EXHILARATING PERFORMANCES FOR THE SPRING SEASON OF 2025 (2025-06-28)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
It was a thrilling spring season, even if the weather left many feeling a little water logged. Things definitely heated up by the postseason, though, with plenty of exciting moments.

Top 5 Moments

5. Several near misses at District IV Track and Field Championships - While there were plenty of state qualifiers, there could have been so many more. The most heartbreaking moment had to have been Towanda girls’ 4x800 missing states by .01 seconds, a small margin even for 100 meters, let alone a race of two miles. Canton’s Alexis McRoberts just missed states by 1-inch in discus, though did make states in the shot put. Troy’s Alyssa Parks and Towanda’s Marin Maynard both just missed states in the pole vault, with Troy’s Evan Geer (800), and Kylee Roy (100 hurdles), and Canton’s Lawrence Halbfoerster (1600, 3200), also having near misses in their races.

4. Troy edges Towanda in playoff walk-off - Troy had big wins in the first two meetings but Towanda jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the first. All three pitchers - Jack Tavani (Towanda), Cam Allen (Troy), and Joseph Frye (Troy) - did well despite not piling up the strikeouts. They went back and forth with Troy making it 3-3 in the fourth. Then, in the bottom of the seventh, a 2-out Brendan Gilliland single drove in Evan Woodward for the playoff win. It was the type of the game that high school players dream of being in.

3. Troy softball edges Northwest to make their first district final in 14 years - A run scoring Marlee Stanton double in the top of the sixth proved to be the difference between the second and third seeds. Freshman starter Erinn Knapp went the distance with no walks, and just five hits while striking out seven. In a season where Troy was in plenty of close games that went both ways, this was one that the senior-led team will always remember.

2. Area athletes’ medal haul at PIAA Track and Field Championships - There were plenty of strong performances at states this year, highlighted by Towanda’s Brynn Woodruff taking home silver in the javelin. NEB’s Gracelyn Laudermilch (3200), Troy’s Alyssa Parks (300 hurdles), and Kendall Kitchen (pole vault) all earned medals on the girls’ side, while for the boys Troy’s Ben Warburton (long jump), and Wyalusing’s Dylan Johns (high jump) scored some hardware, as well.

1. NEB’s run to the state finals - NEB had one of the most exciting, and improbable, runs in the state playoffs for softball. After winning the district title they rolled to a win over Greenwood (17-2) in their final home of the game season. Then came the fireworks, beginning with a 4-3 walk-off win over Dock Mennonite on a Kiarra DeLancey hit in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals they edged Claysburg-Kimmel 1-0 as Hannah Berger had the game winning hit, but this time they had to hold CB in the bottom of the seventh. After two once in a lifetime type playoff wins NEB fell to a hard hitting Union, but the senior-laden team showed just what they could on the big stage.

Top 5 Storylines

5. Troy baseball battles for NTL title - It was a 3-team race for the NTL Large School title on the baseball diamond. Defending league champs Troy had two early set backs against Athens and NP-Mansfield, but recovered to win six streak league games after that, including an 8-4 win over eventual champs Athens. Another close loss to NPM ended their chances at a league title, but they finished strong, including a big win over eventual District IV, Class A champions CV.

4. The NTL plethora of boys’ high jumpers - It was quite the year to be a fan of the high jump this season. There was one state medalist (Wyalusing’s Dylan Johns), one district champion (Athens’ Jace Babcock), another state qualifier (NPM’s Luke Kreger), plus Troy’s Kendrick Ross setting a new school record of 6-feet, 5-inches. Plenty of other athletes showed off their hops during the season as each took turns trying to best each other, even if the weather conditions weren’t ideal for jumping.

3. Troy track and field repeats as NTL Champions in the rain - Things looked a little dicey for the Trojans as they lost a dual meet against Athens during the year, while Wellsboro also looked strong. However, on the day of the meet Troy was able to battle through the rain. In the end they won comfortably, pulling away with 137 points, well ahead of Athens (114). They got league titles from Ben Warburton, Cameron Morey, Evan Geer, and Rylan Breidt. 

2. Towanda’s Brynn Woodruff shows off javelin success - Right from the start Woodruff saw javelin throwing success, breaking the school record in her first throw of the year. She continued to get better - at one point hitting a top 25 mark in the country - and claimed the District IV title in a very competitive field. It culminated with a state runner-up performance, as she finished the year as strong as she started.

