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Crater's Godley signs with Oregon By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN CENTRAL POINT -- The University of Oregon wrestling program has tapped a little deeper into its Crater High talent pipeline. Crater senior Justin Godley on Wednesday became the fourth wrestler from coach Greg Haga's program in four years to sign a letter of intent with Oregon Wednesday. Godley, 18, was the 1999 Class 4A high school state champion at 135 pounds. "It's the highlight of my life so far," he said Friday at a press conference in the Comets' wrestling room. "It makes all the hard work worth it. "Oregon was my first choice, so I'm very happy." Duck coach Chuck Kearney, who did not attend the signing, said by phone that Godley will strengthen Oregon for the future. "We felt we needed to sign him early to be sure we got him," said Kearney. "If you don't do that, he could get away to somebody else. We felt if we played the waiting game with him, we might lose. "Justin is very typical of the Crater wrestlers. He's a hard worker who goes out and competes hard. When you have to go out to wrestle him, you have to wrestle him for six minutes hard. If you don't, he will beat you." Godley just beat the deadline for the NCAA's early signing period for high school seniors. "They called me at the start of the week and offered me a full scholarship," said Godley. "I was surprised but happy. That's what I was waiting to hear from them." Oregon was highest on his list in part because of the Comets who had gone before him, Godley said, referring to Doug Lee, Matt Lee and Tony Overstake. "I also wanted to be there because it's close to home, and I like the program and the coaches," he said. Matt Lee, a state champion for the Comets in 1999, is a freshman for the Ducks. "It will be nice to go into the wrestling room and see some friendly faces," said Godley. "That will help me feel more comfortable faster." Haga says Godley is a young wrestler full of promise. "He has a lot of range, and he's still developing physically," said Haga. "I don't think he even shaves yet. He's going to be able to put on another 15 to 20 pounds easily and keep developing. He will be a good Division I wrestler." Haga is a former NAIA national champion for Southern Oregon. "My heart is really at Southern Oregon, and I would like to have seen him go there," said Haga. "But you can't turn down a full scholarship." Godley says he joined the Junior Comets' wrestling program when he was in the seventh grade in Central Point. "Art Lee (father of Doug and Matt Lee) called me up one day and asked me to go to a tournament with them and wrestle," said Godley. "I tried it and I liked it right away." And it's led him to a college scholarship. He plans to major in sports medicine at Oregon. "I'm going to work hard to get a degree, get good grades and be successful at Oregon," said Godley. "I feel fortunate to have a chance to get a free education through wrestling. Hopefully, I can pay the program back for that with my wrestling." As a sophomore, Godley finished second in the state at 135. The Comets have won two state championships (1993 and '98) under Haga. They finished second in 1994, third in 1990 and fourth in '92. "When you have success like we've had, the young kids keep coming," said Godley. "They want to win like the older wrestlers did. I'm glad I could be a part of that." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.