TROY'S WOODWARD, CANTON'S MCROBERTS HIGHLIGHT AREA'S TOP ATHLETES FOR 2024-2025 SPORTS SEASON (2025-07-05)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
It was another exciting year with plenty of highs, a few lows, and thrilling action nearly every single day. The athletes that competed in the 2024-2025 school year certainly left their indelible marks on the NTL.

TOP 10 COACHES

T9. Ryan VanNoy, Canton Girls’ Basketball & Rob Gentile, Towanda Girl’s Basketball: These two led their teams to strong seasons. Canton made the state tournament for the first time in over 20 years, while Towanda made their way back to the state tournament after a quick rebuild. Both also did it with young squads, as Canton had one senior, and Towanda had none.

8. Dillon Lockwood, NEB, Cross-country: Both cross-country teams won divisional titles, and the boys’ squad took their third straight Class A, District IV title, all in his first year on the job. Lockwood also saw Creed Dewing become the first boy to be a 4-time NTL state medalist.

7. Matt Geer, Troy, Boys’ Track & Field: The Trojans took their second straight NTL title despite losing a few top performers from a year ago. Geer may have stepped down as coach but he finished on a high mark.

6. Curtis Miller, Troy, Boys’ Cross-country & Girls’ Basketball: The Troy boys’ won to their first league title in over 20 years, while the girls claimed their second straight league championship. He also moonlighted as an assistant coach on the successful baseball team.

5. Wayne Pratt, Troy, Girls’ Soccer & Softball: The soccer team earned to their fifth straight league title, and another undefeated season, as they also won their first district game in 15 years. The Lady Trojans softball wentto their first district finals appearance in 15 years, as well.

4. Bill Sexton, Towanda, Boys’ Wrestling: The Black Knights had one of the most dominant NTL seasons in recent history, while also winning the North Section title. They had four state qualifiers, with two medalists.

3. Bob Woodward, Troy, Boys’ Basketball: The Trojans dominated the league for the second year in a row, then claimed their second straight NTL Showdown title. They finished the year with their second district title in three years.

2. MaKaylah Leljedal, NEB, Softball: In the final few weeks of the season the Panthers clinched a Small School title, won the Class A District IV title, and made program history by reaching the state final.

1. Jimmy Smith, Troy, Football: The Trojans went undefeated, winning their programs, and the NTLs, first state title. They also cruised to NTL and District IV titles, claiming their second straight league title, and first D4 title since 2013.

Notables: Brett Jayne, Wyalusing, Softball…Casey Ellis, Towanda, Track & Field…Lyle Wesneski, Troy/Canton, Baseball/Wrestling…Paul Burgert, NEB, Boys’ Basketball…Abby Herman, Troy, Volleyball…Mike Maurer, Towanda, Cross-country…Vanessa Perez, NEB, Volleyball…Lucy Snyder, Towanda, Boys and Girls Tennis…Brock Nichols, Towanda, Girls’ Wrestling

TOP 7 GIRLS’ NEWCOMERS

7. Erinn Knapp, Troy, Softball: The freshman became Troy’s number one starter this year, pitching them to a District IV final. She had an ERA under one with over 100 strikeouts.

6. JC Allis, Towanda, Girls’ Wrestling: Allis battled injuries to be a regional qualifier this season. The only thing that kept her from being a state qualifier was an injury at regionals.

5. Zaelea Lane, NEB, Volleyball & Softball: It’s never too late to make an impact as this senior became a solid backline player for the district title winning Panthers on the volleyball court. In softball she became a starter in right field, holding down the position with some big catches in the state playoffs.

4. Haidyn Watson, Troy, Volleyball & Softball: Watson was a big time server for the Trojan volleyball team, while becoming a versatile player on the softball team, serving time across the infield and in the circle.

