Troy's Brendan Gilliland and Canton's Alexis McRoberts were named the Northern Tier League's Athletes of the Year for the 2025-26 athletic year.

The award was created in 2007 to honor outstanding male and female student-athletes, recognizing superior athletic skill, leadership, academic excellence and the willingness and eagerness to participate in community service.

Gilliland has distinguished himself both academically and athletically at Troy, where he currently ranks number one in his graduating class. Brendan plans to attend Bloomsburg University to pursue a career in dentistry while continuing his football career at the collegiate level. A member of the National Honor Society, he has earned widespread recognition across football, baseball, and basketball throughout his high school career. During his sophomore year, Gilliland was named NTL 1st Team in football, NTL Breakout Player of the Year, and All-State, while also earning 1st Team NTL honors in baseball and receiving Basketball's Sacrifice Player of the Year award. 

His junior season brought even greater success, including NTL 1st Team, 1st Team All-Region, WNEP Super 16 Dream Team, All-Region Athlete of the Year, Pennsylvania AA State Player of the Year, 1st Team All-State, and Offensive Player of the Year honors, while helping lead Troy to a state football championship. On the baseball field, he added NTL 1st Team, 1st Team All-Region, and PIAA District IV 2nd Team recognition.

As a senior captain, Gilliland continued to cement his legacy as one of Troy's most accomplished student-athletes. He earned 1st Team NTL honors once again, was named NTL Player of the Year, and received another 1st Team All-State football selection. In baseball, Gilliland is currently Troy's all-time hits leader with 113 hits and counting, with additional senior season honors still to come. 

Beyond athletics and academics, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving his community through involvement with the Troy Lions Club, Troy Fire Department, Adopt-a-Highway initiatives, Oak Hill Cemetery projects, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia fundraising efforts, Scholastic Book Fairs, and Croman Field Days. Brendan's leadership, work ethic, and dedication both on and off the field have made him a respected role model within his school and community.

McRoberts has established herself as one of the region's most accomplished multi-sport athletes while excelling academically and as a student leader. Throughout her high school career, McRoberts has earned elite recognition in soccer, football, basketball, and track & field. In soccer, she progressed from Northern Tier League 2nd Team honors as a freshman to becoming a two-time Northern Tier League Player of the Year, Bradford County Player of the Year, and Regional Offensive Player of the Year. 

She also earned Pennsylvania All-State honors in consecutive seasons and was twice added to Troy High School's Athletic Wall of Fame for her All-State achievements. McRoberts reached the milestone of 50 career goals and competed with the North United Valor 08 Soccer Team, which achieved a #1 ranking in Pennsylvania as well as across the United States and Canada. 

Her football accomplishments were equally groundbreaking, becoming the first female kicker in the NTL while earning NTL and Bradford County honors, setting district female kicking records, and receiving selection to the PIAA Class A Writers All-State Team. In basketball, she earned multiple NTL All-Star honors while recording 482 career rebounds in just three seasons. 

In track & field, McRoberts became a dominant thrower, winning NTL titles in discus, setting school records in both discus and shot put, qualifying for states, and earning All-State recognition while helping relay teams set school records.

Beyond athletics, McRoberts has demonstrated outstanding leadership, citizenship, and academic achievement throughout high school. She has served as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Class President while maintaining First Honor Roll status and earning Academic Letterman recognition multiple times. Alexis is also a member and Vice President of the National Honor Society and has held numerous leadership positions in organizations including Future Career and Community Leaders of America and Future Farmers of America, serving in roles such as Vice President, County Secretary, Historian, and Public Relations President. 

She earned national qualification and Gold recognition through FCCLA and was honored with the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association Good Citizenship Award. Her combination of athletic excellence, academic dedication, and leadership within her school and community has made Alexis one of the most respected student-athletes in the region.

2025-26 NTL Male Athletes of the Year Nominees

Nick Grazul - Athens

Isaiah Colton - Canton

Luke Sottolano - Cowanesque Valley

Luke Kreger - North Penn-Liberty

Andy Hermansen - North Penn-Mansfield

Eli Stanton - Northeast Bradford

Karter Green - Sayre

Kole Heyer - Towanda

Brendan Gilliland - Troy

Marek Mascho - Wellsboro

Braeden Colwell - Williamson

Ethan Vanderpool - Wyalusing

2025-26 NTL Female Athletes of the Year Nominees

Abby Burgess - Athens

Alexis McRoberts - Canton

Anna Lee - Cowanesque Valley

Haley Litzelman - North Penn-Liberty

Kameron Lightner - North Penn-Mansfield

Anaiah Kolesar - Northeast Bradford

Rylee Lantz - Sayre

Brooklyn Evans - Towanda

Brenna Jackson - Troy

Taylor Main - Wellsboro

Kenna Thomas - Williamson

Treanna Nickeson - Wyalusing

In addition to this year's Athletes of the Year, the league also recognized the Coach/Program of the Year, the Outstanding Official, and Sportsmanship Award.

Jim Shaw is this year's Official of the Year.

Northeast Bradford girls basketball head coach Ben Beebe was named this year's Coach/Program of they Year.

Sayre received the NTL Sportsmanship Award for the 2025-26 season.