THE SPORTS REPORTS: NEB'S KOLESAR NAMED ALL-REGION GIRLS 'WRESTLER OF THE YEAR;' TIOGA COUNTY WELL-REPRESENTED ON ALL-REGION TEAM (2024-04-01)

The Sports Reports
Northeast Bradford sophomore Anaiah Kolesar battled her way to a fourth-place medal in the rugged 118-pound weight class at the PIAA Championships, and is The Sports Reports’ 2023-24 “Girls Wrestler of the Year.”

Kolesar, who placed seventh at States as a freshman, won the 118-pound bracket at the inaugural District 4 Championships. After losing her opening match to the eventual champion, Kolesar wrestled back for a third-place finish at the PIAA Central Regional Championships.

Kolesar finished the season with a 28-5 record.

There were newcomers with better records than All-Region “Newcomer of the Year” Ashlyn VanFleet, a senior at Athens, but none stepped on to a mat for the first time in November.

VanFleet started the season at 4-5, but thanks to a nine-match win streak late in the season finished at 18-11.

VanFleet won a District 4 title, and finished second at the PIAA Central Regionals. She was 1-2 at States, finishing one win shy of a state medal.

All-Region “Coach of the Year” Jay White of Athens has been instrumental in the growth of girls wrestling in the Northern Tier, with Northeast Bradford’s team this year, and Towanda’s next year off-shoots of the Athens girls program.

This season, White’s Lady Wildcats were 3-1 in Duals, won a team title at the first-ever District 4 Championships, and finished third at the PIAA Central Regionals, qualifying four girls for States.

During the season, Athens won the WIlliamsport Showcase, and finished second at the Jarvis Tournament, the Southern Tier Memorial, and the Coal Cracker.

More importantly, Athens had 18 wrestlers get at least three matches this season, with 15 of them getting at least 10 matches.

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WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Anaiah Kolesar, sophomore, Northeast Bradford
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR:  Ashlynn VanFleet, senior, Athens:
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jay White, Athens

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ALL-REGION GIRLS WRESTLING
FIRST TEAM
Anaiah Kolesar, sophomore, NEB: See above.

RaeAnn Craft, sophomore, Owego: Craft became the first three-time champion in Section IV history, and placed fifth at State in a 120-pound weight class that included three returning state champions (114, 120, and 126). She was 21-5 on the season with 15 pins, and four technical falls.

Layla Bennett, senior, Sayre:  Bennett won her first 21 matches this season on the way to a 22-2 record, including 18 pin falls. She won a District 4 title, and a Central Regional title. She was 1-2 at the PIAA Championships, finishing one win shy of a medal.

Mackenzie LaForest, senior, Waverly: A three-time state finalist, LaForest won her second Section IV title this year, and finished second at States. She was 21-3 on the season, with 18 falls.

Hanna Rathbun, sophomore, Athens: Rathbun finished the season with a 33-6 record, including 30 pin falls. She was second at the District 4 Championships (to Bennett), and second at the Central Regionals (to Bennett). She was 1-2 at States, finishing one win shy of a medal.

Chloe Owen, 8th-grade, Horseheads: Owen posted a 15-5 record with nine falls. She won the Section IV Ranking Tournament, and was 2-2 at the State Invitational.

Kyah Nelson, 8th-grader, Tioga: Nelson finished the season with a 25-5 record, including 24 pin falls. She won her second Section IV title. and was 1-2 at States.

Tayah Beach, sophomore, SVEC: Beach posted a 22-5 record, with 20 falls. She won IAC and Section IV titles, and went 2-2 at the state invitational.

Ashlynn VanFleet, senior, Athens: See above.

Abigail Wagner, freshman, Athens: Wagner finished 23-12 with 15 falls in her first varsity season. She won a District 4 title, and was fourth at Regionals. She was 1-2 at States, finishing one win shy of a medal.

Jenna Comer, sophomore, Corning: Comer posted a 19-5 record, with 15 falls. She won a STAC title, place second at the Section IV Ranking Tournament. She was 0-2 at States.

SECOND TEAM
Amelia Toomey, freshman, Tioga: Toomey was 22-11 with 17 pins in her first varsity season. She finished second at the Section IV Championships. She was 1-2 at States.

Leah Nason, sophomore, Athens: Nason finished the season with an 18-12 record, including 15 falls. She won a District 4 title, and was third at Central Regionals. She was 0-2 at States.

Elona Holmes, sophomore, Waverly: Holmes was 16-11 with 14 falls. She placed second at the Section IV Championships, and was 1-2 at States.

Kali Bailey, junior, Tioga: Bailey finished the season with a 15-6 record. She was second at the Section IV Championships, and was 0-2 at States.

Emma Renninger, junior, Athens: Renninger finished her first varsity season with a 22-13 record, including 17 falls. She finished third at the District 4 Championships.

Olivia Chilson, senior, Wellsboro: Chilson posted an 11-7 record on the season. She won a District 4 title.

Courtney Castellana, senior, Corning: Castellana posted a 14-5 record with 12 falls. She was a STAC title, and placed third at the Section IV Championships.

Keegan Rhodes, junior, Corning: Rhodes finished the season at 20-9, with 15 falls. She won a STAC title, placed second at the Section IV Ranking Tournament, and was 0-2 at States.

Mackenzee Davis, freshman, Elmira: Davis was 12-6 on the season, with 10 falls. She finished third at the Section IV Ranking Event, and fourth at the Section IV Championship.

Jade Cook, senior, Corning: Cook was 17-11 on the season, with 15 falls. She finished third at the Section IV Ranking Tournament, and went 1-2 at States.

Dallas Fanning, freshman, SVEC: Fanning posted a 15-8 record with 13 pins. She won a title at the Southern Tier Memorial, and was second at the Section IV Championships.

TOP NEWCOMERS
Ashlyn VanFleet, senior, Athens: See above.

Abigail Wagner, freshman, Athens: See above.

Dallas Fanning, freshman, SVEC: See above.

Amelia Toomey, freshman, Tioga: See above.

Courtney Castellana, senior, Corning: See above.

Emma Renninger, junior, Athens: See above.

Sonya Dordoni, 8th-grader, Horseheads: Dordogne was 8-3 on the season with five falls. She won the Section IV Ranking Tournament, placed second at the Section IV Championships, and was 1-2 at the State Invitational.

Brenae Tedesco, senior, Waverly: Tedesco finished her only varsity season with a 13-7 record, including eight falls. She finished third at the Section IV Championships.

Emma Mallare, freshman, Athens: Mallare finished the season at 15-14, with nine falls.

Joyce Clink, freshman, Athens: Clink finished the season with a 10-8 record, including eight falls.