1. Exciting softball season from start to finish - It was a crazy softball year from start to finish. If the game involved any of these teams - Athens, NP-Liberty, Troy, Wyalusing, Towanda, NEB, or Williamson - it was likely to be a barn burner. The Wildcats pulled out the NTL Large School title, while Troy, Wyalusing, Towanda, and NPL took teams beating each other throughout the year. In Small School NEB clinched the title on the final day of the regular season, launching them to the state finals run. Safe to say, it was Christmas in Spring for high school softball fans.

Top 7 Coaches

7. James Schools, Wyalusing, Track & Field - The long tenured coach was able to turn a thin boys’ roster into a top four finish at the NTL Championships, while seeing Dylan Johns reach the podium at the state championships in the high jump. He did all this despite some off the track issues this season.

6. Karl Raffin, Towanda, Baseball - Towanda ended their playoff drought this season, and nearly knocked off third seeded Troy in the opening round of the playoffs. Sitting at 4-5 midway through the season, Towanda used win streak of five and three games to make the playoffs as Raffin and his staff found the right mix of youth and veterans to get there.

5. Lyle Wesneski, Troy, Baseball - Troy took third in the NTL Large School standings, while reaching the district semifinals as they fell to eventual state runners-up Mt. Carmel. The Trojans went 15-5 this season to capture the third seed in the district standings for Class AA behind a veteran team.

4. Casey Ellis, Towanda, Track & Field - In his first season as coach the girls’ team competed for the NTL championship, taking third, while they saw three state qualifiers in Brynn Woodruff, Varrius Farrell, and Izzy Larson. School records also fell during the season, as he and his staff kept the standards despite a new face at the top.

3. Brett Jayne, Wyalusing, Softball - After the first four games it looked liked it was going to be a long season for the Rams, but they regrouped to not just make the playoffs, but reach the district semifinals, where they ultimately fell to the state runners-up, South Williamsport. They had two 6-game win streaks during the season as they went 12-8 overall.

2. Matt Geer, Troy, Track & Field - Geer led the Troy boys’ track and field team to back to back league titles, and coached two state medalists this year (Ben Warburton, Alyssa Parks), and another state qualifier (Avery Sens). He and his staff kept things going this season despite having the target on their backs.

1. MaKaylah Leljedal, NEB, Softball - After an up-and-down regular season the Panthers were able to pull out a league title, and didn’t stop there, claiming their first district title in seven years, and making the state finals for the first time in program history. Leljedal pulled all the right levers in getting the team to make history.

Notables: Wane Pratt, Troy, Softball…Caitlyn Crawford, Towanda, Softball…Casey Aylesworth, Canton, Track & Field…Sandy Morris, NEB, Track & Field

Top 5 Girls’ Newcomers

5. Emilia Pepper, Canton, Track & Field - Pepper was a top 16 shot putter in the district as a freshman, throwing over 30-feet.

4. Kirra Millard, Wyalusing, Softball - Millard nailed down the catcher’s spot for Wyalusing as a sophomore, and hit .259 on the year as a first year starter. 

3. Haidyn Watson, Troy, Softball - Watson hit .300 with five doubles, 8-RBI, and 12 runs scored, while also being a versatile defender for the Trojans.

2. Mary-Kate Eberlin, Towanda, Track & Field - Eberlin was a district medalist in the 800, and a key cog in their district medaling 4x800 relay that was just short of a state berth.

1. Erinn Knapp, Troy, Softball - Knapp pitched the Trojans to a district finals appearance, finishing the year with an ERA under one and over 100 strikeouts on the season.

Notables: Sophie Bennett, NEB, Track & Field…Kenzie Brown, Towanda, Track & Field

Top 5 Boys’ Newcomers

5. Trey Teribury, Troy, Baseball - Teribury hit .340 as a designated hitter for the Trojans with 12-RBI and 17 runs scored.

4. Jack Burbage, Troy, Baseball - Burbage hit .300 in limited plate appearances with his speed an asset on the base paths with three doubles and as a courtesy runner.

3. Boom Thompson, Towanda, Baseball - An everyday starter for the Knights in multiple positions, he hit .235 with 20 runs scored.

2. Evan Woodward, Troy, Baseball - Woodward settled in as an everyday starter for the Trojans, hitting .317 with 18 runs scored, and 17-RBI.

1. Joseph Frye, Troy, Track & Field - The senior’s first year of track and field since junior high, Frye was a district qualifier in the long jump, 100, and 200 while helping the Trojans to another team title.

