Texas transfer for Stewarts Creek takes G.P. West wrestling title

BRENTWOOD — Jason Chambers was a Greco Roman state champion a year ago in Texas.

That experience is helping the Stewarts Creek senior on the wrestling mat in Tennessee this season.

Chambers, a transfer from Fort Worth, has transitioned well here against new competition.

Chambers beat Summit's Sean Butler 5-3 in overtime Saturday in the 145-pound championship at the G.P. West Invitational.

Chambers (28-4) was seeded second in the tournament and upset the top-seeded Butler (26-6).

"He wrestles very different than a lot of kids here," Butler said. "He goes a lot with the upper body. A lot of kids here try and be more technical. He does a lot more throws and under hooks."

That is a byproduct to his Greco Roman background. Chambers competed in that style of wrestling after the regular season ended in Texas.

Chambers won on a takedown in the first minute of overtime. The 145-pound championship was named the best match of the tournament.

Arlington won the Brentwood tournament with 214 points. Soddy-Daisy was second with 212 and Summit finished third with 203.5.

Chambers' family moved to Middle Tennessee from Texas before the high school year. Chambers said his father is opening up a Fuzzy's Taco Shop in Murfreesboro this spring.

Chambers said the transition from wrestling in Texas to Tennessee has been smooth.

"The competition is still really stiff, which is almost a surprise because Texas has so many people," he said. "In Tennessee it feels like people care a lot more."

Chambers has had an advantage at times on the mat due to his strong upper body.

"I love throws," Chambers said. "I'm confident that I can hit a throw in any position, so I always work for that."

But he is also well-rounded, Stewarts Creek coach Mark Gonyea said.

"He has a different style; a different flavor to wrestling," Gonyea said. "He pushes the tempo in the room.

"He's strong at the top, so when he starts attacking at top, people look away from leg defense and he can shoot (at the legs) just as well as anyone else."

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 and on Twitter @Kreager.

G.P. West Invitational champions

103: Alex Whitworth, McCallie

113: Michael Cannon, Arlington

120: Job Dooley, Franklin

126: Charles Wheaton, Soddy-Daisy

132: Gabe Rogers, Stewarts Creek

138: Nick Freeman, Ravenwood

145: Jason Chambers, Stewarts Creek

152: Tony Wilson, Soddy-Daisy

160: Matthew Sells, Blackman

170: Sawyer Knott, Summit

182: Judah Duhm, McCallie

195: Jacob Knight, Centennial

220: Ty Boeck, Soddy-Daisy

285: Nick Boykin, Riverdale