Beaver County Times' spring sports athlete of the year fan vote results

[ASFN Admin]

With the 2026 PIAA championships wrapping up on Friday, June 12 for Beaver Valley programs, with Blackhawk High School softball facing off against Valley View in the PIAA 4A softball championship, the 2025-26 high school athletics season has come to an end.

After thousands of votes have been cast, it is time to announce the Beaver County Times’ spring sports athletes of the year for baseball, softball, lacrosse, boys volleyball and track and field, decided by you, the fans.

Here is a look at this year’s winners.

Baseball​

August Lichtner, Western Beaver​

Lichtner had a breakout season for Western Beaver, finishing as one of the team’s top hitters, recording 24 hits while driving in 16 runs. The junior infielder also hit six doubles, a triple and racked up 16 stolen bases.

Softball​

Cali Coups, Beaver Area​

With 70 at-bats logged during the 2026 campaign, Coups made the most of those opportunities, leading Beaver Area with 32 hits while driving in 16 runs. The senior also hit six doubles and a home run while stealing six bases.

Boys lacrosse​

Jake Donesec, Sewickley Academy​

Donesec achieved a significant career milestone during his junior campaign, reaching 100 goals and 100 points in his career. Donesec was also named first-team all-section for Section II.

Girls lacrosse​

Amelia Buffalini, Blackhawk​

The senior midfielder was named to the first-team all-section in her final season and was one of the driving forces in helping Blackhawk qualify for the WPIAL quarterfinals before bowing out to WPIAL runner-up Quaker Valley.

Boys volleyball​

Nathan Sheffield, Ambridge​

Despite a down year after finishing as the WPIAL runner-up during the 2025 campaign, Sheffield was one of the leaders of the Bridgers program. The senior outside hitter was named to the All-WPIAL first team and was also named to the all-section first team for Section IV.

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Boys track​

Jalen Harvey, Aliquippa​

Harvey was one of Aliquippa’s top sprinters during the 2026 season, qualifying for the WPIAL championships, posting a personal best time of 10.86 in the preliminaries before placing fifth in the finals. At the Beaver County Championships, the sophomore won silver in the 100 and placed fourth in the 200.

Boys field​

Carter Moore, South Side​

The senior takes home the boys field athlete of the year after a strong finish to his year, qualifying for the PIAA state meet after winning gold at the WPIAL championships, after clearing 13-00. He also took home silver at the Beaver County Championships, posting a top flight of 13-01.

Girls track​

Brielle Emler, New Brighton​

As a freshman, Emler qualified for the WPIAL championships with a 15th-place finish in the 3,200-meter run. At the Beaver County Championships, Emler took home silver in the 3,200, silver in the 1,600 and a fourth-place finish in the 800.

Girls field​

Emily Bauknight, Hopewell​

The senior qualified for the WPIAL championships and finished 11th overall in the field, posting a flight of 8-06. She also finished with silver at the Beaver County Championships with a best flight of 8-07.

Ethan Morrison is the sports reporter for the Beaver County Times. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him at EthanMorrison26 on X.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: The Times reveals spring sports athelte of the year fan vote results

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