Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY — Brian Wendela engineered quite a turnaround of the Athens softball program, piloting it to its first-ever District 4 title this spring. He is the All-Valley Super 7 "Coach of the Spring."
Wendela took over an Athens program that won its first-ever NTL division title, then lost in the Class 3A quarterfinals in 2019 under Mickey Farrell. In 2021, Athens went 15-5, and lost in the Class 4A semifinals.
The year prior to Wendela's arrival, Athens lost its final game of the regular season to miss out on the postseason and finish 9-11.
The Wildcats took another step back in Wendela's initial season, posting a 5-15 record, but things began to turn around in 2024 with an influx of young talent and some talented veterans, which resulted in a 13-8 season.
The 2025 season took an unexpected hit in the fall of '24 when senior Savannah Persun, who was the 'Cats No. 1 pitcher last year, injured her knee and was lost for the remainder of the school year.
However, sophomore Gretchan Hiley stepped up and posted a season for the ages.
Wendela directed the Wildcats to a school-record 21 wins, against just two losses, and the second division title in program history.
The crowning moment, however, was wins over Jersey Shore and Central Columbia for the program's first-ever District 4 title.
Wendela also became the first area coach to win a Section IV title (2019 at Waverly) and a District 4 title.
ALL-VALLEY SUPER 7 "COACHES OF THE SPRING"
Brian Wendela, Athens softball: See above.
Stephanie Hills, Tioga softball: Hills piloted a young Tioga team to a 15-4 season a berth in the IAC Small School championship game, and a trip to the Section IV, Class C Championship game.
The Tigers lost twice to Union Springs, ranked sixth in N.Y. State, before beating them in the Class C semifinals. Their other losses were to eventual state finalist Deposit-Hancock, and Athens, which won its first-ever District 4 title.
Mike Bronson, Athens girls track & field: The Wildcats claimed their 10th consecutive NTL championship.
Athens finished sixth at the District 4, Class 3A Championships, and sent junior Abby Burgess, who won a fourth-place medal in the 100, and senior Sara Bronson to States.
Eric Gutierrez, Tioga boys track & field: Gutierrez pulled all the right strings for the Tioga Tigers in 2025.
He led Tioga to an IAC South Small School Division title, and an IAC Small School title. The Tigers finished fourth at the Section IV, Class D Championships, and advanced three athletes to States.
Charlie Havens, Athens baseball: Coming off an 8-12 season, Havens led Athens to a 15-5 mark in 2025, which included a 14-2 start. The Wildcats won the NTL Large School title, and saw its season end in the District 4, Class 4A semifinals.
David Shaw, Waverly flag football: Waverly graduated most of its offense from an 8-1-3 team in 2024, but Shaw and his staff put the pieces back together.
Waverly put together an 8-5 season, including its first-ever postseason win.
Ron Chamberlain, Waverly tennis: Coming off a winless season that saw the Wolverines fail to win an individual match, Chamberlain directed a young team to three wins and a couple close losses in a 3-7 season.