Notables: Gage Evans, Towanda, Baseball…Lance Heasley, Troy, Baseball…Manuel Halbfoerster, Canton, Track & Field…Mason Stierly, Canton, Baseball

Top 10 Female Athletes

10. Izzy Larson, Towanda, Track & Field - A state qualifier in the 1600, she was also big part of their strong 4x800 relay as a standout 800 runner.

9. Alexis McRoberts, Canton, Track & Field - She was a state qualifier in the shot put, though she was a better discus thrower during the year, setting a new school record.

8. Tae-Lynn Brabant, Towanda, Softball - Brabant was strong in the circle with an ERA of just over two while striking out 80. She also hit .292 with 12-RBI and 11 runs scored for the Knights.

7. Kelsea Moore, NEB, Softball - Moore hit .387 with seven doubles, two home runs, 19-RBI, and 17 runs scored, while in the circle she pitched the Panthers to the state final with 97 strikeouts in over 70-innings.

6. Kendall Kitchen, Canton, Track & Field - Kitchen was a state medalist in the pole vault, taking eighth, while also being a contributor in the sprints for the Warriors.

T-4. Kali Ayres, Troy & Addyson Bly, Wyalusing, Softball - Two of the premier hitters in the league. Ayres hit .518 with, five home runs, and 30-RBI, while Bly batted .484, with 20 runs scored, and four doubles, two triples, and two home runs.

3. Gracelyn Laudermilch, NEB, Track & Field - Laudermilch was a state medalist in the 3200, along with being a state qualifier in the 800 and 1600.

2. Brynn Woodruff, Towanda, Track & Field - Woodruff was one of the premier javelin throwers in the country, earning a silver medal at the PIAA Championships, while also winning a district title.

1. Alyssa Parks, Troy, Track & Field - Parks could do it all for Troy. She was a state medalist in the 300 hurdles (sixth), a district medalist in the pole vault, a district qualifier in the high jump, and had one of the fastest 400 times in the district this season.

Notables: Hannah Berger, NEB, Softball…Lauren Ridall, Troy, Softball…Aleah Johnson, Towanda, Softball…Jaylee Ward, Canton, Softball…Rachel Wilson, Wyalusing, Softball…Kylee Roy, Troy, Track & Field…Marin Maynard, Towanda, Track & Field

Top 10 Male Athletes

10. Avery Sens, Troy, Track & Field - Sens was a state qualifier in the shot put, while also being a district medalist in the discus.

9. Joseph Frye, Troy, Track & Field/Baseball - Frye was a district qualifier in three different events for track and field, while also holding things down behind the plate for Troy while hitting .317 with 21 runs scored, and 17-RBI.

8. Creed Dewing, NEB, Track & Field - Dewing was a state qualifier in the 1600, while also earning a district medal in the 800 and the 4x800 relay.

7. Camden Allen, Troy, Baseball - The senior posted a 2.62 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 42 2/3-innings of action.

6. Baylee Poll, Towanda, Boys’ Tennis - Poll went undefeated in the NTL, while reaching the quarterfinals of the District IV Singles Tournament.

5. Varrius Farrell, Towanda, Track & Field - Farrell was a state qualifier in both the shot put and discus this season, winning NTL titles in both.

4. Kenny Mapes, Wyalusing, Baseball - Mapes hit .520 on the year with five doubles, four home runs, 10-RBI, and 14 runs scored.

3. Reed Palmer, Troy, Baseball - A do-it-all for the Trojans. Palmer had a 2.41 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 29-innings on the mound, while at the plate he hit .441 with 27-RBI, 27 runs scored, seven doubles, and two home runs.

2. Dylan Johns, Wyalusing, Track & Field - Johns took sixth at the PIAA Championships in the high jump for the Rams to get on the state podium. He was also a point scorer in the javelin and 4x100 relay.

1. Ben Warburton, Troy, Track & Field - Warburton was a district champion in the long jump and 200, earning a fourth place finish at states in the long jump. He was also the team’s biggest point scorer at the NTL Championships. 

