Dec. 1, 2007: The Salt Lake Tribune

Prep Wrestling: Top Utahn Has New Challenge
by Chhun Sun

LAYTON — Rumor has it Springville senior Jason Chamberlain's wrestling skills are so tremendous that someone actually traveled some 1,400 miles just for a shot at him.

"That's what I heard," Chamberlain said.

Then Dak Adamson confirmed it.

Adamson, a senior from Bishop Lynch High in Dallas and one of the best wrestlers in Texas, wanted to face the country's best - and that was Chamberlain, who is ranked No. 1 in the nation by Wrestling USA Magazine, at the annual Layton Invitational Tournament on Friday. The two-day event, which concludes today with the championship matches, is considered the toughest in the young season.

And Adamson couldn't miss the chance to face an old friend, since he grew up in Riverton before moving to Texas.

"It's an honor," said Chamberlain, who competes in the 145-pound class. "It's cool, I guess."

His answers were quick and straight to the point, just like his wrestling style - especially in the first day of the tournament, in which all Chamberlain wants to do is pin his opponents as quickly as possible so he can take naps in between and reboot.

Chamberlain, who has three state championships and a 153-2 overall record, is the ideal candidate for Adamson to prove himself against. Before this season, Adamson didn't compete for a year-and-a-half because of a left shoulder injury.

"He's the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the country," said Adamson, who has yet to make a college commitment, "and I want to wrestle him because I want to be ranked."

"Jason has something Dak has been needing - and that's the ranking," said Leroy Adamson, Dak's father. "His injury has put him out of the limelight, so he wants to show college coaches what he can do."

Chamberlain and Adamson won their three matches on Friday, and the latter won them all by first-period pins.

Adamson improved to 19-0 and with 18 pins.

Those two weren't the only stars at the tournament, though. Wasatch's Jake Salazar (who's bounded for Michigan) and Cyprus' Matt Brown (who recently committed to Iowa State) also competed.

* Dak Adamson, a star wrestler out of Dallas, travels some 1,400 miles in hopes of facing Springville's Jason Chamberlain after nearly two years away from the sport because of an injury.

* Adamson and Chamberlain advance to the second and final day of the Layton Invitational Tournament. Matches begin at 10 a.m. today.