The Sports ReportsKris Harrington has taken Tioga wrestling to new heights, including two more state titles this season. He is The Sports Reports’ 2023-24 “Coach of the Winter.”
The Tigers have now won five consecutive Section IV Duals titles, and three straight State Duals title. They are currently riding a 41-match win streak.
Tioga has also won seven straight Section IV, Division 2 Championships, and five straight team title at the New York State Championships.
This year, Tioga sent 10 wrestlers to States, and all 10 brought home medals — one state champ, three runners-up, three third-place finishers, two fourth-place finishers, and a sixth-place finisher.
2023-24 All-Region Baker’s Dozen “Coaches of the Winter”
Kris Harrington, Tioga Wrestling: See above.
Lou Judson, Waverly boys basketball: Judson directed the Wolverines to an 18-4 record, and the program’s first Section IV title since 1996.
The Wolverines also won the Valley Christmas Tournament, and did not lose a game to a Class B team until the state playoffs. Waverly's only losses came to Class AA Binghamton, Class A Owego and Seton Catholic, and Class B state runner-up Marcellus.
Will Condon, Corning, bowling: Condon guided the Hawks to their first state championship in bowling. It’s the 2nd straight year a Section 4 team has won states, as the Hawks beat defending state champs Elmira in the state qualifier. Corning also won the STAC title this year.
Paul Burgert, NEB boys basketball: No team’s season hung a knife’s edge more than NEB’s, winning eight of their 12 league games by single-digits — three of them by three points or less. Burgert was able to get just enough out of his team to win its first league title since 2019.
Jay White, Athens girls wrestling: White has been instrumental in the growth of girls wrestling in the Northern Tier, with Northeast Bradford’s team this year, and Towanda’s next year off-shoots of the Athens girls program.
This season, White’s Lady Wildcats were 3-1 in Duals, won a team title at the first-ever District 4 Championships, and finished third at the PIAA Central Regionals, qualifying four girls for States. During the season, Athens won the WIlliamsport Showcase, and finished second at the Jarvis Tournament, Southern Tier Memorial, and the Coal Cracker.
Bob Woodward, Troy boys basketball: Woodward led Troy to a historically dominant NTL season. They didn’t just go undefeated, they won nearly every game in blowout fashion, and all of them by double-digits.
Bill Sexton, Towanda wrestling: After a couple years of promise, Sexton and his staff was able to meld together veterans and newcomers successfully to reclaim the NTL title, finish in the top three at the District IV Duals, win the North Section title, and get a state medalist.
Derek Bowman, Waverly boys bowling: The Wolverines finished second to Owego in their division, thanks to a pair of losses to the River Hawks during the regular season, but bounced back in the postseason.
After winning a Section IV, Class C Championship, Waverly won the Division 2 State Qualifier to punch its ticket to States. At the State Championships, the Wolverines finished second — the best finish in program history.
Andy Scott, Horseheads girls basketball: Scott directed Horseheads to STAC and Section IV titles. It’s only the second time in school history the team won both titles.
Horseheads won 16 straight going into states, the second-longest win streak in 26 seasons for Horseheads. Only lost 5 games this year, two to state champs, one to a state runner-up, one to a Catholic school power and one to Union-Endicott, which they avenged in the Section IV final.
Greg Schweiger, Newark Valley girls basketball: Schweiger led Newark Valley to a 21-2 record, including a 21-game win streak. The Cardinals were IAC South Large School and IAC Large School champion, as well as Section IV, Class B runners-up.
Marisa Allen, Williamson girls basketball: Allen and her staff directed the Warriors to 19 wins — tied for most ever in program history, and as many as the last five seasons combined. Williamson’s win total jumped from six last year to 19 this year.
Rusty Virkler, Owego boys bowling: Virkler directed Owego to a 48-2 record in the STAC, winning all 10 matches — running his career record to 146-4. The RiverHawks finished as the runners-up at STAC, Section IV Class B championships, and the Section IV, Division 2 State Qualifier.
Eric D’Arcy, Newark Valley wrestling: D’Arcy led the Cardinals to a 9-2 duals record. Despite a roster with just one senior, he led the Cardinals to a runner-up showing at the IAC championships. Newark Valley placed fifth at the Section IV Division II qualifier and ninth in the section overall, sending a pair of fourth-seeded wrestlers to states.
