VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: TIOGA'S WORTHING CAPS BRILLIANT SENIOR YEAR WITH 2018-19 BOYS 'ATHLETE OF YEAR' HONOR (2019-06-21)
Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY "”
Tioga's John Worthing put together an impressive senior year, winning a state title on the wrestling mats, winning this site's top honors on the gridiron, and starting on a Section IV championship baseball team to earn
Valley Sports Report's 2018-19 Boys "
Athlete of the Year."
John Worthing, who is joined on the "Super 7" by his younger brother Brady, is the only senior on the list. (The Super 7 is primarily dedicated to honor three-sport athletes.)
John Worthing was crowned New York State champion at 138 pounds just 15 minutes after Brady Worthing to become the first duo to share
Valley Sports Report "
Wrestler of the Year" honors.
John Worthing was 39-3 on the season, and avenged a loss in this year's Section IV finals with a 3-0 win over BGAH's Brody Oleksak in the state semifinals. He went on to win the 138-pound title with a 4-2 decision over Zach Braddell.
John Worthing, who has committed to wrestle at Division I Clarion University, will graduate with a 206-32 record and three top-three state place-finishes. He was the top seed at 113 pounds at States as a junior, but was forced to withdraw due to illness.
On the gridiron, John Worthing did everything for Tioga, and he did it very well, earning him the 2018
Valley Sports Report Football "
Player of the Year." He was also second-team all-state as an all-purpose performer on offense.
At 140 pounds, Worthing rushed for 1,050 yards and 13 TDs, with the large majority of them coming between the tackles. He led the Tigers with 17 receptions for 232 yards and three TDs.
Worthing was also among the team leaders in tackles, led the team in interceptions, returned punts, and handled the long-snapping chores.
He was a first-team selection on the VSR All-Valley football team at running back, defensive back, and punt returner.
On the baseball diamond, John Worthing was a speedy outfield who was equally adept with a first baseman's glove. He hit .290 (20 hits in 69 ABs) with four doubles, 16 RBI, 20 runs scored, and eight RBI.
The remainder of the 2018-19 Boys "
Super 7 Athletes of the Year" are:
Brady Worthing, junior, Tioga: Like his brother, Brady Worthing was a state champion on the wrestling mats, and was a major contributor on the gridiron and the baseball diamond.
Brady Worthing forged a 40-4 record on the mats, and avenged a loss in last year's 126-pound state finals with a 7-3 win over two-time state champion Trent Svingala, who had won 128 consecutive matches, in this year's semifinals. He went on to win the 132-pound state title with a 5-1 decision over Victor Perlleshi.
Brady Worthing is now 131-33 with a state title, and a runner-up finish.
Last fall, Worthing took over the QB duties and handled them flawlessly, whether it was directing the misdirection or running the option. He was also a solid presence on defense in the Tioga secondary.
Offensively, Worthing completed 51 percent (28 of 55) of his passes for 479 yards and three TDs with three interceptions. He also ran for 633 yards (7.1 yards per carry) and seven TDs.
This spring, Brady Worthing, a strong glove at shortstop, hit .358 (24 hits in 67 ABs), with three doubles, one triple, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. He also posted a 3-0 record, and did not allow an earned run in 19 innings pitched with 31 strike outs, and just one walk and seven hits allowed.
Isaac Chandler, junior, Waverly: Chandler qualified for States in two events - pole vault and the hurdles - for both the New York indoor and outdoor track & field championships.
This spring, Chandler won a bronze medal in the pole vault and also placed eighth in the 110-meter hurdles at the, and was the repeat winner of the VSR Boys Track & Field "Athlete of the Year."
At the IAC Championships, Chandler won pole vault with personal-best vault of 14-feet, 9-inches. He also won the 110- and 400-meter hurdles, and ran on the fourth-place 400-meter relay team.
At Class B, Chandler won 110-meter hurdles in school-record time of 14.87 seconds, and also won the pole vault At the State Qualifier, Chandler won the pole vault and finished eighth in hurdles, after falling in the finals.
This winter, Chandler enjoyed a stellar indoor track & field campaign, setting a school record, and qualifying for States in two events - the pole vault and 55-meter hurdles.
Chandler finished fifth in the pole vault at the New York State Championships, tying his own school record of 14-feet, 6-inches. He vaulted 14-6 in each of his last three meets. He also finished 26th in the 55-meter hurdles with a personal-best time of 8.08 seconds.
A rookie on the gridiron, Chandler carried the ball 15 times for 94 yards (6.3 yards per carry) and two TDs.
Austin Lamb, senior, Tioga: Lamb was a first-team all-state linebacker on the gridiron and won his third medal at the state wrestling tournament with a career-best fourth-place finish.
