TOP 7 FEMALE FALL SPORTS COACHES: CANTON'S WESNESKI LEADS WARRIORS TO 4TH STRAIGHT DISTRICT TITLE (2020-12-12)

Valley Sports Report
It was a complicated season for all coaches, largely due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, but these ones were able to lead their teams to success despite those barriers.

7. Heather Hanson, Athens

Hanson led the Wildcats to the District II, Class AAA title match as the seventh seed, winning two big road matches along the way. Athens also had a strong regular season, finishing third in the division.

6. Lucy Snyder, Towanda

Snyder led the revamped Knights to an NTL girls' tennis title and team berth for districts, where they gave D4 power Montgomery all they could handle.

5. Wayne Pratt, Troy

Pratt saw the Lady Trojans through a tumultuous season, one that saw them play with just half their team, then go on a multi-week break due to Covid-19. They returned to give Athens girls their first home loss in nearly a decade and helped them finish the season 4-1 to earn a playoff berth.

4. Vanessa Perez, NEB

Perez coached the Panthers to one of their best seasons in school history as they battled for the NTL Small School title. They only lost three matches during the regular season and earn a district berth for the second straight season.

3. Jim Schools, Wyalusing

The Lady Rams won their second straight division and District IV cross-country titles as they made the trip to states. They also won the NTL Invitational, the first time the Rams swept the titles under coach Schools.

2. Gary Haley, Wyalusing

In his first season, Haley led the Rams to a 9-3 NTL record as they challenged for the league crown. Wyalusing was also the first team to defeat Athens in four years when they beat them at home.

1. Sheila Wesneski, Canton

The Warriors repeated as District IV champions despite missing three weeks in the middle of their season. At one point, they won seven matches in five days to go undefeated in the NTL Division-II.