Mann, Jayne named Newcomer of the Year.
By: Brian Fees | Towanda Daily Review | June 13, 2018
2018 NTL and District 4 News
Kaeden Mann had his most dominant sports season in the Fall. Hailey Jayne had her biggest moments in the Spring.
Both of them helped their teams win district titles and the two are this year's The Daily & Sunday Review Newcomers of the Year for all sports.
Mann had a dominant freshman year for Wellsboro, while Jayne was dominant at Wyalusing in her first year.
"I loved it," Jayne said. "It was great being part of the teams, everyone was so supportive and I had so much fun freshman year."
It was a dream start to freshman year for Mann.
Mann helped lead Wellsboro to their first District 4 title this year. He had 19 goals and 45 points on the year, earning All-Region newcomer of the year honors for soccer.
"It was good having the district championship and playing state games, just having fun, having a winning record, it was a fun year," Mann said.
Getting a chance to contribute as a freshman was special for Mann.
"I just did my work and tried my best," he said. "It made me feel good about helping the team. It was fun, I was just trying to help the team."
For Jayne, it wasn't the most successful soccer season record-wise for the Rams, but she did get a chance to play and start in the Fall of her freshman year.
"Soccer was a little rough, but it was good being able to start on a team in my freshman year," she said.
In basketball Jayne, and many of the freshman, would come on the court together as a group off the bench.
"We have a good core freshman class as we move up our basketball team and softball team will be really good," Jayne said.
Softball season was a magical one for Jayne as she helped Wyalusing win a second straight District 4 title and she was the All-Region Player of the Year and the NTL Pitcher of the Year.
There were plenty of expectations on Jayne before she ever got to high school after all her success in Little League, but she was ready for it.
"I am used to people asking a lot from me because my dad's always been my coach and Mr. (Jack) Loomis is a great coach and I tried to do everything for him," Jayne said. "Little League definitely prepared me for high school ball."
One thing that helped Jayne to was having her dad as an assistant coach in softball season.
"It helps tremendously, my dad sometimes helps and says hey you should throw this pitch to her and you should get this girl out here with this certain pitch," Jayne said.
And, Jayne loved playing with the other freshman, like Callie Bennett, and the upperclassmen on the team as well.
"Callie is my second baseman and I love having her there, she's a great defensive player," Jayne said. "I also have a best friend, she's a senior — Sarah Bird — she's been great, she's such a team leader, I'm sad to see her go."
For Jayne winning a district title and reaching the state quarterfinals was special, next year she wants even more.
"It was amazing, I can't describe it," she said. "I can't wait till next year."
In baseball season Mann helped Wellsboro reach the District 4 final and he was an All-Region rookie team selection. After making the final, Mann would like to try and match his soccer title with a baseball one next year.
"Very badly," he said of wanting a baseball title. "Because it's fun."
For the freshman the entire freshman year set the stage for what is to come the next three years.
"It was a good experience for later years in high school," Mann said.
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