It’s time to vote for boys athlete of the 2023-24 winter sports season in Centre County
The winter sports season is over for Centre County athletes and it’s time to name an athlete of the season.
Centre County athletes broke records, won state titles and are set to continue their athletic careers at the next level.
As the spring season gets underway, the CDT is asking readers to vote for their favorite athletes of the winter season. Below are the nine nominees for boys athlete of the season, submitted by their school’s athletic directors. Bald Eagle did not submit nominees for the poll.
Please remember that this poll (located at the bottom of this story) is just for fun and non-scientific. In fact, you can vote as many times as you’d like before the poll closes at noon March 31.
Here are the nominees, presented in alphabetical order:
Carter Boone, Bellefonte swimming
Bellefonte swimming’s Carter Boone was named second team All-State in the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly this season. Boone was a state qualifier in both events and won the District 6 title in the events.
Asher Cunningham, State College wrestling
State College’s Asher Cunningham ended his junior year as a state champion. Cunningham went 37-1 on the this at 160 pounds on the way to winning his first state title. Nearly 75% of his matches were won by either major decision, technical fall, or fall. After dealing with an injury in the final quarter of the season, Cunningham continued to pile up bonus points in the postseason, winning seven of his nine postseason matches with bonus points. He defeated Central Dauphin’s Ryan Garvick in the state final, winning by a 2-0 decision. That match was also the 100th win of the Penn State wrestling commit’s career.
Marcus Gable, Philipsburg-Osceola wrestling
Philipsburg-Osceola’s Marcus Gable finished his wrestling career by going 45-8 as a senior and earning a medal at the 2024 PIAA Wrestling Championships with a seventh place finish. Gable went 120-38 in his career with 78% of his wins coming with bonus points. He finished in the top three in districts four times, making the finals three times and winning the title once. Gable placed four times at regionals in his career and will continue his wrestling career at Millersville University.
Sam Huggins, State College swimming
State College swimming’s Sam Huggins left the 2024 PIAA Swimming and Diving Championships with two silver medals. Huggins finished second in both the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle at the event. The North Carolina swimming commit set the school record in both events and was a two-time Mid Penn conference champion. Huggins was also named first team all-conference in the Mid Penn and won four district titles this season.
Sam Krasowitz, Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy boys basketball
Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy’s Sam Krasowitz was a Tri-Valley Athletic Association all-star nominee this year for the Wolfpack. He was an on-court leader for the team, averaging six points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal per game, while also making 34 3-pointers and taking 11 charges on defense.
Jacob McConnell, Bellefonte boys basketball
Bellefonte boys basketball’s Jacob McConnell was an off-court leader for the Raiders this season and it showed in his play on the court. McConnell averaged 15.2 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game and 3.1 steals per game this season for Bellefonte.
Liam Quigley, Penns Valley swimming
Penns Valley swimming’s Liam Quigley ends the season as the District 6 record holder in the 100 breaststroke after winning the district and LHAC titles in the event. He medaled at states in the event with a sixth place finish, while also finishing 10th there in the 100 freestyle — another event that he won the district and LHAC titles in.
Jayden Stamm, Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy boys basketball
Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy’s Jayden Stamm finished his season as the team’s leading scorer, earning himself a spot on the Tri-Valley Athletic Association all-star team. He averaged 17 points per game and made 62 3-pointers this season. Stamm also averaged four rebounds per game and over three steals per game while shooting 71 percent from the free throw line.
Ty Watson, Penns Valley wrestling
Penns Valley has its first three-time state medalist in wrestling in Ty Watson. Watson, who is committed to wrestle at Penn State, finished his career with 126 wins after posting a 38-8 record in his senior year and finishing eighth at the 2024 PIAA Wrestling Championships.
