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VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: WAVERLY'S HAMMOND HEADLINES 'SUPER 7' AS GIRLS "ATHLETE OF THE SPRING" (2019-06-18)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY "” Senior Wendi Hammond re-wrote the Waverly record books, both at the plate, and in the pitcher's circle, leading the Lady Wolverines to their first-ever Section IV title and earning the 2019 Valley Sports Report Girls "Athlete of the Spring."

A first-team all-state pitcher last year, Hammond put up incredible numbers in the circle during her senior season. She posted an 18-3 record with a 0.57 ERA and a school-record 259 strikeouts in 123 2/3 innings, while walking just 15 and allowing only 47 hits. Batters hit just .129 against her on the season. She tossed a school-record four no-hitters and was also part of a combined no-hitter

Hammond hit .532 (33 hits in 62 ABs) with five doubles, two triples, a school-record 14 home runs, 37 RBI, a school-record 51 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases. She walked 23 times for an on-base percentage of .670, to go along with a 1.355 slugging percentage, and a staggering OPS of 2.025.

Hammond, who was the VSR "Player of the Year," and "Pitcher of the Year," will be playing Division 1 softball at the University at Albany in the fall.

The remainder of the Girls "Super 7 Athletes of the Spring" are:

Rachel Hutchison, senior, Athens: Hutchison, who started running the 300-meter hurdles midway through her junior year, fell on the first hurdle at the state meet last year, but returned for her senior season on a mission.

She won the 300-meter hurdles nearly every time out this season, and was one of the Lady Wildcats' top point-getters during the regular season, racking up first-place finishes in all the sprint events..

At the NTL Championships, Hutchison won the 300-meter hurdles, as well as the 100- and 200-meter sprints, and was on the winning 1,600-meter relay team.

At the District 4 Championships, she won the 300 hurdles and was on the state-qualifying 1,600-meter relay team. She finished third in the 200 dash and the 400-meter relay.

At the PIAA Track & Field Championships, Hutchison ran the second-fastest time in the preliminaries, then ran a school-record time of 44.69 seconds in the finals to win a gold medal. She also ran on the 10th-place 1,600-meter relay at States.

Hutchison was the VSR Girls "Track Athlete of the Year."

With her track career in the rear-view mirror, Hutchison will be playing Division I soccer at St. Bonaventure.

Alex Tomasso, senior, Waverly: Tomasso finished off her brilliant career with an accomplishment few will ever duplicate, qualifying for States for a sixth time. With that, she was named the 2019 Valley Sports Report "Golfer of the Year."

Tomasso led Waverly to a 20-0 regular-season mark - its fourth consecutive unbeaten season. She will graduate not having been on the losing end of a dual match since near the end of her 8th-grade season as the Lady Wolverine win streak is currently at 118 matches.

Tomasso also led Waverly to its fourth straight IAC title, and its fourth straight Section IV championship. She won low-medal honors at the IACs for the fourth time with a league-record round of 81, then finished third at the Section IV Championships.

 Tomasso shot rounds of 85 and 87 to finish with a two-day total of 172 to finish 18th and earn all-state honors for the second time in her career.

Cora Smith, junior, Waverly: Smith was a dominant distance runner and big point-getter for the Lady Wolverines all season.

At the IAC Championships, Smith won the 1,500-meter run and 3,000-meter run, and was on winning 3,200-meter relay. She finished third in the 800-meter run.

Smith also won the 1,500 and 3,000 at the Class B Championships, and also ran on the winning 3,200 relay.

Smith  the 3,000 at the State Qualifier in a school-record time of 10:24.64, and ran on the state-qualifying 3,200 relay. She finished seventh in the 1,500.

At States, Smith earned a sixth-place medal in the 3,200 relay, which was the VSR "Relay of the Year," and finished 18th in the 3,000.

Ariana Gambrell, senior, Athens: Gambrell returned to the PIAA Championships in the 100-meter hurdles. She narrowly missed the finals in the 100 hurdles and finished ninth for the second consecutive year.

At the District 4 Championships, Gambrell finished second in the 110-meter hurdles, and fourth in the long jump and the shot put. She was on the third-place 400-meter relay team.

At the NTL Championships, Gambrell won the 100 hurdles, the long jump, and the shot put. She finished fourth in the triple jump.

Gambrell will be running Division 1 track & field at Bucknell University in the fall.

Emma Adams, senior, Athens: A speedy outfielder with a strong arm, Adams enjoyed a tremendous season at the plate. She hit .564 (31 hits in 55 ABs) with eight doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 13 RBI, 24 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. She walked 10 times for a .642 on-base percentage, to go along with a 1.127 slugging percentage, and an impressive 1.769 OPS.

Adams did not commit an error in center field this season.

She will be playing Division 1 softball at the University at Albany in the fall.

Megan Bennett, junior Athens:
Bennett was dominant in the circle this season, posting a 12-3 record with a 0.94 ERA. She struck out 157 and walked 18, while allowing 71 hits in 110 1/3 innings. Opponents hit .190 against her. She tossed eight shutouts, including one-no-hitter.

Bennett also helped herself at the plate. She hit .419 (26 hits in 62 ABs) with four doubles, one triple, 14 RBI, 10 RBI, and three steals.

"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO: Waverly senior Wendi Hammond.

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