VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: WAVERLY'S BEEMAN HEADLINES SUPER 7 AS 2025-26 'BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR' (July 2, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY — Waverly senior Troy Beeman was a state qualifier in two sports, and all-state in a third. He is the 2025-26 Valley Sports Report "Boys Athlete of the Year."

A physical presence with great feet and agility, Beeman was the anchor of an offensive line that paved the way for 154.5 rushing yards per game, and 27 rushing TDs against a rugged schedule in 2025. He was a first-team all-state selection on offense.

Defensively, Beeman had 58 tackles, including 25 solo stops, despite being double-teamed much of the season. 

On the mats this winter, Beeman was under-sized at heavyweight after losing 70 pounds, but posted a 36-8 record with 19 pins and two technical falls. He won a STAC title, Qualifier A title, and Section IV, Division 2 title at 285 pounds.

A state champ as a sophomore, and runner-up as a junior, Beeman finished his career with a sixth-place finish.

This spring, Beeman, a consistent points-winner in the throwing events, won a Section IV Class B title in the discus with a career-best throw of 146-feet, 6-inches. He was 12th at States at 133-feet, 3-inches.

Beeman placed second in the discus at the STAC Championships at 144-feet, 3-inches.

(NOTE: This award is designed to honor three-sport athletes, although two-sport athletes will occasionally make the list.)

2025-26 Super 7 "Boys Athletes of the Year"
Troy Beeman, senior, Waverly football, wrestling, track & field: See above.

Connor Davidson, junior, Athens football, wrestling, baseball: Last fall, Davidson was the definition of a dual-threat QB for the Wildcats.

Davidson completed 57.5 percent (96 of 167) for 1,706 yards and 22 TDs, including a school-record six TDs in a game. He was intercepted five times. He also ran for 850 yards and 11 TDs on 111 carries in nine games.

Over the winter, Davidson posted a 28-12 record with 18 pins and five technical falls. He won a District 4, Class AAA title, was fifth at the Northeast Regional, and went 0-2 at States.

Matthias Welles, junior, Waverly football, wrestling, baseball: A punishing lead blocker at H-back, Welles had six catches for 129 yards and two TDs. He also rushed for three TDs.

Defensively, Welles had 59 tackles, including 26 solo stops. He had two QB sacks and two tackles-for-loss, as well as one interception and three forced fumbles. He was a second-team all-state selection on defense.

Over the winter, Welles posted a 42-6 record on the mats, including 25 pins and two technical falls. He was 13-2 in the postseason, with seven pins, one technical fall, and one major decision.

Welles won a STAC title, a title at the Section IV, Division 2 Qualifier A, and a Section IV, Division 2 Championship. He finished fourth at 215 pounds at States.

This spring, Welles, a VSR gold glover at first base, hit .247 (19 hits in 77 ABs) with two doubles, one triple, two home runs, 19 RBI, 20 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. He also walked 13 times, was hit by pitches 10 times, and had a .416 on-base percentage.

Hogan Shaw, senior, Waverly football, basketball, baseball: Last fall, Hogan Shaw was a third-team all-state selection as a place kicker.

The strong-legged kicker converted 35 of 38 extra-point attempts, and booted one field goal on the season. He also had 15 touchbacks on kickoffs, 

Offensively, Hogan Shaw had 17 catches for 133 yards and one TD.

This winter on the hardwoods, Hogan Shaw, a top-notch defender, led the Valley in scoring with 17.3 points per game and 58 3-pointers on the season, with a shooting percentage of 34.9 percent from behind the 3-point arc.

Shaw also average 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, and shot 69.3 percent from the free-throw line.

This spring on the diamond, Hogan Shaw, the VSR "Defensive Player of the Year" for his play in center field, hit .271 (23 hits in 85 ABs) with three doubles, one triple, 12 RBI, 33 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases. He also walked 18 times and had a .396 on-base percentage.

Ben Shaw, junior, Waverly football, basketball, baseball: Playing quarterback and middle linebacker is not a common combination of positions for football players, but Ben Shaw excelled at both again last fall.

Shaw completed 62.3 percent (91 of 146) of his passes for 1,334 yards and nine TDs, while being picked off seven times. He also rushed for 261 yards and a team-high 10 TDs.

Defensively, he registered 165 tackles in 11 games, including 75 solo stops. He also had four tackles-for-loss and four QB sacks, as well as one interception, one pass break-up, and one fumble recovery. He was a first-team all-state selection on defense.

On the hardwoods, Ben Shaw, a fiery team leader and strong front court defender, averaged 5.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, and made 10 3-pointers on the season.

This spring, Ben Shaw, a VSR gold glove winner behind the plate, hit .250 (19 hits in 76 ABs) with two doubles, 15 RBI, 16 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. He also walked 14 times and had a .372 on-base percentage.

Brenden Comstock, senior, Athens football, wrestling, track & field: A mainstay on the Wildcats offensive line, Comstock made his bones on the defensive side of the ball.

He had 89 tackles, including 44 solo stops, 14 tackles-for-loss, and four QB sacks. He also forced three fumbles and broke up three passes.

This winter, Comstock announced his presence with authority, winning his first-ever varsity wrestling match via fall in 10 seconds.

Comstock went on to post a 20-12 record with 11 pins and one technical fall. He finished fourth at the District 4, Class 3A Championships.

This spring, Comstock won a silver medal in the discus at the District 4, Class AAA Championships with a throw of 145-feet, 1-inch. He was 10th in the shot put at 40-feet, 11 3/4 inches

At the NTL Championships, Comstock placed second in shot put (45-feet, 7 3/4-inches), and third in discus (138-feet, 2-inches).

Dominic Palmer, senior, Tioga football, basketball, track & field: Palmer was a two-way standout for the Tigers on the gridiron, prone to making the big play on both sides of the ball.

Possessing good size and good hands, Palmer was dangerous in the Tioga's ground game and limited aerial attack. He rushed for 182 yards and two TDs on 15 carries, and caught nine passes for 188 yards and three TDs.

On defense, Palmer recorded 86 tackles, including 22 solo stops. He had seven QB sacks, four tackles-for-loss, and one fumble recovery. He was a first-team all-state selection on defense.

On the hardwoods this winter, Palmer, athletic with a non-stop motor, averaged 10.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.

This spring, Palmer finished second in the pentathlon at the State Qualifier, logging four second-place finishes in the five events.

At the Class C meet, Palmer was second in the 110-meter hurdles (16.24 seconds), and eighth in the high jump (5-feet, 2-inch)

At the IAC Championships, Palmer was second in the 110-meter hurdles (16.22), fourth in the pole vault at 8-feet, 6-inches, and fifth in the long jump at 16-feet, 9 1/4-inches.

Honorable Mention: Tioga senior Gavin Albrecht, Tioga junior Jackson Bombard, Athens junior Brendan Cooke, Tioga junior Gavin Kithcart, and Tioga senior Logan Bellis.

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