Valley Sports ReportCLARION, Pa. - Tioga grad John Worthing, a freshman on the Clarion University wrestling team, got his first taste of collegiate wrestling Sunday at the Clarion Open and finished the day with a 2-2 record.
Wrestling unattached in the 149-pound weight class, Worthing blanked Patrick Ryan of American University, 2-0, in the opening round. Worthing scored a first-period takedown and made it stand in the win.
In the round-of-16, Worthing dropped a 9-4 decision to second-seeded Brock Port. Port scored a six-point move early in the first period, but Worthing scored a reversal in the first period, then a takedown midway through the third period to cut the deficit to 7-4.
In his first consolation bracket match, Worthing scored a takedown off the first-period whistle in a 2-0 win over Zach McCann of American University.
Worthing was eliminated by his teammate Jalen Hankerson in the consolation bracket round-of-8 via a 14-8 decision.
On Oct. 26, Clarion held its final set of wrestle-offs Saturday with the "Blue" squad defeating the "Gold" 25-13 in an intra-squad dual.
Worthing (Blue), a former New York State champion, topped Alec Cook (Gold), a former West Virginia state champ, 4-2.
Clarion returns to action Sunday when it hosts George Mason University.
""""""""""""
IN PHOTO: John Worthing.
