By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER "" Tioga senior Brady Worthing signed a National Letter-of-Intent Friday morning to continue his wrestling career at Division I Clarion University next fall.
"When I visited Clarion, it was just a great atmosphere," said Worthing. "The coaches were great, and wanted me to sign right away.
"I just felt like it was the right place for me," he added.
Worthing also had interest from other Division I schools, but only visited one.
"I visited George Mason in Virginia. It was a nice place, I just felt Clarion was a better fit."
The three-time New York State finalist will join his brother (redshirt freshman) John Worthing, who was also a state champ at Tioga, at Clarion, but said that definitely wasn't a deciding factor in his decision.
"I don't think (John) being there was a factor. I liked the other guys and the coaches, and i just liked it there," he said.
"John being there will be nice. It will be like here (Tioga), but out there," laughed Worthing.
Tioga coach Kris Harrington believes Worthing is prepared for the jump to the Division I ranks.
"He's wrestled all over the country against top-level competition already," he said. "I think his prep work, in terms of his off-season training, will at least have him prepared to where he's ready for that level of competition.
"His x-factor has always been on top," noted Harrington. "He's really good on top, and if you're good on top at the college level, it really takes you to a different place."
"Brady could have some immediate success, he just has to trust his leg attacks," he added. "This year, on his feet, was the best I've ever seen Brady, he could attack both sides. I see that as being one of his keys to success."
Harrington also believes having his brother there will be a benefit.
"I think with John there, there's a level of comfort for Brady that John didn't have, so maybe he gets off to a little faster start."
Worthing knows he still has plenty of work to do to be successful at the next level.
"Bottom, top, neutral - everything," he said. "I'll be able to work year-round there, getting better at all positions.
"There will be better competition on a daily basis, and more practices," added Worthing. "I'm really liking forward to it, it's going to be fun."
Harrington believes Worthing will spend a lot of time in the weight room.
"I think he needs to get bigger and stronger, and figure out what weight class he's going to be," he said. "I would guess they're probably going to redshirt him next year, and get him big.
"Look at John (Worthing) now, he's a full-size 149-pounder, after graduating at 138 pounds," added Harrington. "I think you'll see the same thing from Brady."
Worthing will be majoring in Sports Management.
""""""""""""
IN PHOTO 1: Brady Worthing. IN PHOTO 2: Brady Worthing, flanked by his parents Nicole and Willie, and his brother John (standing). IN PHOTO 3: From left: former assistant coach Brandon MacWhinnie, assistant coach Ryan MacWhinnie, Brady Worthing, head coach Kris Harrington, and assistant coach Jason Bellis. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
