THE 2023-2024 SPORTS YEAR SAW PLENTY OF ATHLETES ETCH THEIR NAMES IN SCHOOL, LEAGUE, AND DISTRICT HISTORY (2024-06-23)
BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports ReportAnother year in the books, with this year having its own personal flavor. Some programs found new ground, while others continued to build their legacies.
TOP 10 COACHES
10. Rich Rogers, Wyalusing, Football - Rogers took a flailing program and righted the ship, leading them to a winning season, a playoff berth, and getting the Bronze Helmet back - goals that seemed out of reach after the 2023 year.
9. Bill Sexton, Towanda, Wrestling - Despite having no seniors in the line-up the Black Knights returned to the top of the NTL mountain, finished third at D4 Duals, won the North Section title, sent three wrestlers to states, and saw Sawyer Robinson bring home hardware. And it looks like things are just beginning for Towanda.
8. Bob Woodward, Troy, Boys’ Basketball - Troy had an undefeated regular season, winning all of their league games by double digits as they reclaimed the NTL title, while reaching the district title game for the third year in a row.
7. Paul Burgert, NEB, Boys’ Basketball - NEB pulled out several close games to take the NTL Small School title, their first time in several years.
6. Nick Vanderpool, Wyalusing, Baseball - Despite a slow start Vanderpool led the Rams to a second straight district title, then all the way to the state final four for the first time this century.
5. Matt Geer, Troy, Track & Field - After two seasons of coming in second Geer gave the Trojans their first league title in 43 years, then saw three individuals and one relay make states.
4. Wayne Pratt, Troy, Girls’ Soccer, Softball - Pratt led the girls’ soccer team to a 4th straight league title, while the softball team were league runners-up. In districts the softball team lost in the semifinals to eventual state runners-up, South Williamsport.
3. Vanessa Perez, NEB, Volleyball - Perez led the Panthers to their program’s first league and district titles. In the D4 title match they upended league power NP-Liberty.
2. Lyle Wesneski, Troy/Canton, Baseball, Wrestling - In the winter Wesneski led Canton wrestling to a top six performance at the D4 duals, had three state qualifiers, and one state medalist in Hudson Ward. In the spring he led Troy baseball to their first league title in a generation.
1. Curtis Miller, Troy, Cross-country, Girls’ Basketball - Miller had a busy year as varsity coach for two sports and an assistant for a third. He helmed the boys’ cross-country team to a D4 runner-up finish and state appearance, while in the winter he led the girls’ team to their first league title since the mid-1990’s. In the spring he coached third base for the title winning Troy baseball team.
Notables: Jim Smith, Troy, Football…Adam Russell, NEB, Cross-country…Tyler Sechrist, Canton, Football…Mike Maurer, Towanda, Cross-country…Nick Reynolds, Wyalusing, Girls’ Basketball…Ben Beebe, NEB, Girls’ Basketball…Ben Rubert, Canton, Baseball…Brian Salsman, NEB, Baseball…MaKaylah Leljedal, NEB, Softball
TOP 10 NEWCOMERS
FEMALE
10. Brooklyn Evans, Towanda (Volleyball only) - Evans proved to be a defensive force in the middle, finishing with the second most blocks in the NTL, while providing some hitting.
9. Stella Rockwell, Canton/Troy - Rockwell contributed across three sports this past year, helping Troy soccer to another league title, coming off the bench for a Canton hoops team that made districts, and competing at districts in relays in track and field.
8. Mya Maynard, Towanda - Maynard competed in three sports, helping the soccer team make districts, was a force for the hoops team in the paint, and scored points for the track and field team in the throws.
7. Payton Perry, Towanda - Perry competed in three sports for Towanda, as well, partaking in golf during the Fall, provided some shooting for the hoops team in the winter, and batted lead-off for the district qualifying softball team in the spring.
6. Cailyn VanNoy, Canton - VanNoy competed across three sports this season. She was a contributor on a young volleyball team, an all-star on the basketball team, and scored points for the track and field team.
