Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY — Freshman Skylynn Payne made an immediate impact for the Athens, and finished strong as well with appearance at the PIAA Girls Wrestling Championships. She is the 2025-26 Valley Sports Report "Girls Newcomer of the Winter."
Payne started her first varsity campaign with 12 consecutive first-period pins, including 10 in 49 seconds or less, and finished the season with a 27-8 record.
Of her 27 wins, 24 were by fall and one was via technical fall.
Payne won titles at the Queen of the Hive, and the Panther Valley Classic.
She finished fourth at the District 4 Championships, and third at the Central Region Championships to punch her ticket to States, where she went 0-2.
2025-26 All-Valley Super 7 "Girls Newcomers of the Winter"
Skylynn Payne, freshman, Athens wrestling: See above.
Irie Lynch, freshman, Tioga basketball: The lanky and athletic Lynch put together a very good first varsity season, averaging 9.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 2.9 steals per game.
Alissa Vough, sophomore, Athens basketball: A very good defender, Vough averaged 6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.
Amelia Wright, 7th-grader, Waverly wrestling: A 7th-grader, Wright posted an impressive 34-16 record with 31 pins and two technical falls. She placed third at the Section IV Championships.
Evelyn Cummings, freshman, Athens wrestling: Cummings posted an 18-6 record, with 17 wins by fall. She won seven of her last eight matches. She won a title at the Williamsport Showcase.
Sophia Haney, senior, Tioga wrestling: Haney posted an 18-17 record with 14 pins and three technical falls in her first varsity season. She won an IAC title.
Chelsey Renninger, freshman, Athens wrestling: Renninger posted a 20-12 record with 19 pins and one technical fall.
