SOUTHERN TIER SPORTS REPORT: DINARDO HEADLINES ELITE 11 GIRLS' ATHLETES OF THE SPRING (June 21, 2023)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
As we put a bow on the spring sports season it’s time to pick the best of the best girls’ athletes from the spring with the Elite 11 Girls’ Athletes of the Spring.

We will name seven athletes, in no particular order, then count down the second runner-up, runner-up and girls’ athlete of the spring.

Jayda Falker, Corning, flag football:
Felker was a huge threat on offense all season, hauling in 18 touchdown catches on the season. She was also a huge factor on the defensive side of the ball with eight interceptions. She was the all-STSR flag football player of the year.

Delaney Abel, Corning, girls’ golf:
A sectional champion who finished 25th at the state meet. Had the second best scoring average in the section this year at 43.68.

Brooklyn Moffe, Horseheads, girls’ golf:
Had the best scoring average in the section on the year at 42.33. Helped guide Horseheads to an unbeaten season and a sectional title. Was the All-STSR co-coach of the year.

Sarah Lawson, Corning, track and field:
The co-track athlete of the year for the all-STSR team. A state medalist in the 3000 meters, finishing third in NYSPHSAA Division I in 9:47.87. She was a seventh-place finisher in the 5000 meters at nationals. She was also a state qualifier in the 3200 relay, running the second best time in the area this year in the event (2:22.96).

Tess Eisner, Horseheads, track and field:
The field athlete of the year on the all-STSR team. Eisner was fourth in the state in D1 and fifth int he federation in the long jump at 17-feet, 6 1/4-inches and she finished seventh at states in the triple jump at 37-feet, 3-inches.

Vicky Mordvinova, Elmira, track and field:
The co-track athlete of the year for the all-STSR team. A state medalist in the 1500 and a state-qualifier in the 800 meters. Had the best time in the area in both the 800 (2:11.59) and 1500 (4:32.91).

Brooke Sumner, Horseheads, track and field:
The girls’ lacrosse offensive player of the year for the all-STSR team. Had 74 goals and 11 assists this year, and got her 100th career goal in the season.

Lawson Bigelow, Notre Dame, softball:
She hit .531 with a school record 13 home runs, along with 34 RBI. She had a slugging percentage of 1.234. Was the all-STSR softball Offensive Player of the Year.

Edison’s Gabby Milazzo is the softball player of the year for all-STSR. She went 10-2 on the mound with a 1.652 ERA with 116 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 89 innings. She had zero errors on the season and was the 2023 Junker Johnston Softball Player of the Year through the Elmira Kiwanis Club. At the plate she hit .475 with a .536 on base percentage and she had 24 RBI and struck out just twice all year.

RUNNER-UP:
Payton Ross, Elmira, flag football and softball:
Ross of Elmira threw for 1,462 yards and 17 scores, completing 56% of her passes, and she also ran for 968 yards and 12 touchdowns in flag football. She was the flag football co-offensive player of the year.

She was also an all-STSR first-team softball all-star. In softball she hit .419 and had two home runs, two doubles and as a pitcher had a 2.84 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings.

ATHLETE OF THE SPRING:
Jenna DiNardo, Corning, girls’ lacrosse:
The all-STSR girls’ lacrosse player of the year. She had an offensive season never seen in the area before. DiNardo had 98 goals and 44 assists for 142 points as the Hawks won a sectional title. The Virginia bound player did all of that in 17 games this season. DiNardo went over 200 career goals and 300 career points this year.
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STSR PHOTO.