It's a good thing gas prices have dropped. Otherwise, Chandler Basha's Jake Smith might suck the wrestling program dry.

Instead, he is the driving force in the practice room, and his hard work paid off Saturday night with his first varsity tournament title, as he won the 189-pound championship at the McClintock Invitational.

"What a story he is," Basha coach Mike Garcia said. "He might not be the most talented wrestler, but he has the biggest gas tank. He just outhustles everyone."

Smith, a junior, defeated Phoenix Paradise Valley state runner-up Craig Lazenby 6-3 in the championship match, getting the first two takedowns to build a 4-2 lead."I didn't even place in this tournament last year," Smith said.
"There is nothing better than getting your hand raised after six minutes of working hard."

Smith was one of two Basha champions to help the team to a fifth-place finish at the 24-team event.