April
7, 2008:
Deseret Morning News
Utahns Pin Down Titles at National
Tournament
by Michael Black
Utah wrestlers continued to show the
Beehive State has what it takes to compete at the national
level during the National High School Coaches Association
National Wrestling Championships at Virginia Beach, Va.
Jason Chamberlain became a two-time
national champion at 140 pounds after rolling over the
competition. He won the title as a junior propelling him
to the No. 1 ranking for his senior year at Springville.
After completing an undefeated season and winning a fourth
consecutive state title, he defended his national title
this past weekend. He was so dominant, he even picked up a
technical fall in the championship match.
Ethen Lofthouse from Mountain Crest also
became a repeat champion winning in the Junior Nationals
at 160 pounds after taking the title last season in the
sophomore class at 152 pounds. He had a tougher time in
his final match as he faced off against the defending
160-pound champ, Ryan LeBlanc from New York, but was able
to win a close 3-2 decision.
Several other Utah wrestlers placed at the
tournament as Chasen Tolbert of Delta was second at 103
pounds in the juniors. Other seniors included Justin
Ballantyne of American Fork (8th), Ryker Vandertoolen of
Bingham (7th), Wasatch's Blake Mangum (7th), Jarrett
Morrill of Mountain Crest (8th), teammates from Wasatch
Ethan Smith (4th) and Jake Salazar (6th), and Layton's
Adam Fager (5th).
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