Notables: Ben Fitch, Canton, Baseball…Brendan Gilliland, Troy, Baseball…Jack Wheaton, Towanda, Baseball…Lawrence Halbfoerster, Canton, Track & Field

LOOKING AHEAD

BASEBALL

A good season for TROY in 2025, though they probably would have liked to repeat as league champs. They’ll have enough pieces going into 2026 to get back on top as they return Reed Palmer, Brendan Gilliland, and Mason Smith to build around. They will have plenty of holes to fill in the outfield, and behind the plate…It was a bounce back season for TOWANDA, who got back into the district playoffs. This was a veteran team, though, so coach Karl Raffin is hoping this year’s success rubs off on his underclassmen. Boom Thompson, Wil Shrawder, and Gage Evans will return next year to try and keep things rolling. Their biggest need will be on the mound as they lose several arms…It wasn’t the year CANTON wanted in 2025 as injuries plagued them all season. They lose all their key contributors to graduation, so this year’s underclassmen at the bottom of the order will be moving up to the top. One key returnee will be Bailey Gardner, who showed off some power…It was a rebuilding year for WYALUSING, and they hope they did enough to be competitive for next season. They lose several big contributors but return much of a line-up that improved as the season went on…NEB had the worst season of all, since they didn’t have one. They’ll hope to get back on the field in 2026 as they get an infusion of junior high talent.

SOFTBALL

NEB’s senior led team certainly made their mark this year with a trip to the state finals, but it might be awhile before they start dreaming of that again. They lose six starters, including both pitchers. They do bring back big bat Orissa Gardner, who hit over .400, so that’ll be one place to start in 2026…TROY reached their first district title game since 2011, but also say good-bye to a deep and talented senior class. Fortunately for them they do get their pitcher back in Erinn Knapp, and Haidyn Watson proved to be a talented player that can be plugged anywhere, giving them a nice core to rebuild around…It was a strong end to the season for WYALUSING as they say good-bye to a few key seniors, including Rachel Wilson. They return their battery of Addison Fluck and Kirra Millard, along with big bat Addyson Bly, giving them plenty to build around for 2026…TOWANDA is in a similar boat, losing seniors Aleah Johnson, Tae-Lynn Brabant, and Kynlee Kunkle. However, they have plenty of bats coming back, led by Brynsen Vargason and Payton Perry, as they look to develop more pitching for 2026…It was another rebuilding year for a youthful Canton team. They return Jaylee Ward, one of the NTL’s best players, but need to find some pitching. If they can make the district playoffs, they could make some noise considering they beat district runners-up Bucktail during the regular season.

BOYS’ TRACK & FIELD

TROY repeated as league champs, but things will be tougher in the 2026. They lose their biggest point scorer in Ben Warburton, along with several others. They do bring back jumpers Kendrick Ross and Cameron Morey, a starting point for them to build off of…WYALUSING got a new state medalist in Dylan Johns, who returns in 2026, but say good-bye to stalwarts James Rogan and Zibiah Walton. They’ll be looking for some of the younger kids to step up to replace them next year…CANTON saw Lawerence Halbfoerster just miss states, and he’ll have a one more chance in 2026. They also return several newcomers to try and build some depth…For NEB they say good-bye to several key seniors, including multiple-state qualifier Creed Dewing. They’ll be looking towards Brody Bennett, Lex Cragle, and Dan Barrett to carry things forward…TOWANDA says good-bye to Varrius Farrell, but district medalist Jazick Brown returns in the sprints. They also have a plethora of throwers to pick up where Farrell left off.

GIRLS’ TRACK & FIELD

TOWANDA came close to knock off Athens for the NTL title, and should be in good position to finally climb that mountain in 2026. State silver medalist Brynn Woodruff, and state qualifier Izzy Larson both return, and they have plenty of talent coming up from the junior high ranks…NEB says good-bye to state medalist Grace Laudermilch, along with some other point scorers. They do return hurdler Mallorie Maynard, along with runner Anaiah Kolesar, as they move forward in 2026…Kendall Kitchen finally got her state medal her senior year for CANTON, but they see Alexis McRoberts coming back, who qualified for states in the shot put. They also have another stronger thrower in Emilia Pepper, too…It was a rebuilding year for WYALUSING in 2025, with some depth across the board but will be looking to develop that into district competitors in 2026…TROY says good-bye to state medalist Alyssa Parks, but Kylee Roy, who just missed a state berth, comes back. They also have some more talent waiting in the wings as they look to be more competitive in the league.

BOYS’ TENNIS

TOWANDA cobbled together a strong season, competing for the NTL title and earning a district team berth. They say good-bye to Rian Hennessy, but number one Baylee Poll returns, along with fellow singles player Matrix McCarter, giving them a good core for next season.

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