TIOGA COUNTY - Tioga's Gavin Albrecht finished off a record setting season for the Tigers in 2025, going the distance to win the New York State Championship in the pole vault and earning Tioga County Sports Report 2025 "Boys Athlete of the Spring."

Albrecht went to States last year on the strength of a vault of 13-feet, 9-inches. This season, Albrecht set Tioga's school record at 14-feet, 7-inches, eventually winning state gold at 15-feet.

Albrecht was also a force in the 100-meter dash, and is closing in on the school record, and the long jump. He also ran on a successful 400-meter relay during the regular season.

Gavin Albrecht, junior, Tioga: See above.

A shutdown pitcher on the mound, as well as a solid infielder and stellar lead-off hitter, Lewis paced the River Hawks to a STAC Central title on top of a return to the Section IV Class A Championship Series. On the bump, Lewis went 7-1 with a 1.113 WHIP and a 1.53 ERA in 50.1 innings pitched. The senior fanned 61 batters on the year with opponents averaging .167 against him. Offensively, Lewis hit .322 with 19 hits, including a home run, 12 RBI, 24 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. The senior standout worked 19 walks and was hit by pitch on six occasions, earning an on-base percentage of .524 combined with a slugging percentage of .390 for a .914 OPS. 

Candor's Banks finished his senior season as the top golfer on a Coyotes' team that won both their division's regular season championship, as well as the IAC Small School title at the IAC Championships. During the regular season Noah Banks helped carry his team to a 7-2 record, while finishing four different matches as the low medalist. Banks had a nine-hole average of 40.75 going into the postseason. At the IAC Championships, Banks finished second overall on the Small School leaderboard and was awarded the Outstanding Senior Award. Banks qualified the Section IV Medalist Tournament, where he tied for sixth place, advancing him to the State Championships. At the New York State Championships, Banks finished with a two-day total of 182.

Earley won the 110 and 400-meter hurdles, and was second in the triple jump at the IAC Championships. Early won the 400 hurdles, was second in the 110 hurdles, and was fifth in the triple jump at the Class D Championships. At the State Qualifier, Earley won the 400-meter hurdles, was third in the 110 hurdles, and eighth in the triple jump. Earley finished off his career with a fourth-place finish in the 400 hurdles at States.

Heath set the tone for the River Hawks in mid-distance events this year. Heath won the STAC Championship for the 400-meters, clocking 49.96 while also running a 50.5 second split to lead the 4x400-meter relay team to the STAC podium as well. Heath followed that up with a Section IV Class B Championship in the 800-meters with a time of 1:58.91 for a season best. Owego's Heath advanced to the State Qualifier where he won the 800m for Class B to propel him to the NYSPHSAA Track And Field Championships. At the state championships, Heath ran a 2:00.66.

Bailey hit .462 with 24 hits, including five doubles, two triples, one home run, 19 RBI, 16 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. He walked seven times, and was hit by one pitch for a .516 on-base percentage, to go along with a .692 slugging percentage for a 1.208 OPS. Bailey was also a very good shortstop, and had a solid season on the mound, where he was 1-3, and did not allow an earned run in 11 2/3 innings, while striking out 11. Opponents hit .222 against him.

Taylor, a future Binghamton Bearcat was stellar on the mound again in 2025, as well as at third base and offensively for Owego. Taylor went 4-3 this season on the mound, striking out 64 opposing hitters and finishing with an impressive .957 WHIP and a 1.522 ERA. Offensively, the senior ended the spring with 17 hits, including a home run, four doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, and 22 runs scored. Taylor earned a .929 OPS while being a key piece in helping Owego win a STAC Central title and a trip back to the Section IV Class A Championship Series.

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PHOTO BY TIM BIRNEY