STAC TRACK & FIELD: WAVERLY HOPES TO REMAIN 'HIGHLY COMPETITIVE' IN 2025 (2025-04-03)

Valley Sports Report
WAVERLY — Despite losses from last year's team, especially the Boyd, longtime Waverly track & field coach Dave Hogan said he hopes to remain "highly competitive" in 2025.

"Our team goals are to remain highly competitive within the STAC, Class C, and all of Section IV," he said.

"We're focused on winning as a by-product of creating speed and power, keeping kids as healthy as possible, and continued growth as student-athletes," noted Hogan.

"My hope is that we instill in our athletes a passion for track and field, and the idea that the sport can be the best part of their day.

"Our staff always has our eyes on getting athletes qualified for and medaling at the state meet and this year is no different," added Hogan.

BOYS
The Wolverines have a large number of returnees:

Seniors: Nick Mattison, Seth Nato, Nate Peters, Riley Pipher, and Payton Fravel, who missed last season with a knee injury.

Juniors: Troy Beeman, Hayden Howe, Andrew Larrabee.

Sophomores: Jayden Washington, Rhylee Stotler, Carson Rockwell, Rylen Larson, and Chase Hine.

Hogan also has a number of newcomers he's expecting to contribute this season, led by junior Carter Davies, sophomore Bryce LaForest, and freshmen Jaxon Chandler,  Drayton DeKay, Jase Fravel, and Conner Collazo.

One thing on Hogan's agenda is rebuilding the 4-by-1 relay team, which finished silver and gold medals at the last two State meets.

Last year, it was the foursome of seniors Ralph Johnson and Micah Chandler, and juniors Kolsen Keathley and Xavier Watson. Johnson and Chandler have both graduated, while Watson was an early-enrollee at UConn to prepare for Division I football, and Keathley was lost for the season due to a knee injury suffered at the end of football season.

"Admittedly, losing the four young men from last year's 4-x-100 state champion relay was tough to swallow," said Hogan. "Having had some time to reflect on their successes, though, it's like that season and their accomplishments were actually destined to be.

"I don't mean to sound cliche, but with two of them graduating, one having an unfortunate injury, and the other already preparing to play Division I football at UConn, we seemed to capitalize on a perfect storm of an opportunity," noted Hogan. "We're incredibly thankful it played out so well.

"Xavier and Kolsen gave us everything they had in a single, dialed-in season," continued Hogan. "Ralph and Micah impacted Waverly Track & Field as both performers and leaders year after year.

"Rebuilding that relay with any one of those guys isn't at all possible, so the rebuilding process of this season is honestly exciting," said Hogan. "It's actually fun to get to try new combinations of talent and see speed and confidence grow.

"I'm biased, but that relay is the best event in track & field, and Waverly will continue to push successful relay culture," he added.

GIRLS
The Wolverines lost four key seniors, but bring back a small, but talented, group of returnees in 2025.

Returning for the Wolverines are:

SENIORS: Harper Minaker, Maddy Olmsted, and Addison Westbrook, who missed last year with a knee injury.

JUNIORS: Mackenzie Chamberlain and Haley Larrabee.

SOPHOMORES: Makenzie Olmsted and Taylor Sinsabaugh.

FRESHMAN: Kaylin Twedt and Lilly Schooner.

Hogan believes the Wolverines will have several newcomers ready to contribute, led by junior Kaitlyn Sutton, sophomores Ryleigh Judson, freshman Kendall Rockwell and Gianna Soprano, and 8th-grader Gianna Rylott.

The Wolverines open the 2025 campaign at home today against Chenango Valley.

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IN PHOTO: Waverly's Mackenzie Chamberlain, Nick Mattison, and Kaylin Twedt taking baton from Haley Larrabee. ... VSR STOCK PHOTOS.

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