The Sports ReportsKris Harrington’s Tioga wrestling program keeps racking up Section IV, and New York State titles — team and individual — at an impressive rate. He is The Sports Reports 2022-23 “Coach of the Winter,” headlining the Baker's Dozen of top coaches this winter season.
Harrington kept the Tioga juggernaut rolling in 2022-23. The Tigers won their sixth consecutive Section IV title, and their fourth straight team title at the New York State Division 2 Championships. They also won their fourth consecutive Section IV Duals title, and second straight New York State Division 2 title.
The Tigers also advanced eight wrestlers to the state championships, and brought home seven medals, including a pair of state champs, two runners-up, and a third-place finisher.
2022-23 Baker’s Dozen “Coaches of the Winter”
Kris Harrington, wrestling, Tioga: See above.
Greg Schweiger, girls basketball, Newark Valley: Schweiger was The Sports Reports “Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.” He led the Cardinals to a 22-1 record, a Section IV Class B championship and their second consecutive appearance in the state playoffs.
Newark Valley also won its third straight IAC South Large School and overall IAC Large School titles, and Schweiger also recorded his 100th career victory during the 2022-23 season.
Kipper Burleigh, boys basketball, NP-Mansfield: Burleigh led the Tigers to a 25-4 record in his 21st —and final — season of coaching. NP-M went undefeated in the NTL (16-0) and won the Large School title with a 10-0 record in the division. The Tigers' first loss came at East Stroudsburg South in the second game of the season, and NPM did not lose again until the Showdown Finals — a 21-game winning streak. NP-M won two District playoff game before falling in the finals, and won a state playoff game as well.
Burleigh was The Sports Reports “Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.”
Chris Evans, boys basketball, Owego: Evans and the Indians dominated the Section IV, Class B tournament, outscoring three opponents by an average of 21 points per game to earn a berth in the state playoffs against eventual champion Westhill. Owego was 15-7 overall.
Lou Judson, boys basketball, Waverly: Judson led Waverly to 19-3 record, including an 8-0 mark in the division for a division title, and a 14-0 record in the IAC. Waverly also won an overall IAC Large School championship. The Wolverines advanced to the Section IV, Class B semifinals, where it lost to eventual champ Owego.
Tim Crout, bowling, Elmira: Crout helped guide the Express to the state title, and this comes just a few years after he coached Section 4 win the composite state title, making him the first Section 4 coach to lead a team to the composite state title and a team state title during their careers.
Bob Woodward, boys basketball, Troy: Woodward had Troy playing its best basketball when it mattered most, at the end of the season. Despite personal tragedy on the team, the Trojans rallied together for their first district title in 26 years. The Trojans finished the season at 18-8.
Lyle Wesneski, wrestling, Canton: Despite a late start to the season, Wesneski directed the Warriors to an NTL title, a second-place finish at the District 4 Duals, and a North Section title.
Curtis Miller, girls basketball, Troy: Miller took a young team another step further as they contended for the NTL Large School title. The Lady Trojans came up short against Towanda, but swept Athens, and had a win over NEB during the season. The finished the season at 16-8.
Devan Witman, wrestling, Waverly: Witman has been at the helm of a re-building project with the Waverly wrestling program. That project is officially complete after this season, which saw the Wolverines finish second at the Section IV Duals, and advance five wrestlers to the Division 2 Championships.
Brett Owen, wrestling, Horseheads: Owen guided the Blue Raiders to another STAC and Section IV title. Horseheads won the Section IV Duals title and the title at the Section IV tournament, as well as bringing home a STAC Championship.
Rob Gentile, girls basketball, Towanda: Gentile led Towanda to its fourth straight NTL title. He incorporated newcomer Brynn Woodruff seamlessly into the team, while getting them to play their best in their biggest games. The Lady Knights finished the season at 18-7.
Brian Card, boys basketball, Tioga: Card’s Tigers overcame a 2-4 start to finish 15-9 and the sectional runner-up. Six of their losses came against larger schools. In the sectional tournament, Tioga, seeded eighth, won its first three games by an average of 18.7 points per contest, including upsets of the first and third seeds
