July 28, 2007: Provo Daily Herald

Jason Chamberlain Story
by Russ Lyman

After three high school wrestling state championships in three seasons, a title at the prestigious Reno Tournament of Champions, an undefeated season and countless other tournament wins, it would seem as if Springville's Jason Chamberlain had very little left to accomplish at the high school level.

And now he has even less.

The senior-to-be crossed off yet another goal from his lengthy list recently, this time it was the grand-daddy of wrestling, the USA Wrestling National Tournament in Fargo, N.D. On Thursday he wrapped up his first ever national freestyle championship in the 135-pound weight class.

"I've won different national tournaments but this is the toughest one. It's been known as the toughest HS tournament in the nation," Chamberlain said. "I think for the most part this is pretty much the most you can do in high school."

Not only did Chamberlain get the monkey of winning the tournament off of his back, but he did it by finally beating longtime nemesis Norman Richmond from Oregon in the final. Prior to Thursday, Richmond had won four matches in a row against Chamberlain, including the championship match in Greco-Roman earlier.

This time around, not only did Chamberlain beat Richmond, but he did so easily, winning 5-1, 5-0, in the best 2-of-3 rounds freestyle scoring format.

"Before I wrestled him, my coach said this is what we've worked all year for," Chamberlain said. "I figured out how to wrestle him a little bit better. Before, I was cautious, but this year I just did what I do best and wore him out. The kids that know me know that I lose to that kid a lot, so the Utah kids kind of mobbed me after the final."

Although defeating Richmond in the final proved to be easier than expected, getting to that point was anything but easy.

In his first match of the unseeded tournament, Chamberlain had to face off with Matt Bryan, an All-American from Oklahoma who took third in the tournament last year. After beating Bryan, Chamberlain cruised through to win his next eight matches to advance to his pool final against New Jersey's Max Shanaman, which proved to be his toughest match.

In the first period Shanaman got the first takedown, but Chamberlain fought back to get a last-second takedown to win the period 1-1 (tiebreaker goes to the wrestler who scores last). Shanaman dominated the second period and took it 4-1 to force Chamberlain's only three-period match. In the deciding third period, Shanaman once again got the first takedown, but Chamberlain returned the favor with a minute left to tie it at 1-1. Chamberlain held on to win the match and advance to the final.

"I just kind of wore him down and squeaked it out," Chamberlain said.

The championship fulfilled a lifetime goal of Chamberlain's, one he for which he has worked tirelessly year around.

"I wrestle probably 8 or 9 months out of the year and if I'm not wrestling I'm running or lifting weights to get ready for when I do have to wrestle," he said. "I work all year long, mostly for this tournament that I just won. Sometimes I tell people I'm going to tournaments and they're like, 'I thought wrestling was over,' and I tell them that it's just starting."

Although Chamberlain was ecstatic with winning the tournament, he almost didn't go at all. In the months leading up to the Fargo tournament, Chamberlain lacked the funds it would take to go. However, financial donations flowed in from Springville, Mapleton and throughout the state which enabled him to compete.

"I don't know how we made it happen, but I guess enough people helped me," he said. "I'd just like to thank all the people that helped me. There were a lot of people I didn't even know who sent money anonymously."

The tournament win goes to further enhance Chamberlain's already illustrious resume, which by February could also include four-time state champion. With every tournament win and state championship, Chamberlain further entrenches himself as one of the state's best wrestlers ever.

Other honors: Chamberlain wasn't the only local wrestler who did well at the national tournament in Fargo. Wasatch's Jake Salazar brought home a third place finish in Greco-Roman, good enough for All-American honors.

Utah's contingent had two other wrestlers win national championships with Alta's Carson Kuhn winning the 91-pound title and Mountain Crest's Ethen Lofthouse winning at 160 pounds.

Despite having far fewer wrestlers than many of the other states competing, Utah finished in 14th place in freestyle at the tournament.