NEWARK VALLEY'S NECHWEDOWICH NAMED TIOGA COUNTY FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR (2020-06-19)

Tioga County Sports Report
TIOGA COUNTY — Newark Valley's Mackenna Nechwedowich has edged out some strong competition to be named the 2019-20 Tioga County Female Athlete of the Year.

A three-sport standout, she was the only female athlete from the six county high schools to receive two all-state honors.

The junior was selected to the New York State Sportswriters Association Class B fifth-team in soccer during the fall, then followed it up with a NYSSWA Class B third-team honor in basketball in the winter season.

On the pitch, Newark Valley, the IAC South Large School runner-up, posted a 9-5 record in its first season playing up at the Class B level. Nechwedowich, a defender, scored seven goals and dished out seven assists.

She would score a goal and assist on first-half corner kicks to lead the Cardinals to a 4-2 win over Norwich in the first round of the Section IV Class B tournament.

NV was eliminated by rival Waverly, the division champion, 1-0, in the quarterfinals. The Cardinals were one of just three teams to hold the Wolverines to a single goal during the season.

On the hardwoods, Newark Valley would put together a 22-game win streak en route to the IAC South Large School and IAC Large School championships. They would finish 22-1 overall, falling to defending champion Norwich in the title game in NV's first season competing at the Class B level.

Nechwedowich averaged team highs in rebounds with 7.8, blocks with 3.7 and assists with 3.4 per game. She was No. 2 in scoring at 12 points and free throws shooting (69 percent), and was third in steals with two thefts per outing.

In a school year turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic, Nechwedowich did not get an opportunity to play tennis. Last year, she was NV's third singles player behind a pair of seniors.

COVID-19 had a devastating effect on several spring athletes, including several softball, golf, and track & field athletes who were among those being considered for the top athlete honor.

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IN PHOTOS: NV's Mackenna Nechwedowich. ... TCSR STOCK PHOTOS.