3. Kenzie Brown, Towanda, Cross-country, Girls’ Wrestling, & Track and Field: Brown was a key factor in Towanda’s NTL title winning team for cross-country, and earned a starting spot on the first ever girls’ wrestling team for the Knights. Brown was also a district qualifier in track and field.

2. Kyah Renzo, Troy, Girls’ Soccer & Basketball: Renzo was a key newcomer in the midfield for the Lady Trojans, and was one of the best sixth player off the bench for the girls’ hoops team.

1. Mary-Kate Eberlin, Towanda, Cross-country, Girls’ Basketball & Track and Field: Eberlin was a key component of the NTL winning Lady Black Knights on the country course, then transitioned to be one of the best off the bench players on the hard court. She was a 2-time district medalist in track.

Notables: Emilia Pepper, Canton…Kirra Millard, Wyalusing…Reese Sullivan, Towanda…Elizabeth Naughton, Towanda…Sophie Bennett, NEB

TOP 7 MALE NEWCOMERS

7. Reed Palmer, Troy, Football: In his first year of varsity football he made a big impact on the defensive side of things as a pass rusher, while also hauling in a few passes at tight end.

6. Hagen Jones, Towanda, Cross-country & Wrestling: Jones was a top-five runner for a Black Knight team that finished in the top five at the District IV, Class AA Championships. He also saw time on the varsity mat for the NTL title winning wrestling team.

5. Spencer Martin, Troy, Football & Basketball: Martin was a key reserve for both squads. He had a few interceptions, including a couple pick-six in the district playoff, while also having a big role off the bench for the NTL and district title winning hoops team.

4. Reese Sluyter, Towanda, Football & Wrestling: Sluyter started the first two games for the Knights on the gridiron, while filling in at receiver after that. He found his stride on the wrestling mat, earning a starting spot mid-season, and reaching regionals as an injury ended his season prematurely.

3. Trey Teribury, Troy, Basketball & Baseball: Teribury turned into a floor stretcher for the Trojans, who got better as the season went on. On the baseball diamond he was a DH who hit over .300 for a strong Troy team.

2. Gage Evans, Towanda, Football, Wrestling & Baseball: Evans became a solid offensive weapon for the Black Knights, but really showed out on the wrestling mat. He became just the second Towanda wrestler to earn a state berth, while also earning a North Section title. On the baseball team he was one of the better pinch runners on the season.

1. Boom Thompson, Towanda, Golf, Cross-country, Basketball, & Baseball: Whatever Thompson did he excelled at. He was a district qualifier on the golf team, and helped the cross-country team to a top five finish at districts. He started at point guard for a Black Knight hoops team that made their way back to the postseason, and on the baseball diamond he earned a starting role on the left side of the infield.

Notables: Owen Savercool, Towanda…Micah Pesesky, Troy…Tyler Kuhn, NEB…Clay Wilks, NEB…Shay Gartland, Wyalusing…Joseph Frye, Troy

TOP 13 FEMALE ATHLETES

13. Leah Beebe, NEB, Soccer & Basketball: On the pitch Beebe was one of the best keepers in the NTL, while in hoops she helped lead NEB to their sixth straight league title, and second straight district finals appearance, leading them in scoring.

12. Rachel Wilson, Wyalusing, Volleyball, Basketball & Softball: Wilson was a key component on the frontline for the Rams on the volleyball court. She was one of the NTL’s best rebounder and overall interior player in hoops, while on the softball field she nearly hit .400 as the clean-up hitter for a Wyalusing team that made the district semifinals.

11. Toni Herb, NEB, Volleyball & Softball: Herb was one of the best all-around players in the NTL as he led the Panthers to NTL and district titles. On the softball diamond she was one of the league’s best and most versatile defensive players, while also hitting over .300 for another NTL and district title winning team.

10. Cailyn VanNoy, Canton, Volleyball & Basketball: The sophomore was one of the better hitters in the NTL as she helped the Warriors make the district finals. On the hard courts she proved to be one of the best floor generals in the league, leading Canton to a state tournament appearance. 

