Whitewater High School produced another state champion in wrestling. Chase Penland won the 160-pound weight class in this year’s Class AAAA state wrestling meet. The school got back-to-back state titles from Jordan Strain in 2006 and 2007, while Jacob Williamson won a state title last year.

Penland defeated Shawn Walker from Marist 17-2 in the first round, beat Kevin Kent from Loganville 12-4 in the second round, got a 5-3 win over Jeraime Hester from Northwest Whitfield in the third round, beat Timothy Collins from SW DeKalb in the fourth round with a fall and then beat Alcovy’s Malachi Outlaw 7-4 in the final.
Penland answeered five questions about his state title run.

1. The wrestling season can be long and grueling. What goes in to winning a state championship?

I started off wrestling in the second grade for the USA club. That seemed to play a big part, also I live in the weight room. When football season is in, I lift real hard, but once wrestling comes around, I only lift to maintain my muscle mass just so I’m not sore for wrestling matches. I practice really hard during practice, and I fortunately have the good coaches to follow up on my hard work.

2. Leading up to your victory in the state tournament, which was obviously the high point, was there a moment in a match where you were not sure you were going to advance, or a low point ?

Yes, I believe it was my quarterfinal match against Hester from Northwest Whitfield. I only won that match by two, but it was much closer than that. With 30 seconds left on the clock and tied, I felt like I could escape but time was running out. Luckily, with 10 seconds left, I got a reversal and won the match 5-3.

3. Do you have a favorite or go-to move that has helped you out a lot this year?

In the neutural position I have a lot of success with the low single and once I get the takedown, I immediatly chop to cross wrist and work my wing and tilts, also I work headleavers - this is where I got most of my pins.

4. What are your strengths as a wrestler?

I am able to maintain the same amount of strength throughout the entire match and I have very good hips to hit my switches when I’m on bottom.

5. What is the best thing about winning a state title?

I earn respect in the wrestling world and it lets me know that all the hard training and hard work I did paid off. Also, it’s going to make me a better leader on the football field.