THE SPORTS REPORTS: WAVERLY'S JOHNSON NAMED ALL-REGION 'BOYS ATHLETE OF THE SPRING;' TWO HORSEHEADS, TWO ELMIRA, ONE CORNING ATHLETE MAKE THE LIST (2024-07-03)

The Sports Reports
Waverly senior Ralph Johnson capped his high school career with three gold medals at the New York State Track & Field Championships, then a record-breaking run to finish third at the New Balance Outdoor Track & Field Nationals. He is the The Sports Reports' 2024 All-Region "Boys Athlete of the Spring."

Johnson, who was unbeaten during the regular season, won a STAC title in the 100-meter dash, then followed it up with first-place finishes in the 100 and 200 at the Section IV, Class C meet, and the State Qualifier.

After a false-start cost Johnson, who had the fastest time in the 100 prelims, a shot at a gold medal, he won the NYSPHSAA and Federation (combined Division 1 and 2) gold medals in the 200.

Johnson ended the season with the school record in the 100 at 10.65 seconds, and in the 200 at 21.52 seconds.

Johnson earned his third gold medal in the 400-meter relay, teaming with Watson, senior Micah Chandler, and junior Kolsen Keathley. The relay also earned a fourth-place medal in the Federation race.

Johnson capped his high school career by smashing the Waverly school and Section IV records in the 200-meter dash at the New Balance Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

Johnson, who had Waverly’s school record of 21.52 seconds in the 200, ran a 21.15 in the New Balance preliminaries, then lowered the record again in the finals, clocking in at 21.08 seconds to finish third in the nation. He also finished 32nd in the 100 in 10.73 seconds.

ALL-REGION BOYS ATHLETES OF THE SPRING
Ralph Johnson, senior, Waverly track & field: See above.

Mason Holloway, junior Horseheads baseball: Holloway was 6-0 with a 0.16 ERA, and 0.40 WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched). He allowed 15 hits and 1 walk in 43 innings, while striking out 81 batters.

Holloway hit .383, and had a .508 on-base percentage, to go along with 16 runs scored, and 13 RBI.  

Sam Brenen-Buseck, Elmira boys’ lacrosse: Brenen-Buseck, a D-I commit to LeMoyne, had 208 saves on the season, a shutout and 916 career saves. He was a first-team Section IV Division 1 all-star and a scholastic All-American.

Avery Sens, junior, Troy track & field: Sens dominated the shot put throughout the season, winning several invite titles, including a district title, before ending up on the state podium.

D.J. Cornfield, senior, Corning track & field: Cornfield earned state medals in the 1,600-meter run and the 3,200-meter run. He was third in the state in the 1600, and sixth in the 3200.

Brady Magliocca, senior, Elmira golf: Magliocca had a career-best round of even-par 72 at the second day of States, to go with a 77 in the first round, to finish 17th at the state championships.

On the year, Magliocca averaged 2-over par for nine holes, averaging 38 for nine holes. He led Elmira to their first ever STAC Championship.

Conlan Taylor, junior Owego baseball: Taylor allowed just two earned runs in 54 innings on the mound to post a 0.26 ERA. He finished the season with a 7-0 record which included 74 strikeouts against 26 hits, 19 walks and four hit batters. He threw zero wild pitches and opponents hit just .144 against him.

Taylor hit a team-high .406 , with a .571 on-base percentage and a team-best .449 slugging percentage for a 1.020 OPS. He had 24 RBI, scored 20 runs, and was issued 24 walks.

Jay Pipher, senior, Waverly baseball: Pipher hit .457 with 37 hits, including five doubles, two triples, one home run, 25 RBI. He also scored 32 runs, and registered 23 stolen bases. He had a .546 on-base percentage, to go along with a .605 slugging percentage for a 1.151 OPS.

On the mound, Pipher was 2-2 with 1 save and a 3.15 ERA. He allowed 22 hits in 20 innings, with 26 strikeouts and 19 walks. Opponents hit .265 against him.

Zack Wilcox, senior, NP-Mansfield track & field: Wilcox finished third in the 800-meter at Districts with a state-qualifying time of 1:55.72. At States, Wilcox ran a 1:56.42 to earn a fifth-place medal. Wilcox was also one of the area’s premier triple jumpers, earning a fifth-place medal at Districts.

Holden Ward, junior, Canton baseball: Ward did it all for the NTL Small School champions. He was their best hitter, pitcher, and one of their best infielders despite being left handed.

Ward hit .435 with 35 runs scored, 21 RBI, eight doubles, four triples, and a big grand slam. On the mound, he pitched 55 innings with a 2.80 ERA and 71 strikeouts.

Dom Russ, senior, Horseheads baseball: Russ hit .412 with a .543 on-base percentage. He had 10 extra base hits,  with five doubles, three triples and two home runs, to go along with 17 RBI and 25  runs scored.

Marco Quiros, junior Sayre track & field: After winning the 100, 200, and 400 sprints at the NTL Championships, Quiros won the 400, and placed fourth in the 200 at the District 4 Championships. He finished seventh in the 100.

At States, Quiros finished 18th in the 400, and 27th in the 200.

John Garrison, senior, S-VE track & field: Garrison placed fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NYSPHSAA Division 2 state championships in just his fourth time competing in the event. He also clocked the fastest split among all competitors on his final lap.

He was also a Section IV qualifier in the 1600 and 3200, but chose to focus on the steeple. Garrison won IAC Small School titles in the steeple, 3200 and 4x800 relay, and was the 1600 runner-up to lead the Panthers to the IAC Small School title. At the class sectional meet, he ran the 800, placing second.

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