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ATHENS' LISTER NAMED 2022-23 FORBES AWARD WINNER (2023-05-21)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
SAYRE — Athens senior Mason Lister joins a long list of illustrious athletes to be named the 2022-23 Forbes Award winner, an honor bestowed upon him Sunday morning at a ceremony here at the Sayre Elks Club.

The Forbes Award, first handed out in 1966, is given annually to the top boys three-sport varsity athlete from Athens, Sayre, or Waverly. The award is not based solely on athletics, but also takes into account sportsmanship, and citizenship.

“It feels great to win the Forbes Award,” said Lister. “I know there’s a great list of athletes who have won it in the past.

“One of my buddies was able to win it last year, so it feels good to be put in the same category as Karter Rude,” he added. “I couldn’t be more proud of that.”

Lister, who earned 11 varsity letters (Covid wiped out his freshman baseball season, or it likely would have been 12) was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Wildcats. He is the school record-holder with 5,555 passing yards, 66 passing TDs, and 401 completions. He also had a 109.4 QB rating.

On the hardwoods, Lister joined the 1,000-point club during his senior season, and finished his career with 1,182 points, 600 rebounds, and 334 assists. He played on an NTL Large School Division championship team, two NTL Showdown title teams, and was on the first Athens team to win a state playoff game since 1956.

On the diamonds, Lister has started at shortstop for the majority of his three-year career, and has pitched when needed.

In four years, Lister never missed a game in any sport.

“I just tried to be there for my team night-in, and night-out,” he said. “I wanted to be there every night for every game.

“I wanted to give the same energy my teammates would give,” added Lister. “They were there for me, and I wanted to be there for them. It was something we’ve been doing for four years now.”

Athens athletic director J.B. Sullivan said Lister is what his school district is all about.

“We’re very proud of Mason,” he said. “He’s an excellent example of the Athens Area School District.

“He’s been an excellent athlete, and a great teammate for a long time,” noted Sullivan. “All three of these candidates are wonderful athletes, so it’s a great honor for Mason to win it.

“And, we’re happy the Forbes Award is staying at Athens this year,” he added.

Lister will continue his football career at St. John Fisher in the fall.

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Waverly’s nominee for the Forbes Award was Ty Beeman, who was a standout in football, wrestling, and baseball.

On the gridiron, Beeman was the leading tackler for the Wolverines at linebacker in their run to a Section IV, Class C title last fall. On the mats, Beeman was a state qualifier as a junior, and went 38-7 his senior year before defaulting out of the Section IV Championships one win shy of a return to States due to illness.

On the baseball diamond, Beeman is an excellent defensive catcher, and is one of the team’s leading hitters this season at .361 with 25 RBI. On the mound, he is 5-0 with a 1.34 ERA.

Beeman will continue his baseball career next spring at Division II Mansfield University.

Sayre’s nominee was Jackson Hubbard, who was a standout in basketball, baseball, football, and golf.

Hubbard was a first-team all-state selection as a senior. He joined the 1,000-point club as a senior, and set the school’s single-game scoring record with 55 points. During his senior season, he led the Redskins to their first-ever NTL Small School Division title.

On the baseball diamond, Jackson was an NTL all-star, and a member of Sayre’s District 4 Championship team as a sophomore.

On the gridiron, Hubbard was one of the Redskins’ leading receivers as a junior.

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IN PHOTO: Athens senior Mason Lister.


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