9. Giana Renzi, Troy, Soccer & Basketball: Renzi was one of the best strikers in the NTL for the league champions. On the hard courts Renzi was the floor general for the league champions, and proved to be one of the best defenders in the NTL.

8. Kali Ayres, Troy, Volleyball & Softball: Ayres was a strong offensive player in both her sports. She was one of the best hitters in the NTL, leading the Trojans to an NTL title. On the softball diamond she over .500 for a Troy team that made the district finals.

7. Payton Perry, Towanda, Golf, Basketball & Softball: Perry helped the first Towanda girls’ golf team to a District IV, Class AA title in the fall. In the winter she was one of the best guards in the league, helping to lead the Knights to the state playoffs. On the softball diamond Perry hit over .300 and was one of the better shortstops in the league.

6. Lillie Maynard, NEB, Soccer, Basketball & Track and Field: Maynard was a standout in all three sports. On the pitch she was one of the best midfielders in the NTL, while in basketball she helped lead the Panthers to their sixth straight NTL as her team’s floor general. On the track she was a district qualifier in multiple mid-distance events, and a medalist in the 4x800 relay.

5. Anaiah Kolesar, NEB, Cross-country, Wrestling & Track and field: Kolesar was one of the best runners in the NTL this past fall, leading the Panthers to an NTL title. In the winter she was a regional champion on the mats, and finished fourth in the state for the second year in a row. In the spring Kolesar was a district qualifier, and earned a medal in the 4x800 relay.

4. Brynn Woodruff, Towanda, Basketball & Track and field: The top 2-sport athlete on the list. Woodruff was a force inside and out on the hard courts as the Knights made it back to the state playoffs. In the spring she became one of the best javelin throwers in the country, earning a district title, and a state silver medal.

3. Kendall Kitchen, Canton, Volleyball, Basketball & Track and Field: Kitchen was one of the best in the league in everything she did. She was one of the league’s best liberos in the NTL on the volleyball court, while in hoops she finished with over 1,000 points as she helped lead the Warriors to a state playoff berth. In the spring she ended up on the state podium for pole vault.

2. Alyssa Parks, Troy, Cross-country, Basketball & Track and Field: Parks had a stellar end to her sporting career in all three seasons. In the fall she ended up a state medalist at the Class A PIAA Championships, while in the winter Parks helped the Trojans to their second straight NTL title with her tough all-around play. In the spring she was a state medalist in the 300 hurdles, while earning a district medal in the pole vault.

1. Alexis McRoberts, Canton, Soccer, Football, Basketball & Track and Field: There wasn’t much McRoberts couldn’t do this past year. She earned two all-state nods, helped a team make states, and competed at states in the spring. In the fall she led the Trojans to another NTL title, and a district final four appearance, while also kicking for the Canton football team. She earned All-state honors in both sports. In the winter she helped the Warriors make the state playoffs with her strong inside play, while in the spring she captured the school record in discus as she took district bronze, while also earning a state berth in the shot put.

Notables: Treanna Nickeson, Wyalusing…Emily Johns, Wyalusing…Alysha Botts, Wyalusing…Addyson Bly, Wyalusing…Chloe Bennett, Wyalusing…Kylee Roy, Troy…Madelyn Seeley, Troy…Izzy Larson, Towanda…Mya Maynard, Towanda…Brynsen Vargason, Towanda…Anna Dunn, Towanda…Kiarra DeLancey, NEB

TOP 13 MALE ATHLETES

13. Ayden Hunsinger, Wyalusing, Football, Wrestling & Track and Field: Hunsinger was a constant contributor on the gridiron on both sides of the ball. In the winter he earned his career’s second state berth, while also getting a North Section title. In the spring he was a point scorer for the Rams.

