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IAC WRESTLING: EXPECTATIONS REMAIN HIGH FOR TIOGA IN 2019-20 (2019-12-13)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER "” Despite losing four wrestlers who combined for more than 600 wins, including three that combined for eight state place-finishes and a state title, Tioga coach Kris Harrington has high expectations for 2019-20.

"I think we're as good as anyone in the State from 99 pounds to 160, then we're developmental from 170 to heavyweight, except for Dom (Wood) at 220," he said. "I don't think they're question marks.

"I don't want to measure what we do in December, let's measure what we do in January and February.," noted Harrington. "We're just looking for the kids to get better.

"I have a great staff between coach (Jason) Bellis and coach (Ryan) MacWhinnie, they're two of the best guys at developing talent that I've ever been around," added Harrington. "I have total confidence by the end of the year, we'll be right where we need to be, and competing for league, sectional, and state titles - and that's where we want to be."

It's become commonplace for Harrington, but he is once again keeping a close eye on his football players, who played into the second week of wrestling practice.

"I'll be managing workloads for a lot of our football players," said Harrington. "That's one of the adjustments I've made as a coach. You can't burn these guys at both ends, and expect the world out a guys who's been banged up.

"That's what I do with my schedule, too," he said. "I've backloaded our schedule, and kept December light, where we're wrestling a tournament on weekends, then have time to recover."

Returning Section IV runner-up 8th-grader Gianni Silvestri will start at 99 pounds, with 7th-grader Levi Bellis, and 8th-grader Deakon Bailey also seeing action.

"Gianni is primed for a huge year. I think he's one of the top guys in the State," said Harrington.

Eighth-grader Caden Bellis, who finished fourth in Section IV after losing to Silvestri in the semifinals, will man the 106-pound spot.

"One of the most exciting parts of this season is not having Gianni and Caden in the same weight class," said Harrington. "They were tired of wrestling each other, and we got tired of watching it.

"Caden and Gianni have both matured this year," noted Harrington. "They both had great off-seasons.

"Caden is also a candidate to get out of the Section," he added.

Freshman Donovan Smith, a two-time Section IV runner-up in Division 1 at Elmira, will likely be at 113 pounds once the postseason rolls around, but will start the year at 120,

"Donovan moving into the district has made our room stronger, and he's been a great presence there," said Harrington. "The expectation is high for him, and it's high for himself."

Freshman Emily Sindoni and senior Allyson Chapman will also see time at 113.

"Emily is one of our stalwarts coming back, and is a veteran presence," said Harrington. "I feel good about her at 113.

"I'm happy Allyson is back with the team, she's a great contributor in the room," he added.

Senior Jake Welch and sophomore Mason Welch, as well as freshman newcomer Camden Potter will be at 120 pounds.

"I suspect the Welch brothers will both be at 120 at the end of the year," said Harrington.

"Mason finished third in the Section last year, and once he gets his weight under control, he's going to be very solid," said Harrington.

"Jacob is not a secret to the coaches in the know, but I think people forgot about him," he noted. "He was one of the best guys in the State two years ago. I'm happy he came back.

"That workout group has to be one of the best in the State between Donovan, Jacob, Mason, and David (MacWhinnie)," added Harrington. "You can't have a better four-way than those four together."

Senior David MacWhinnie and junior Justin Hopkins will wrestle at 126 and 132, and freshman John Woodcock could also see time at both weights.

"David is a three-time Section IV place-finisher," said Harrington. "I think he's primed for a big trip to Albany this year."

"Hopkins picked up some big wins for us last year," noted Harrington. "I expect some good things from him this season.

"Woodcock had a lot of accolades as a developmental youth wrestler," added Harrington. "We're excited to get him into the room."

Returning state champ Brady Worthing, who also quarterbacked the football team to the state semifinals and was a shortstop on last year's Section IV championship baseball team will man the 138-pound weight class.

"He's pretty good at sports," quipped Harrington.

"Brady is one of the most talented athletes I've ever coached," he said. "One of the most impressive things about Brady is that when the lights are the brightest, he normally shines. Most high school kids shy away from those bright lights, but Brady loves the bright lights.

"He may take some losses during the year, but once we get to Sectionals and the state tournament, there are not many guys I'd want in that position over him.

"He has ice in his veins," added Harrington. "He's a stud."

Senior Kyle Lunger, who has been away from the program for two years, will wrestle at 145.

Sophomore Emmett Wood, a two-time Section IV place-finisher, will man the 152-pound weight class.

"He was third in the Section last year, and fourth the year before, and he's only a sophomore," said Harrington.

Right now, the 160-pound weight class is a question mark, although Harrington expects sophomore Josh Snell, who will begin the season at 170, to get down there.

Newcomers junior Matt Milner, sophomore Ryleigh Shedden, and Bradley Guiles will for the starting spot at 182 pounds.

Senior Aaron Howard, who saw action at 285 and 220 last year, will start at 195 this year.

"Aaron Howard has lost nearly 100 pounds and will wrestle 195 this year," said Harrington. "What an accomplishment. He's changed his body, he looks great."

Senior Dom Wood will start at 220, and senior Jared Lamb will also see action there.

"I'm looking for Dom to build on last year when he qualified for Sectionals," said Harrington. "I think he's going to be one of the better guys in the Section this year.

"He just looks like a different kid, much more confident this year," noted Harrington.

"I'm expecting big things out of Jared, too," added Harrington. "He looks like a different kid in the room right now."

Junior newcomer Cole Williams will get the nod at 285 pounds.

"He's every bit as big as Stephen (Taylor), we just need to get him seasoned," said Harrington. "He may take some lumps in the early-going, but we expect him to be pretty solid by the end of the year."

Harrington said kids will be shifting in weight classes throughout the season.

"This team is really flexible," he said. "Last year, it was "˜here's our line-up,' but we have a ton of flexibility this year.

"We have some really, really young talent in the 8th-, 9th- and 10th-grades," added Harrington. "We're going to have quality teams here for years to come."

Harrington believes you should keep an eye on a bunch of his wrestlers.

"Other guys to look out for this year?," laughed Harrington. "We have a lot of guys, our light weights are really good.

"Our 99-pounder (Giovanni Silvestri) and 106-pounder (Caden Bellis), there's a lot of talent there - both are returning Section IV place-winners.

"Donovan Smith, if you don't know him, he's a little different than most of our guys," said Harrington. "He's a little flashier, but what a talent.

"Jacob and Mason Welch, there are high expectations there," he noted. "Justin Hopkins gets overlooked, but he was sixth in the Section last year.

"And, Dom Wood is like a new man this year, and has a real chance to do big things," added Harrington.

AROUND THE IAC: "I think SVEC and Newark Valley have the fullest line-ups, and Waverly is much better this year," said Harrington. "I think those three teams are pretty even, and are all pretty solid.

"Dryden also returns some really good wrestlers," he added.

AROUND SECTION IV: "It's the usual suspects," said Harrington.

"Windsor is very strong, and I think they're the team to beat this year," he noted. "BGAH is strong, and Walton has a strong team. I think those three teams are the three of the top teams.

"But don't count us out, I feel pretty good about where we're at, too," added Harrington.

"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO 1: Tioga's Brady Worthing on the podium last year at the New York State Championships.


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