After thousands of votes cast across golf, soccer and cross country, it is time to reveal this year’s Beaver County Times fall high school sports preseason players of the year, decided by you, the fans.
The players selected played a significant role individually and for their program last season and are key pillars to their schools this year.
Here is a look at this year’s poll winners.
Boys Soccer: Hayden Dunn, Moon Area
The senior forward will be a big returning piece to the program’s success in 2026, earning 34% of the vote to take home preseason player of the year honors.
Girls Soccer: Mia Furda, Beaver Area
The junior has played an instrumental role in the team’s success and last year was no different, netting eight goals and nine assists. Furda took home 42 percent of the vote.
Boys Golf: Derek Hughes, Beaver Area
Hughes is the second Beaver Area athlete to win preseason player of the year honors. While known for his success on the diamond, Hughes had a big season on the links, qualifying for last season’s WPIAL championship final round in Class 2A. The senior racked up 34 percent of the vote in the poll.
Girls Golf: Gianna Fussetti, Blackhawk
Fussetti will be a player to watch for Blackhawk this season, slotting in near the top of the lineup after some roster turnover due to graduation. She took home a whopping 54 percent of the vote.
Boys Cross Country: Brody Graham, Blackhawk
Graham enters his senior season after individually qualifying for the PIAA cross country championships, following a ninth-place finish in the Class 2A race. He walked away with over 73 percent of the vote.
Girls Cross Country: Sophia D’Addio, Ellwood City
The sophomore put together a strong freshman season, qualifying for the WPIAL 2A championship and running a time of 21:25.90. D’Addio racked up 54 percent of the vote.
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Girls Volleyball: Mikayla Kurta, Hopewell
Kurta was impressive during her junior campaign, helping Hopewell advance back to its second straight WPIAL championship. The Point Park recruit took over 44 percent of the vote in the poll.
Ethan Morrison is the sports reporter for the Beaver County Times. Contact him at emorrison@usatodayco.com and follow him at EthanMorrison26 on X.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Beaver Valley high school fall sports preseason poll winners