5. Emily Johns, Wyalusing - Johns showed promise in every sport she played this year. She was a hitter on a young volleyball team, in the winter she turned into one of the best post players in the league on the hard courts, and hit over .300 for the up-and-coming softball team.
4. Alysha Botts, Wyalusing - Botts competed in four sports during the season. She was a key member for the soccer and cross-country teams that had winning seasons, took over the point guard role for the hoops team that took third in districts, and competed on the track and field team.
3. Izzy Larson, Towanda - Larson qualified for states in two sports this season. She earned a state berth in cross-country during a tough Class 2A race, but couldn’t run at states due to an injury. She later made states in the mile during the track and field season.
2. Jaylee Ward, Canton/Troy - Ward was a big contributor across three sports this year. She helped the Troy soccer team to another league title, started on the girls’ hoops team that made districts, and was one of the best young players in the league for softball.
1. Giana Renzi, Troy - Renzi showed out in her two sports this season. She formed a formidable trio at the top of the soccer team line-up, a team that won a 4th straight league title, and she played point guard for the league winning hoops team.
Notables: Karis Flynn, Towanda…Kylie Pickett, Wyalusing (Volleyball)…Vayda Rought, Wyalusing…Cora Franklin, NEB (Wrestling)…Mackenzie Clark, NEB…Josie Ferris, Wyalusing…Lillie Maynard, NEB (Track & Field)…Melody Hakes, Towanda (Track & Field)…Nevaeh Vroman, Canton…Orissa Gardner, NEB
MALE
10. Evan Geer, Troy (Cross-country) - In his first season of cross-country Geer was one of the top runners for a Trojan team that earned a state berth.
9. Jazick Brown, Towanda - Brown was a 20-match winner for the wrestling team this past season as part of their strong freshman class.
8. Cooper Brown, NEB - Brown turned into one of the most consistent performers for the Panther hoops team this season, which included a buzzer beating win.
7. JB Burbage, Troy (Football) - Burbage stepped into the inside linebacking role and proved to be one fo the best in the NTL for one of the defense’s in the district.
6. Graham Welles, Towanda - Welles was a district qualifying golfer as a freshman, and even saw time on the varsity court for the hoops team.
5. Ben Fitch, Canton (Football) — Fitch led the Warriors’ offense, leading the team in rushing while also showing off his arm as Canton had another winning season.
4. Brayden Spencer, Towanda - Spencer was a 20-match winner for the wrestling team, and came up just short of regionals. He was also a contributor on the soccer team.
3. Tanner Vanderpool, Towanda - Vanderpool was a 34-match winner on the wrestling mat, just missing a state berth despite wrestling with a broken finger. He was also a contributor on the football team.
2. Varrius Farrell, Towanda (Track & Field) - Farrell was a natural thrower, coming up just short of the state podium in the shot put while also scoring points for the team in the discus.
1. Reed Palmer, Troy - Palmer was a big contributor for two sports this year, coming up just short of regionals in the upperclassmen heavy 215 pound weight class for wrestling, while on the baseball diamond he added some power in the middle of the line-up while being the team’s closer.
Notables: Gavyn Lykon, Troy…Joseph Frye, Troy (Boys’ Basketball)…Curtis Maynard, Towanda…Kendrick Ross, Troy…Bailey Gardner, Canton…Aiden Blokzyl, Towanda…Cameron Morey, Troy…Andrew Beers, NEB (Baseball)…Camden Coyle, Troy…Hunter House, Wyalusing (Basketball)…Eason Teribury, Troy
TOP 15 ATHLETES
FEMALE
15. Giana Renzi, Troy - See above.
14. Chloe Bennett, Wyalusing - Bennett was one of the soccer teams top goal scorers this season, while leading the Rams in scoring as they earned a D4 bronze medal. She also competed for the track and field team.
