VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: WAVERLY'S HOGAN HEADLINES SUPER 7 AS 'COACH OF THE FALL' (2024-12-07)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY — Waverly girls soccer coach Tara Hogan directed the Wolverines to their first-ever Section IV title this fall, dispatching an old nemesis in the process. She is the 2024 Valley Sports Report "Coach of the Fall."

Hogan has had a very successful career at Waverly, reaching the Section IV finals on three occasions prior to this year, but all three ended the same way — with losses to Chenango Forks, which went on to win a pair of state titles in that span.

This year, Hogan's Wolverines turned the tables with a 2-0 win for the program's first-ever Section IV crown. Waverly finished the season with a 13-5 record.

2024 All-Valley Super 7 "Coaches of the Fall:"
Tara Hogan, Waverly girls soccer: See above.

Des Ford, Tioga volleyball: Ford coached the Tigers to their second Section IV title in three years, as well as a Regional title, which advanced them to the Class C final four.

It was the 10th title of her career, and the fourth time she's coached a team to the state final four.

Tioga finished the season with a 15-4 record. Since 2009, Ford has a record of 248-51.

Lenny Pientka, Athens golf: Pientka guided the Wildcats to their fourth straight NTL golf title, and the first District 4 title in program history.

Athens currently has won 22 consecutive NTL matches.

Jason Miller, Waverly football: Miller directed the Wolverines to a 9-2 record with their losses coming to Maine-Endwell (ranked No. 1 in the state in Class B and playing for another state title Saturday) and Chenango Forks in the Section IV, Class C championship game.

Miller's Wolverines have reached four consecutive Section IV finals — all against Chenango Forks. He's reached 10 finals in his 22 years at Waverly. He has five Section IV titles, and one state title.

Nick Aiello, Tioga football: Aiello guided his Tigers to their 12th Section IV, Class D championship game in the last 13 years the game has been played (No game in 2020 due to Covid), but for the first time in his tenure, they came up short, dropping a 22-21 overtime decision to Delhi.

Aiello has 11 Section IV titles, and four state titles. He has a 29-3 record in the Section IV playoffs since he began his time at Tioga in 2010.

Amy Steck, Waverly girls swimming: Steck's Wolverines were unbeaten in the dual season, and finished second at the Section IV, Class B Championships with just 12 girls.

Waverly sent two relays to States, and both came home with medals.

Jake Lezak, Athens boys soccer: Lezak, in his 21st and final season at the helm at Athens, led the Wildcats to a 9-8-3 record despite a rugged schedule and a spate of injuries.

The Wildcats also reached the District 4, Class 3A finals with a 1-0 win over Shikellamy in the semifinals. They dropped a 2-0 decision to powerhouse Selinsgrove in finals.

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