12. Avery Sens, Troy, Football & Track and Field: Sens was an all-state offensive lineman for the state champions, leading one of the best rushing attacks across PA. In the spring he was a district medalist in shot put and discus, while also earning a state berth in the former.

11. Joseph Frye, Troy, Football, Basketball, Baseball & Track and Field: Frye was a contributor with every team he played on. He was a strong defensive back for the state champions, while he took over the point guard role on the hard courts. In the spring he helped Troy to an NTL title on the track, while also proving to be one of the best behind the plate on the baseball diamond.

10. Creed Dewing, NEB, Cross-country & Track and Field: Dewing was the first 4-time NTL boys’ state medalist in cross-country, leading the Panthers to NTL and district titles. In the spring he was a district medalist in the 4x800, 1600, and 800, and made states in the mile.

9. Sawyer Robinson, Towanda, Football & Wrestling: Robinson was one of the best 2-way players in the NTL on the gridiron, proving to be adept in the trenches on offense, and a strong linebacker on defense. On the mats he earned his second straight state medal, and anchored very potent Black Knight line-up.

8. Varrius Farrell, Towanda, Football & Track and Field: Farrell was one of the best 2-way players in the trenches, leading a strong offensive attack and was nearly unblockackle on the defensive side. In the spring he was a 2-time state qualifier in the discus and shot put, earning district medals in both.

7. Ben Fitch, Canton, Football, Basketball & Baseball: A 3-way start for the Warriors, Fitch proved durable and productive under center for the football team that made districts. He was one of the top scorers in the NTL on the hard courts for the Warriors, while in the spring he was a consistent performer at the top of the order as he hit over .400.

6. Brendan Gilliland, Troy, Football & Baseball: Gilliland was an unstoppable force on the grid-iron as he led the state champions in rushing, and earned all-state honors. He was also one of the pass rushers in the state. On the baseball diamond he hit .440 and had a team high 22 stolen bases for a Trojan squad that made the district semifinals.

5. Riley Vanderpool, Towanda, Football & Wrestling: The highest 2-sport athlete on the list, Vanderpool was an all-state football player as he was one of the most dynamic 2-way players in the league. On the wrestling mat he was a North Section and District IV champion, along with earning a state berth, coming up just one point short of a state medal.

4. Jack Burbage, Troy, Football, Basketball & Baseball: Burbage proved to be a strong contributor on all three teams he played on. He was an all-state linebacker on the football team as one of the best run stoppers in the state. He earned his 1,000th point on the basketball team as he helped them to NTL and District IV titles. Coming out for baseball he proved to be a good defender in the outfield, and courtesy runner on the base paths.

3. Reed Palmer, Troy, Football, Wrestling & Baseball: He was an all-state defensive lineman with his strong pass rush. In the winter he came into his own as a wrestler, earning a state berth at heavyweight. In the spring Palmer was one of the most complete players in the NTL, hitting a team leading .441 while posting a 2.41 ERA from the hill, completing a very productive sophomore season.

2. Lincoln Chimics, Troy, Football, Basketball & Baseball: Chimics was an all-state football player, proving himself a dangerous player in all three facets - offense, defense, and special teams. He was a double-digit scorer on the hard court as he helped the Trojans to NTL and District IV titles. In the spring he had a .526 OBP for the Trojans, while also showing off a flashy glove in the outfield.

1. Evan Woodward, Troy, Football, Basketball & Baseball: Woodward had on one of the best seasons a high school athlete can hope for. As quarterback he led the Trojans to the state title, earning all-state honors in the process. On the hard courts he was one of the best 2-way players in the district as he helped the Trojans to league and district titles. He joined the baseball team this spring and proved to be a strong contributor, hitting over .300 as a starter in the outfield.

Notables: Hunter House, Wyalusing…Boom Thompson, Towanda…Jack Wheaton, Towanda…Jack Tavani, Towanda…Baylee Poll, Towanda…Lawrence Halbfoerster, Canton…Josh Stanton, NEB

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