THE SPORTS REPORTS: ATHENS' BRONSON TOPS LIST OF ALL-REGION FEMALE 'NEWCOMERS OF THE FALL;' TWO FROM WEST RECOGNIZED (2021-12-18)

The Sports Reports
There were some pretty impressive performances turned in by girls varsity newcomers this fall, but none more so than Athens freshman Sara Bronson, who is The Sports Reports’ 2021 Female “Newcomer of the Fall.”

During the regular season, Bronson won the Tom Koons Valley Invite, finished third at Owego Invite, 11th at the McDaniel-Baxter Pre-State Invitational at Chenango Valley State Park, and 12th at prestigious McQuaid Invitational.

In the postseason, Bronson won the NTL Coaches Invite, finished ninth at the District 4 Championships, and was 99th at the PIAA Championships.

The 2021 “Baker’s Dozen Female Newcomers of the Fall”
Sara Bronson, freshman, Athens cross country: See above.

Paige Logsdon, freshman, Wellsboro volleyball:, A force at the net, Logsdon registered 125 kills and 92 blocks in 82 sets. She also had 78 service points, including 30 aces.

Macy Karpowich, junior, Horseheads volleyball: Karpowich was a force as a middle hitter for the Blue Raiders and got better as the season went on. She had 31 blocks, and had 140 kills. … She was dominant in the postseason for the Blue Raiders, and helped them go unbeaten in the regular season, win the STAC title, the Section 4 title and make the regional final.

Maggie Hamed, 8th-grader, Owego volleyball: Hamed was the Indians' kill leader most games even with setting out of the back row. Her 138 kills, 180 assists and 10 blocks helped the team win yet another Section IV Class B championships.

Alyssa Parks, freshman, Troy cross country: Parks placed second at NTL Invite, and second at the District 4 Championships. She was consistently Troy's top runner, leading them to an NTL title.

Katie Miley, 8th-grader, Horseheads soccer: Miley was a force in the midfield for the Blue Raiders this season. While she was one of the youngest players in the STAC, she played with a maturity you see in seniors. She is an athletic player that held her own against anyone in the league.

Brilynn Belles, 8th-grader, Waverly volleyball: Brilynn Belles was a demon on the service line with 165 service points, including 72 aces. She also had a team-high 170 digs.

Keri Wesneski, junior, Canton volleyball: Wesneski registered 99 Kills and 171 digs, and was an integral component in Canton’s run to the PIAA, Class A semifinals.

Peyton Shaw, sophomore, Waverly volleyball: Developing into a force at the net, the athletic Shaw had 128 points, including 35 aces, 90 kills, 15 blocks, and 37 digs.

Ajsa Zakova, senior, S-VE volleyball: A foreign exchange student, Zakova stepped in to become a team leader and one of the top setters in the area. She set a school record for assists with 224, and also had 43 service aces, 75 digs, 37 kills and 12 blocks.

Gracelyn Laudermilch, freshman, Northeast Bradford cross country: Laudermilch led NEB to NTL title, a second-place finish at Districts, and 10th-place showing at States. Was their top runner when she ran, missed a month due to  injury, but ran on a broken foot at districts and states.

Hanalee Cleveland, sophomore, Wellsboro golf: In nine matches, she had a 97 scoring average, which was 12th in NTL among boys and girls. Her low round was 86.

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IN PHOTO: Athens freshman Sara Bronson. … SPORTS REPORT STOCK PHOTO.