Athens wrestlers, Kaden Setzer and Gavin Bradley sign to compete at the collegiate level
ATHENS, P.A. (WENY) - It was a big day for Athens wrestling. Two of the program's standout wrestlers put pen to paper on Monday to compete at the collegiate level.
Kaden Setzer signed to wrestle for Kent State, while Gavin Bradley signed to compete for Castleton University.
This past season, Setzer was an NTL First Team Selection in the 132-pound class. He finished in second place in the District IV North Section in Class AA, and also picked up wins in the District IV Championships bracket. Setzer plans to major in Architecture at Kent State.
Bradley was this year's PIAA State Champion at 113 along with being a first-place finisher in the Section and a District IV runner-up. He was named the NTL Wrestler of the Year and finished with a 16-1 overall record. Bradley says he plans to major in Wildlife Conservation and Forestry Management. He's also started a podcast on Spotify called Wild Animal Podcast.
WENY Sports caught up with both student-athletes as they discussed why they felt their destinations were the right fit.
"They had my major and it's a great school with my major, really the academic side of it" said Setzer. "Getting in a bigger room with the competition is just going to be insane" he added.
"The community up there was so helpful. Everybody is just trying to be successful. Everybody is just trying to push their student academically up there" said Bradley. "It's so tight-knit, it's a lot like Athens where everybody just wants you to succeed academically."
The two wrestlers also reflected on their successful and memorable careers at Athens, and ta;led about what they'll cherish the most.
"The coaching staff, how awesome it was to wrestle with some of the guys on the staff and in the room every day" said Setzer.
"I'll never forget graduating from here, forever I'll be a Wildcat so it's a pretty special feeling" said Bradley. "Having my dad wrestle for this school and having my uncle wrestle for this school and coach at this school, makes everything that much special."

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