BOILER – Big Red senior Brody Saccoccia signed his letter of intent Wednesday morning at the opening of the signing period to continue his college and wrestling career at Perdue. Saccoccia is a two-time OVAC champion, state champion and reigning Division II Most Outstanding Wrestler. Joining Brody, front, center, for the occasion were, seated, from left, family members Lucy, Tricia, Jojo and Libby Saccoccia and his youth coach, Jesse Hubbard and behind, wrestling coach of Big Red Ian Whittington and head football coach Reno Saccoccia. One chair, front left, was left empty to honor his college coach, the late Tommie Goff. -André Grimm

STEUBENVILLE — From the Big Red to the Big Ten.

Steubenville High School three-sport star Brody Saccoccia has officially chosen to take his talents to the wrestling mat at the collegiate level.

Saccoccia, the reigning Division II Most Outstanding Wrestler and 150-pound state champion, as well as a two-time OVAC champion, is headed to the highest level of college athletics as he signed to wrestle at Purdue Wednesday morning inside the Crimson Commons as a national open signing period.

“It means a lot” Saccoccia said. “I put a lot of work and many hours into wrestling. Making this official is exciting, I’m excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to get to West Lafayette.

The signing came a day after Saccoccia was named the Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year for a second straight season for his efforts on the football field. He is also a starter for the Big Red baseball team.

Surrounded by his family and coaches, he made an official commitment to the Boilermakers mat program by putting pen to paper.

“(Purdue head coach Tony) Ersland, (assistant head) coach (LeRoy) Vega and (assistant) coach (Jake) Sueflohn are all great coaches and great people and have made made West Lafayette feel like home away from home and I felt a good bond with the guys on the team there,” he said. “That’s where I felt most comfortable. Heat the boiler! »

The contributions of those around him have not escaped the elder.

“I have always had great support since I was a young child and I can’t thank them enough. » Saccoccia spoke about his family and his coaches. “It takes a village.”

He says participating in multiple sports helped him reach the next level.

“I think competing in multiple sports helped me. » Saccoccia said. “A lot of people only do one throughout the year, but I have a lot of fun doing several. It helped me a lot as a competitor.

In addition to the aforementioned championships, he was a state runner-up as a freshman and a state placer again as a sophomore before winning the title last spring. He has a sparkling career record of 117-12.

Additionally, he has been part of the Big Red’s last four consecutive appearances on the field, leading the team in tackles a year ago while also being Herald-Star/Daily Times All-Area team DPOY.

He hopes to add additional material to the collection before his time in Crimson and Black ends.

“I’m happy to make it official” Saccoccia said. “Hopefully in a few weeks we’ll be in Canton winning a (football) state title and I’ll be back in Columbus in March trying to win (a wrestling state title) again.”