The Sports ReportsIt was another big year in the pool for area boys swimmers that ended on the state podium for several.
Athens’ Brayden Pettitt was a 2-time state medalist this year, brining home two seventh-place finishes at the PIAA Championships. He swam 1:57.18 in the 200 IM and 58.32 in the 100 breaststroke. Pettitt was also second in District IV in the 200 IM, and third in the district in the 100 breaststroke, making him The Sports Reports / Ziff Law Firm All-Region "Boys Swimmer of the Year."
His teammate Shayan Ankam had a strong freshman year, swimming 25.05 in the 50 free to take ninth at the District IV Championships, while also swimming 1:10.88 in the 100 breaststroke to take eighth, earning him the "Newcomer of the Year."
Towanda’s Brennick Lain just missed a state berth in diving, taking third at the District IV Championships with 344.2 points, earning him the "Diver of the Year" honors.
The Corning 200 free relay of JP Sierzant, John McKane, Keith Huff, and Joey Crisco placed ninth at states in a time of 1:27.65, to be the "Relay Team of the Year."
Corning’s Anthony Furstoss led the Hawks to a Section IV, Class A title along with two relays that medaled at states, plus several individual qualifiers to the "Coach of the Year."
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2025-26 ALL-REGION BOYS SWIMMING
Swimmer of the Year: Brayden Pettitt, Athens;
Newcomer of the Year: Shayan Ankam, Athens;
Diver of the Year: Brennick Lain, Towanda;
Coach of the Year: Anthony Furstoss, Corning;
Relay of the Year: Corning 200 free relay: J.P. Sierzant, John McKane, Keith Huff, and Joey Crisco.
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FIRST TEAM
Brayden Pettit, Athens: See above.
Brennick Lain, Towanda: See above.
Joey Crisco, Corning: Crisco was a state medalist in the 200 medley relay, the 100 breaststroke, and the 200 free relay. He swam 58.73 in the 100 breaststroke, and 1:58.68 in the 200 IM.
Thang Tran, Horseheads: Tran was a state qualifier in the 100 fly (52.38) and the 100 backstroke (54.86), while bringing him the Section IV title in the 100 backstroke.
JP Sierzant, Corning: Sierzant was a state medalist in the 200 free and 200 medley relay, while being a state qualifier in the 50 free (21.86) and the 100 free (48.44).
Eric Schrader, Owego: Schrader won a Section IV title in the 200 free (1:53.04), and was second in the 500 free (5:16.09).
Joe Wood, Horseheads: Wood was third at Section IV in the 500 free (5:06.94), and fourth in the 200 free (1:53.96).
John McKane, Corning: McKane was a state medalist in the 200 free and 200 medley relay. He was third in the 100 fly (54.79) at sectionals, and fourth in the 100 back (57.62) at sectionals.
Eli Hicks, Athens: Hicks was a state qualifier in the 50 free (22.2), while also taking second in District IV, and swam 49.8 seconds in the 100 free.
Magavin Allen, Owego: Allen was second at the Section IV Championships in the 100 fly (55.99), while winning a Section IV title in the 100 backstroke (56.59).
SECOND TEAM
Finn Williams, Waverly: Williams was fifth at Section IV in the 100 free (53.67) and seventh in the 50 free (24.11).
Matthew Robbins, Wellsboro: Robbins took fourth at the District IV Championships in the 50 free (24.11), while also swimming 53.14 in the 100 free.
Jacob Sores, Athens: Shores was fifth at the District IV Championships in the 200 free (1:55.71), and seventh in the 500 free (5:34.12).
Javan Belokur, Owego: Belokur was sixth at the Section IV Championships in the 500 free (5:33.44) and ninth in the 200 free (2:01.84).
MJ Carro, Horseheads: Carro was third at the Section IV Championships in the 200 IM (2:10.19), and also took home bronze at sectionals in the 100 backstroke (57.48).
Shawn DePedro, Corning: DePedro was a part of Corning’s 200 medley relay, while taking fourth at the Section IV Championships in the 100 fly (57.78), and third in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.04).
Keith Huff, Corning: Huff was a part of Corning’s 200 free relay. He was second in the 500 free (5:03.54) at the Sectional Championships, while also taking third in the 200 free (1:49.74).
