMA is available from organization president Josh Kaufmann of the St. Albans Messenger at [email protected].