13. Lillie Maynard, NEB - Maynard was a stalwart across three sports for the Panthers. She was a key contributor on the soccer team, was a strong 2-way player in hoops, and was one of the best newcomers to track, helping their 4x800 team to a district medal.
12. Daveian Crowley, Canton - Crowley was one of the best track and field athletes this season, coming away with three D4 medals and just missing states. She’s also a contributor on the hoops team, and runs cross-country.
11. Anna Dunn, Towanda - Dunn led the league in scoring this season as she led the Knights back to the postseason on the soccer pitch. In track and field she was a district medalist in the 4x800 as the foursome missed states by six seconds.
10. Kali Ayres, Troy - Ayres was a 2-sport start who specialized in hitting. She was an outside hitter for the Troy volleyball team that made it to the district semifinals, then hit over .400 for the softball team that also made it to the D4 semifinals.
9. Brynn Woodruff, Towanda - Woodruff had a strong showing in all three sports, leading the volleyball team in hitting. In hoops he was Towanda’s leading scorer, and helped them to a district berth, while during her first year in track and field she was a district medalist in the javelin.
8. Anaiah Kolesar, NEB - Kolesar made history this year, earning a state medal in the first PIAA girls’ wrestling tournament. She also helped the NEB cross-country team to district and league titles, while earning a D4 track medal on the 4x800 team.
7. Emma Neuber, NEB - Neuber excelled in all three sports this past season. She was the main outside hitter for the volleyball team that won district and league titles, was a starter on the basketball team that won a league title and was district runners-up, and was a district medalist in track and field.
6. Kendall Kitchen, Canton - Kitchen was a big contributor in all three sports. In volleyball she had over 300 digs as the libero, was one of the league’s top scorers in hoops, and was a state qualifier in the pole vault for track and field.
5. Melanie Shumway, NEB - Shumway competed in four sports this past season. She was one of the league’s best players on the pitch in soccer, helped the cross-country team to league and district championships, hit over .400 for the district semifinalist softball team, and even scored points for the track and field team.
4. Gracelyn Laudermilch, NEB - Laudermilch was a state medalist across three sports. She was a D4 champion in cross-country, leading the Panthers to titles in the NTL and District IV. In the winter she was a state medalist in indoor track and field, while outdoor she was a state medalist in the 1600, a district champion in the 3200, and a state qualifier in the 800.
3. Olivia Haley, Wyalusing - Haley was one of the top goal scorers in the NTL for soccer, leading Wyalusing to their best season in program history. She also kicked for the football team, the second NTL girl to do so, and her extra points won the game against Athens. In the spring she was a state qualifier in the 400, and set the school record in the event as she went sub-59 seconds.
2. Alyssa Parks, Troy - Parks was one of the most versatile athletes in the area. In the fall she was a state qualifier in cross-country, while in the winter she led the Troy hoops team to an undefeated league season and NTL title. In the spring Parks made states again, this time in the 300 hurdles, while just missing a state berth in the pole vault and high jump.
1. Alexis McRoberts, Canton/Troy - McRoberts was a key contributor across four sports. In the fall she was the first female football kicker in NTL history, and had some big kicks for the Canton football team. On the soccer pitch she led Troy to their fourth straight league title. She went out for basketball, and was a contributor for a hoops team that made districts. In the spring she was a medalist in track and field in the discus, and setting the school record in the event.
Notables: Abby O’Connor, NEB…Megan King, Wyalusing…Leah Beebe, NEB…Kailyn Sterling, Troy…Lauren Ridall, Troy…Hannah Berger, NEB…Addy Bly, Wyalusing…Shay Greenland, Towanda…Izzy Larson, Towanda…Jaylee Ward, Canton…Katie Lackey, Troy…Lani Thomas, NEB...Kiarra DeLancey, NEB
MALE
15. Colin Loveland, Troy - Loveland was one of the best 2-sport athletes in the area. He was a double-digit scorer for the basketball team that went undefeated in the regular season. In the spring he was a state qualifier on the 4x100, while being a district medalist in the long jump, triple jump, and 4x400.
