Several male athletes in Section 4 have excelled in winter sports, showcasing remarkable skills and breaking records. This year's Athletes of the Season include standout performers in basketball, swimming, wrestling, bowling, and track.
Key points
Several male athletes excelled in Section 4 winter sports
Athletes broke long-standing records this season
Fan-picked athletes showcased remarkable skills
Athletes of the Season include basketball, swimming, wrestling, bowling, and track
Several male athletes across Section 4 have dominated in their respective sports, creating headlines and outshining their competition this season. The question posed: What characteristics make a standout athlete?
These fan-picked athletes have shown up and shown out in their respective sports this year; some athletes breaking long-standing records, other athletes stepping up to lead a team, and a handful of newcomers that redefined what underclassmen could do.
Here are this year's Athlete(s) of the Season in Section 4 boys' basketball, swimming, wrestling, bowling and track:
Click below to see all nominees and their accomplishments.
This season's nominees: Nolyn Proudfoot (Corning), Allan Eagles (Seton Catholic Central), Marco Konrad (Maine-Endwell), Brady Carr (Oneonta)
The fan-picked 2026 "Athlete of the Season" in Section 4 boys' basketball is Corning's Nolyn Proudfoot.
Nolyn Proudfoot from Corning takes a shot in a 72-64 win over William Floyd in a NYSPHSAA Class AAA boys basketball regional final March 15, 2026 at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton.
Nolyn Proudfoot from Corning takes a shot in a 72-64 win over William Floyd in a NYSPHSAA Class AAA boys basketball regional final March 15, 2026 at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton.
Proudfoot's accomplishments this season: Proudfoot scored 50 points in early February, surpassing 1500 career points as a sophomore. The six-foot-two guard is considered one of the top prospects in the region and has been an integral part of Corning’s postseason victories, including claiming the Section 4 Class AAA title and its state final four appearance this year.
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Boys Swimming & Diving
This season's nominees: Strati Anastos (Maine-Endwell), Joey Crisco (Corning), Carson Thaete (Watkins Glen/Odessa-Montour), Koen Anderson (Ithaca)
The fan-picked 2026 "Athlete of the Season" in Section 4 boys' swimming & diving is Corning's Joey Crisco.
Corning's Joey Crisco won the 200-yard IM as Maine-Endwell beat Corning, 105-80, in a STAC boys swimming & diving meet Jan. 15, 2026 at Corning-Painted Post High School.
Corning's Joey Crisco won the 200-yard IM as Maine-Endwell beat Corning, 105-80, in a STAC boys swimming & diving meet Jan. 15, 2026 at Corning-Painted Post High School.
Crisco's accomplishments this season: Crisco broke the STAQ record in the 100 breaststroke and achieved his second consecutive Section 4 Class A individual title. Crisco’s efforts in the pool helped Corning to its second straight Class A title and put him in the top 20 swimmers in the state in his sophomore season.
Boys Indoor Track & Field
This season's nominees: Gavin Heath (Owego), Keegan Waltz (Oxford-Greene), Milo Wilson (Binghamton), Darren Rose (Oneonta)
The fan-picked 2026 "Athlete of the Season" in Section 4 boys' indoor track and field is Owego's Gavin Heath.
Heath's accomplishments this season: Heath won the 300-meter dash at the Section 4 class championship with a 36.37 run–a new personal best–in early February and later secured a ticket to states with a first-place finish in the 600-meter run at qualifiers for another personal best, coming in at 1:22.89.
Boys Wrestling
This season's nominees: Gavin Lovell (Owego), Landyn Shaffer (Deposit-Hancock), Maverick Beckwith (Norwich), Anthony Valls (Chenango Valley)
The fan-picked 2026 "Athlete of the Season" in Section 4 boys' wrestling is Owego's Gavin Lovell.
Gavin Lovell from Owego Free Academy defeated Brody O'Hern from Chenango Forks in the 103-pound championship match at the Southern Tier Athletic Conference Boys Wrestling Championships on Jan. 24, 2026 at Binghamton High School.
Gavin Lovell from Owego Free Academy defeated Brody O'Hern from Chenango Forks in the 103-pound championship match at the Southern Tier Athletic Conference Boys Wrestling Championships on Jan. 24, 2026 at Binghamton High School.
Lovell's accomplishments this season: Lovell became one of the program’s youngest champs after securing the 2026 STAC champion at 103 pounds. Despite only being in seventh grade and heading into a new state tournament, Lovell stood his own as one of the youngest in Division 2 at the NYSPHSAA boys wrestling championships.
Boys Bowling
This season's nominees: Landon Butenko (Chenango Forks), Dominick Bernthon (Binghamton), Alex Gublo (Elmira), Cayden Bowman (Horseheads)
The fan-picked 2026 "Athlete of the Season" in Section 4 boys' bowling is Chenango Forks' Landon Butenko.
Landon Butenko of Chenango Forks boys bowling team.
Landon Butenko of Chenango Forks boys bowling team.
Butenko's accomplishments this season: Butenko topped the Division 2 series, games, and composite scores with a finish of 755, 279 and 2,186, respectively, at the Section 4 boys bowling championships, sending the Blue Devils to the state championships. Butenko ranked second in the Division 2 state championships.
