THE SPORTS REPORT: CORNING'S ABEL TOPS BAKER'S DOZEN AS GIRLS 'NEWCOMER OF THE SPRING' (2023-07-07)

The Sports Report
Just 12 years old, Corning 7th-grader Delaney Abel was one of the best varsity golfers in Section IV the moment she first set foot on a golf course this spring, which ended with her competing at the New York State Championships. She is The Sports Reports’ 2023 All-Region Girls “Newcomer of the Spring.”

Abel shot an average of 43.68 per nine hole this season, including several rounds in the 30s.

In the postseason, Abel won the Section IV title, then finished 25th at the state tournament to pace all Section IV golfers.

(The Sports Reports covers 24 school districts in four counties, and Corning.)

The 2023 Baker’s Dozen Girls Newcomers of the Spring
Delaney Abel, 7th-grader, Corning - golf: See above.

Daveian Crowley, freshman, Canton — track & field: Crowley was a four-time district medalist, and set new school records in the 200-meter dash, and as part of the 4-by-400, and 4-by-100 relays.

Abby Burgess, freshman, Athens — track & field: Burgess was a triple-winner in her first varsity track meet, and never slowed down. At the NTL Championships, Burgess won the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, placed third in the 400-meter dash, and ran a leg on the third-place 1,600-meter relay team. At Districts, Burgess finished third in the 100-meter dash — missing out on States by 0.02 seconds. She also placed third in the 200-meter dash.

Jayda Felker, senior, Corning — flag football: The flag football MVP in the first year of the sport for Corning, Felker had 18 receiving TDs and hauled in eight interceptions.

Lexi Lese, sophomore, Horseheads — girls' lacrosse: The girls’ lacrosse “Newcomer of the Year,” Lese had 47 goals and 21 assists on the season, with 21 ground balls.

Payton Ross, senior, Elmira — flag football: The flag football “Co-Offensive Player of the Year,” Ross threw for 1,462 yards and 17 TDs, and ran for 968 yards and 12 scores in the first season for the Express.

Addison Bly, freshman, Wyalusing — softball: Bly led all NTL rookies with a .424 batting average, She scored 25 runs and knocked in 11 runs.

Haley Litzelman, freshman, NP-Liberty — softball: Litzelman hit .402 as the clean-up hitter with 33 hits, including eight doubles, four home runs and a triple. She had 26 runs scored and 36 RBI. The freshman threw 23 innings and was 3-0 with a 0.61 ERA and 38 strikeouts.

Kenna Thomas, freshman, Williamson — softball: Thomas hit .422 with 19 base hits, including seven doubles, and two home runs, and 10 runs scored.

Hannah Carpenter, 8th-grader, Waverly — softball: Carpenter hit .414 (24 hits in 58 at-bats), with seven doubles, one triple, 12 RBI, nine runs scored, and four stolen bases. She posted a 1.029 OPS. Defensively, she had a .983 fielding percentage — just two errors in 114 defensive chances.

Maddie Hiley, freshman, Athens — softball: Hiley hit .362 (21 hits in 58 ABs), with five doubles, three triples, 20 RBI, 13 runs scored, and six stolen bases. She had a .448 on-base percentage, and .999 OPS.  In the circle, Hiley filled in for Persun the first few games of the season. She was 0-3, but had a 3.38 ERA, with 21 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings. Opponents hit .232 against her.

Hannah Smith, junior, Corning — flag football: The flag football “Co-Offensive Player of the Year,” Smith threw 43 touchdowns in her first season for the Hawks, which was also the first season for the program.

Anaiah Kolesar, freshman, NEB track & field: Kolesar was a two-time District 4 medalist (3200 and 4x800), while also being their biggest points-winner at the NTL Championships.

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