Lamb put the finishing touches on a brilliant career with his third state medal, a fourth-place finish at 145 pounds. He finished sixth at States as a sophomore, and fifth as a junior.
Lamb also won his second Section IV title, and his first title at the rugged Windsor Christmas Tournament. He finished his senior season with a 45-3 record, and a 206-47 career mark.
A standout two-way performer, Lamb was an All-Valley selection as an offensive lineman and linebacker. He was also the VSR "Postseason Player of the Year."
Lamb was key component on a Tioga offensive line that paved the way to 332 yards per game on the ground, and 55 rushing TDs on the season. On defense, he was also among the team leaders in tackles for the Tigers.
This spring, Lamb was a consistent points-winner during the regular season as a thrower on the Tioga track & field team.
Dylan Ward, senior, Waverly: Ward was a standout on the hardwoods and the track for the Wolverines, and was a key newcomer on the gridiron.
Ward averaged a double-double, and led the Valley in rebounding to earn the moniker of 2018-19 Valley Sports Report Boys Basketball "Player of the Year."
Long and athletic, Ward took on the leadership role for a very young Wolverine team early in the season when 6-8 junior Scott Woodring suffered a season-ending knee injury. Despite having a target on his back as Waverly's only proven player, Ward continued his strong play.
Ward, who could score from behind the 3-point arc or going to the rim - and anywhere in between, averaged 16.9 points and 12.5 rebounds, as well as 1.6 steals, 1.5 blocks, and 1.2 assists per game. He also knocked down 25 3 -pointers on the season.
This spring, Ward had a most surprising run to States, churning out a school-record time of 1:57.45 to win the 800-meter run at the State Qualifier. He finished 33rd at States in 2:03.44. Ward finished eighth in the high jump at the State Qualifier, and also ran on eighth-place 3,200-meter relay.
A first-year player on the gridiron, Ward led the Wolverines in receiving and was a surprisingly physical presence in the secondary. He had 16 catches for 278 yards and three TDs.
Aaron Lane, junior, Athens: A three-sport standout, Lane was a major contributor for the Wildcats on the soccer pitch, basketball hardwoods, and baseball diamond.
On the hardwoods, Lane, a deadly 3-point shooter, is also extremely difficult to stop taking the ball to the rim. He averaged 19.8 points, 2.4 steals, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. He made 94 free throws and 50 3-pointers.
On the soccer pitch, Lane had a habit of being in the right place at the right time, and used his quickness, accurate leg, and good vision to register a double-double in goals and assists. He had 15 goals and 11 assists.
This spring, Lane enjoyed a strong season on the mound for the Wildcats, posting a 5-1 record with a 0.43 ERA. He struck out 12 and walked 14, while allowing 12 hits in 29 2/3 innings pitched. Opponents hit .200 against him.
Collin Wright, sophomore, Waverly: Wright is building quite a resume, and added to it this year, qualifying for States in cross country in the fall, and outdoor track & field this spring.
This spring, Wright broke a a pair of school records in the postseason, and qualified for States in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
At the IAC Championships, Wright won the 3,000-meter steeplechase in a school-record time of 10:02.85, which he would later break again. He also won the 3,200-meter run, and ran on second-place 3,200-meter relay At the Class B Championships, Wright finished second in the 3,200-meter run in school-record time of 9:52.02, and ran on wining 3,200-meter relay.
At the State Qualifier, Wright won the 3,000-meter steeplechase in school-record time of 9:53.71 to advance to States, where he finished 12th. Wright also finished eighth in the 3,200-meter run at the State Qualifier, and ran on the eighth-place 3,200-meter relay.
In the fall, Wright narrowly missed qualifying for States at the Section IV meet, but ended up advancing to States for the second straight year after a runner withdrew. He finished 57th in a time of 18:15.3, which was 13 seconds faster than 2017.
Wright won the Tom Koons Valley Invite, finished fourth at the IAC Championships, and was eighth at the Section IV Championships.
Wright repeated as VSR's boys cross country "
Runner of the Year."
This winter, Wright finished eighth in the 3,200-meter relay at the Section IV Indoor Track & Field State Qualifier. He also ran on a fourth-place relay.
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IN PHOTO: Tioga senior John Worthing.
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PAST WINNERS"Male Athlete Of Year"2009-10 - Kevin Gorman, Waverly
2010-11 - Taylor Skerpon, Sayre
2011-12 - Jeff Mastrantuono, Waverly
2012-13 - Zach Cooney, Waverly
2013-14 - Jesse Manuel, Tioga
2014-15 - Jesse Manuel, Tioga
2015-16 - Jesse Manuel, Tioga
2016-17 - Hunter Bodine, Waverly
2017-18 - Connor Hutchison, Tioga
2018-19 - John Worthing, Tioga