14. Trehnon Hugo, Wyalusing - Hugo was one of the area’s best baseball players, hitting over .450 and playing shortstop for a team that won another district title. He was also a double-digit scorer on their basketball team.
13. Lincoln Chimics, Troy - Chimics was a big contributor across three sports. He was one of the area’s best receivers in football, broke out as a scorer on the basketball team, and continued to hit well on the baseball team.
12. Sawyer Robinson, Towanda - Robinson was a key 2-way player for Towanda football, manning the line on offense, and being one of their better tacklers on defense. In the winter he was a state medalist on the wrestling mat, and a key cog for their NTL and North Section titles.
11. Brendan Gilliland, Troy - Gilliland broke out on the football field, leading the Trojans in rushing this season while also being a threat in the passing game. In baseball he was a .400 hitter and provided some pop in the middle of the order.
10. C.J. Carr, Wyalusing - Carr was one of the best wrestlers in the area, losing just one match, but his season was cut short due to injury. On the baseball diamond he did a little bit of everything - batting lead-off, pitching, and was one of the best defensive players in the league for the district champion Rams.
9. Jackson Taylor, Troy - Taylor was a 3-sport star this season. He was one of the best line-backers in the league, was one of the best defensive players in hoops, and hit just under .500 for the baseball team while providing good defense in the outfield.
8. Teagan Irish, Towanda - Irish was a strong contributor across three sports this season. He was a district qualifier in golf, led Bradford County in scoring in hoops, and played shortstop, along with excelling on the mound, on the baseball diamond.
7. Evan Woodward, Troy - Woodward led the football team to an undefeated regular season and the D4 title game with his play at quarterback and safety, then quarterbacked the hoops team to another undefeated regular season and district final appearance.
6. Creed Dewing, NEB - Dewing was a state medalist and district champion in cross-country, leading the runners to league and district titles. In track and field he was a 3-time district medalist, and a state qualifier in the 1600.
5. Varrius Farrell, Towanda - Farrell was one of the top linemen in the league for a Towanda team that had a winning record and made districts. In the spring he qualified for states in the shot put, just missing the podium, while also scoring points in the discus. He competed for the NTL championship wrestling team, too.
4. Jack Burbage, Troy - Burbage was a 2-sport star for the Trojans. He was one of the league’s best linebackers on a Troy team that went undefeated in the regular season and made the district final. He was the leading scorer for the hoops team that did the same - went undefeated in the regular season and made a district final.
3. Riley Vanderpool, Towanda - Vanderpool excelled in both of his sports. He was one of the best 2-way players in the district on the gridiron, leading the Knights to a winning season and a playoff berth. On the wrestling mat he led Towanda to a league and sectional titles, while also coming up just short of a state medal.
2. Holden Ward, Canton - Ward was a key contributor across three sports for the Warriors. He was one of the better defensive players in the league in football, then helped Canton to a top-6 D4 duals performance while earning a state berth. On the baseball diamond he was the Player of the Year, leading the Warriors to another NTL Small School title.
1. Hudson Ward, Canton - Ward excelled in whatever he competed in. He was the Defensive Player off the Year in football, finishing with 150 tackles. In wrestling he got that elusive state medal while helping Canton to another successful dual meet season. In the spring he hit just under .400 as the Warriors claimed another NTL Small School title.
Notables: Dylan Johns, Wyalusing…Nick Vanderpool, Wyalusing…Avery Sens, Troy…Jacob Hinman, Troy…Ben Warburton, Troy…Mason Higley, Towanda…Josh Stanton, NEB…Jed Feldmieier, Troy…Michael Davis, Canton…Jack Wheaton, Towanda…Brady Spalding, Troy…Trennan Tewksbury, Wyalusing…Hunter House, Wyalusing…Clayton Smith, Troy
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