High school wrestling review: Familiar faces won titles, Workman on brink of history
While plenty of excitement occurred during the regular season, including an eighth-annual All-Star Classic that saw the state's top wrestlers honored and showcased, grapplers all measure their team and individual success at one place — the state tournament. Here were some of the highlights:
Greatest of all time?
Springville's Jason Chamberlain finished off his remarkable prep career with a 23-8 win over Pine View's Matt McDonald and his fourth state title. His list of accomplishments is long and distinguished and includes 191 career victories — the most in state history, being ranked No. 1 in the nation at the 140-pound weight class all season and only two losses to Utahns in his four-years of high school wrestling. His coach didn't hesitate to put him at the top of the list.
"To be honest with you, I think he's probably the best wrestler to ever come through the state," said Springville coach Justin Judkins. "He has the high school state record (for wins). I don't think I'm being too biased in saying that and I think a lot of other coaches would agree with me."
Joining the list
Another wrestler added his name to the distinguished list of four-time state champions. Monticello's Aaron Butler became just the 17th wrestler in state history to accomplish the feat.
"It is pretty awesome to be a four-timer, and then to be the first one from Monticello high school. It is a pretty amazing feeling. It has never been done before at this school," said Butler.
Butler capped his career with a pin in the finals. He also had a different type of four-time championship run. Although all four titles were with Monticello, his first came at the 2A ranks while the remaining three were in 1A. His school was reassigned to 1A after his freshman year after capturing a 2A title. He beat Millard's Mason Stott— who became a three-time champ at the 2008 state meet— in overtime that season to get his first title.
Not a typical wrestler
She was oh-so-close to becoming only the second female in the country to claim a state title. Still, Uintah's Candace Workman made history as she won her first three matches to advance to the 103-pound 3A final. She couldn't quite get over the hump as she lost to Delta's Chasen Tolbert in the championship match, but it was still an incredible ride to a runner-up finish.
Recent comments
Jason Chamberlain is one of the best Utah has produced, but wait...
wrestling coach/official | March 8, 2008 at 6:55 a.m.
Chamberlin is a great wrestler, but greatest wrestler in utah history...
heber city | March 7, 2008 at 3:03 p.m.
a coach , we go get ours over in Colorado --Olympic training center...
A coach is | March 7, 2008 at 1:35 p.m.
