SOUTHERN TIER SPORTS REPORT: KENNEDY HEADLINES NIFTY NINE MALE ATHLETES OF THE WINTER SEASON (2024-03-24)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
With the winter season in the books it is time to recognize the top boys athletes of the season.

It’s the All-Southern Tier Sports Report Nifty Nine male athletes of the winter season.

We will list the first athletes in no particular order, and then we will do the second runner-up, the runner-up and the male athlete of the winter season.

This year's male athlete of the winter season is Corning standout bowler Cameron Kennedy.

Chris Woodard, Elmira, basketball
* Averaged 16.9 points and 9.9 rebounds a game. Had 1.6 steals a game on the season. Shot 53% from the field. Helped lead Elmira to a sectional title.

Cody Dale, Horseheads, wrestling
* 30 wins on the season. State qualifier. Section IV champion. 6th at Windsor Tournament. STAC Champion. Picked up a win at the state championships. Recorded his 100th win this season. Finished career with 109 wins, 65 by fall.

Nolyn Proudfoot, Corning, boys’ basketball
* Averaged 19.3 points a game, making 47 threes this year. Had 96 rebounds, 34 assists, 28 steals. First team BCANY all-star.  

Shoonfon Li, Horseheads, swimming
* Swam states in four events, including two individual events. He won the B final in the 200 IM in 1:53.91. Finished 14th in the state in the 100 back in 52.60. Qualified for states in seven different events this year, five of them individual events.

Brenden Jardin-Reed, Corning, diving
* Section IV, Class A champion in diving. A state qualifier for the Corning Hawks. Broke the pool record at Watkins Glen this year.

* A fourth-place finish at states in the pole vault at 14-feet, 6-inches. Also finished fourth in the federation.

And: Camryn Stefanini, Corning, bowling
* Averaged 220.1 on the year. Helped Corning win the team state title. Had a top five average among STAC bowlers this year.

RUNNER-UP: Zuri Ruffin, Corning, track and field
* Ruffin was fourth in the state in the long jump at 22-feet, 1 1/2-inches. Also had a 19th place finish in the 55 meters at states in 6.66. Also ran the 4x400 relay at states.

ATHLETE OF THE WINTER SEASON: Cameron Kennedy, Corning, bowling
* Averaged 222.2 on the season to lead the Hawks. Led Corning to a team state title. Had the highest series among all bowlers in the team state competition.