Jason Chamberlain has logged a lot of miles to become a
better wrestler.
"It's tough to find good workout
partners where I live, so after high school practice I
drive 50 miles every day to Salt Lake City," said
Chamberlain, a senior at Springville High School in
Utah. "I work out at the Vandit Wrestling Club. I've
been going there since I was in sixth grade."
Chamberlain is now a senior and recently completed
his scholastic career with a fourth consecutive Class
AAAA title. Take one look at his 191-2 career record and
it's easy to see why Chamberlain has been chosen for The
Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic March 15 at the University
of Pittsburgh's Fitzgerald Field House.
"The drive to Salt Lake City takes one hour each way,
but it's worth it," said Chamberlain. "You have to be
willing to put in the extra time to be a champion."
Utah is not considered a hotbed for scholastic or
collegiate wrestling but does boast one of the most
successful wrestling families in the country. The
Sanderson brothers (Cael, Cole and Cody) are all Dapper
Dan Wrestling Classic alumni.
"The Sandersons father told me about The Dapper Dan
two years ago," Chamberlain said. "He told me that if I
ever get a chance to wrestle in The Classic, don't miss
that opportunity. I was freaking out when I got the
letter in January. It's the coolest thing to be chosen
for a prestigious event like The Classic."
Chamberlain claimed his first Utah state title as a
112-pound freshman and finished with an impressive 48-1
record. He moved to 125 for his sophomore season and
posted a 50-1 record en route to his second title.
Chamberlain moved to 140 last season and has since
recorded 93 consecutive wins and claimed two more
titles.
"I can't wait for my appearance at The Classic," said
Chamberlain, who is ranked No. 1 in the country by
Wrestling International Newsmagazine at 140 pounds. "I'm
anxious to find out who I'm wrestling."
The Classic Selection Committee will meet tomorrow
night, after the PIAA finals, to chose its Pennsylvania
and WPIAL all-stars.
Two others on the United States team are B.J. Futrell
(147-18) a two-time Illinois champion who is entered at
112 and Thomas Williams (179-17) a California champion
who is competing at 119.
The U.S. All-Star team will face Pennsylvania's
All-Star team at 7:30 p.m. in the feature match. A team
of WPIAL All-Stars will face a Wisconsin All-Star team
at 5:30 p.m. in the preliminary match.
For more information about the Wrestling Classic or
to order tickets visit
www.wrestlingclassic.com.
Send mail orders to: Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic,
P.O. Box 198, Glenshaw, PA, 15116-0198. Mail orders must
be received no later than Wednesday.