Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY — It was a clean sweep with Athens seniors Sara Bronson and Ethan Hicks earned the Principal's Award and the Forbes Award, respectively, as the top three-sport student-senior athletes in the Valley.
The awards are given annually by the three school districts.
BRONSON WINS THE PRINCIPAL'S AWARD
Bronson was a standout and multiple-time state qualifier in cross country, and track & field, and also a contributor on the basketball court for the Wildcats.
In the fall, Bronson was a four-time District 4 medalist and a four-time state qualifier. She led her teams to a pair of NTL Large School titles.
In the spring, Bronson was a three-time state track & field qualifier, and a 10-time District 4 medalist. As a junior, she placed fourth at States in the 1,600-meter run.
She helped her teams to four straight NTL titles as a six-time individual NTL Champ and a 12-time track & field medalist.
As a senior, Bronson was a key contributor on the hardwoods. She averaged 8.1 points, including 22 3-pointers, 4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2 steals per game.
She was also a four-time Valley Sports Report "Cross Country Runner of the Year," a two-time Valley Sports Report "Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year," and a one-time Valley Sports Report "Girls Athlete of the Year," among her many accolades.
Bronson will be attending Bucknell University to run cross country and track & field. She will major in Biomedical Engineering.
HICKS WINS FORBES AWARD
A standout in cross country and track & field, Hicks made his bones in the swimming pool.
As a swimmer, Hicks graduates as the school record-holder in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle sprints, and was a member of the record-setting 200-yard medley, 200-yard freestyle, and 400-yard freestyle relays.
As a senior, Hicks won a District 4 title in the 50 free, and was on three gold-medal winning relays. He competed at the PIAA Championships in all three events.
In his career, he won 14 District medals, including seven gold medals, and led Athens to its first-ever District 4 team championship as a senior.
During the fall, Hicks was a District 4 qualifier, and in the spring, he qualified for Districts in three events — the 300-meter hurdles, the javelin, and the 3,200-meter relay.
He was a three-time District qualifier in both cross country and track & field.
He was the Valley Sports Report "Boys Swimmer of the Year" as a senior.
Hicks will be attending the University of Pittsburgh to earn a degree in Pharmacy.
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IN PHOTO: Athens seniors Ethan Hicks and Sara Bronson. ... PHOTOS SUBMITTED.
