VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: ATHENS' HICKS NAMED 'GOLFER OF YEAR;' WAVERLY'S ROBINSON, ATHENS' OWEN, PIENTKA ALSO EARN TOP HONORS (2025-06-24)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY — Athens sophomore Eli Hicks had a stellar regular season and parlayed it into a strong performance at States. He is the 2024-25 Valley Sports Report "Golfer of the Year."

Waverly senior Breanne Robinson is the "Girls Golfer of the Year,", while Athens freshman Ty Owen is the "Newcomer of the Year," and Athens' Lenny Pientka is the "Coach of the Year."

In 14 matches, Hicks averaged an 18-hole round of 78, which was second in the NTL to teammate, senior Dylan Saxon. He had a low round of 69 at Shepard Hills on the day Athens clinched its fourth straight league title.

Hicks shot a 73 at the District 4, Class AAA team championships as Athens shattered its school scoring record and won the team title.

At the District 4, Class AAA individual championships, Hicks shot an opening round of 73 and led the field, but shot an 85 on the second day to finish second with a two-day total of 168.

At States, Hicks shot rounds of 75 and 79 for a two-day total of 154, and a 51st-place finish in the field of 72.

Robinson turned in a strong regular season, leading Waverly in nearly every match, posting a nine-hole average of 45.5.

Robinson, who qualified for States as a sophomore, but missed by 1 spot last year, finished sixth at the Section IV Championships with a round of 92.

Robinson shot a 95 on Day 2 of the New York State Championships to move up 17 spots on the leaderboard. She had a two-day total of 202 for 79th place.

Owen made an immediate impact this season for the NTL champion Wildcats. In 11 matches this season, Owen averaged 84.36 strokes over 18 holes, which placed sixth in the league.

Owen shot a 76 to help Athens to the team title and a team scoring record at the District 4, Class 3A Championships. He shot an 89 in his first trip to the District 4, Class 3A individual championships.

Pientka directed the Wildcats to its third consecutive unbeaten season in the NTL, and its fourth consecutive league title. Athens is currently riding a 22-match win streak in the NTL.

On top of that, Athens won the District 4, Class 3A team championships.

GOLF
Golfer of Year: Eli Hicks, sophomore, Athens
Girls Golfer of Year: Breanne Robinson, senior, Waverly
Newcomer of Year: Ty Owen, freshman, Athens
Coach of Year: Lenny Pientka

2024-25 All-Valley Golf Super 7
Eli Hicks, sophomore, Athens: See above.

Dylan Saxon, senior, Athens: Saxon led the NTL with a scoring average of 77.75 over 12 rounds, including a low round of 72. He finished third at the District 4, Class AAA Championships with a two-day total of 160 (80-80).

Ty Owen, freshman, Athens: See above.

James Luther, senior, Tioga: Luther led the Tigers with a plus-4.8 scoring average over 9 holes (81.6 over 18). He finished seventh at the Section IV, Class D Championships with a round of 84.

Brady Darrow, senior, Athens: Darrow had a scoring average of 87.5 during the regular season, which was good for 10th in the NTL. He finished eighth at Districts with a two-day total of 175.

Griff Walter, freshman, Waverly: The first-year player averaged 45.12 over nine holes (90.25 over 18 holes). He shot a 90 for a top-25 finish at the STAC Championships.

Breanne Robinson, senior, Waverly: See above.

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"Golfer of the Year"
2024-25 — Eli Hicks, Athens
2023-24 — Evan Cooper, Athens
2022-23 — Evan Cooper, Athens
2021-22 — Kannon VanDuzer, Sayre
2020-21 — Kannon VanDuzer, Sayre
2019-20 — NONE.
2018-19 — Alex Tomasso, Waverly
2017-18 — Ryan Murrelle, Sayre
2016-17 — Sam Taylor, Tioga
2015-16 — Zach Sitzman, Athens
2014-15 — Ryan Murrelle, Sayre
2013-14 — Zach Sitzman, Athens
2012-13 — Zach Sitzman, Athens
2011-12 — Garrett Ulmer, Athens
2010-11 — Garrett Ulmer, Athens
2009-10 — Brian Kennedy, Athens

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