VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: TIOGA'S SICKLER HEADLINES SUPER 7 AS 'COACH OF THE SPRING' (2024-06-15)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY - Dave Sickler directed Tioga to its first Section IV boys golf title since 2019— and just the second in program history — to earn the distinction of being the Valley Sports Report 2024 "Coach of the Spring."

The Tigers also won an IAC South Small School Division title with a 10-2 regular-season duals record, then finished second at the IAC Championships.

Tioga won it Section IV title this year, in spite of stepping up a class to Class C. Sickler directed Tioga to its first-even Section IV title in 2019, piloted his team to a third-place finish in Class D in 2022, and a second-place finish in Class D last year.

Sickler also coached two of his players into the Section IV Medalist Tournament, with one — his son Evan — advancing to the New York State Championships.

2024 All-Valley Coaches of the Spring
Dave Sickler, boys golf, Tioga: See above.

Dave Hogan, boys track & field, Waverly: For the third year in a row, Hogan advanced a large contingent to States. Johnson and Chandler each advanced in the 100 and 200, and were part of the 4-x-1 relay team. The Wolverines brought home four medals this season — three gold, and a fourth-place medal.

Heather Klossner, softball, Tioga: Perhaps a year ahead of schedule with a young team, Klossner led Tioga to a 17-4 record, including an IAC South Divisional title, and an overall IAC Small School title. The Tigers won a pair of postseason games before losing to Union Springs, which it beat in the IAC title game, in the Section IV, Class C Championship game.

Kyle McDuffee, baseball, Waverly: McDuffee led the Wolverines to a 16-6 season in its first run through the STAC. Waverly advanced to the Section IV, Class B championship game for the second time in three years.

Mike Bronson, track & field, Athens: Bronson led Athens to another NTL Large School Division title, and another team title at the NTL Championships. The Wildcats also advanced Sara Bronson, who earned a fourth-place medal, to States in two individual events, as well as its 3,200-meter relay team.

Dave Shaw, flag football, Waverly: Coach David Shaw and assistant coach Peyton Miller started from scratch this spring, and despite being two years behind most of Section IV on the flag football gridiron, Waverly battled its way into the Section IV Championship game in its inaugural season, which concluded with an 8-2-3 record.

Brian Wendela, softball, Athens: The Wildcats started the season at 0-3, and 3-5, then won 9 of the final 11 games of the season to finish the regular season at 12-7. The Wildcats beat Mifflinburg, 2-1, in the District 4, Class 3A quarterfinals, before dropping a 9-8 extra-inning decision in the semifinals to Loyalsock, which reached the state quarterfinals.

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IN PHOTO: Tioga boys golf coach Dave Sickler (right), and his son, state qualifier Evan Sickler. … PHOTO PROVIDED.

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