VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: WAVERLY'S RECORD-SETTING JOHNSON NAMED 'BOYS ATHLETE OF SPRING' (2024-06-17)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY - Waverly senior Ralph Johnson capped his high school career with three gold medals at the New York State Track & Field Championships, then a record-breaking run to finish third at the New Balance Outdoor Track & Field Nationals. He is the Valley Sports Report 2024 "Boys Athlete of the Spring."

Johnson, who was unbeaten during the regular season, won a STAC title in the 100-meter dash, then followed it up with first-place finishes in the 100 and 200 at the Section IV, Class C meet, and the State Qualifier.

After a false-start cost Johnson, who had the fastest time in the prelims, a shot at a gold medal at States in the 100, he won the NYSPHSAA and Federation (combined Division 1 and 2) gold medals in the 200.

Johnson ended the season with the school record in the 100 at 10.65 seconds, and in the 200 at 21.52 seconds.

Johnson earned his third gold medal in the 400-meter relay, teaming with Watson, senior Micah Chandler, and junior Kolsen Keathley. The relay also earned a fourth-place medal in the Federation race.

Johnson capped his high school career by smashing the Waverly school and Section IV records in the 200-meter dash at the New Balance Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

Johnson, who had Waverly’s school record of 21.52 seconds in the 200, ran a 21.15 in the New Balance preliminaries, then lowered the record again in the finals, clocking in at 21.08 seconds to finish third in the nation. He also finished 32nd in the 100 in 10.73 seconds.

The 2024 All-Valley Boys "Athletes of the Spring"
Ralph Johnson, senior, Waverly track & field: See above.

Micah Chandler, senior, Waverly track & field: Chandler was a consistent points-winner for the Wolverines, winning the 100 or 200 when Johnson didn’t run, and finishing off an amazing 1-2 punch when he did.

Chandler qualified for States by hitting the Super Standard in the 100 and 200 during the regular season. Chandler won the 200 and finished second in the 100 at the STAC meet, and finished second in both the 100 and 200 at the Class C Championships.

Chandler, who tweaked his hamstring at the Class C meet, was fourth in the 100 at the State Qualifier, and 24th in the 200. At States, still battling a nagging hamstring, he finished 16th in the 100, and scratched from the 200.

Marco Quiros, junior Sayre track & field: Last year’s top track & field newcomer, Quiros was nearly unbeatable this season in the 100, 200, and 400.

After winning the 100, 200, and 400 sprints at the NTL Championships, Quiros won the 400, and placed fourth in the 200 at the District 4 Championships. He finished seventh in the 100.

At States, Quiros finished 18th in the 400, and 27th in the 200.

Evan Sickler, senior, Tioga golf: Sickler led the Tigers to a division title, averaging a plus-3.5 over nine holes. He also helped Tioga to its second Section IV title in program history.

Sickler shot a 79 on Day 2 of the Section IV Medalists Tournament to qualify for States, where he shot an 80 on Day 1.

Jay Pipher, senior, Waverly baseball: Pipher hit .457 (Valley-best 37 hits in 81 ABs) with five doubles, two triples, one home run, 25 RBI. He also led the Valley with 32 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases.

Pipher also walked 15 times, was hit by a pitch once, and had a .546 on-base percentage, to go along with a .605 slugging percentage for a 1.151 OPS.

On the mound, Pipher was 2-2 with 1 save and a 3.15 ERA. He allowed 22 hits in 20 innings, with 26 strikeouts and 19 walks. Opponents hit .265 against him.

Shea Bailey, senior, Tioga baseball: A slick-fielding shortstop, Bailey hit .500 (30 hits in 60 ABs), with eight doubles, three triples, 16 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases.

He walked 10 times, was hit by pitches three times, and had a .589 on-base percentage, to go along with a .733 slugging percentage for a 1.322 OPS.

On the mound, Bailey was 1-2 with one save, and a 2.86 ERA. He allowed 12 hits in 22 innings, while striking out 35 and walking 17. Opponents hit .150 against him.

Karter Green, sophomore, Sayre baseball: Green led the Valley with a .540 batting average (27 hits in 50 ABs) with eight doubles, one triple, one home run, 15 RBI, 13 runs scored, and three stolen bases.

He also walked eight times, was hit by one pitch, and had a .590 on-base percentage, to go along with a .800 slugging percentage for a 1.390 OPS.

On the mound, Green was 1-2 with a 2.44 ERA. He allowed 23 hits in 23 innings, while striking out 29 and walking six. Opponents hit .225 against him.


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