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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Mead loses wrestler Chandler Rogers to move

Chandler Rogers is moving to Oklahoma.

Three-time Mead state wrestling champion Chandler Rogers, a senior-to-be who is arguably one of the best wrestlers in state history, is moving to Stillwater, Okla.

He’s already enrolled at Stillwater High School and he will be the fifth junior All-American on the school’s team.

Rogers committed to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater early last month. He’ll join his older brother, Jordan, who will be a redshirt freshman this winter.

“I have mixed emotions,” Chandler said. “I love the Spokane area and I’m going to miss the Northwest. But it’s going to pay off in the long run. I’ll sacrifice a little bit to get a little bit better.”

What Rogers will chiefly miss is the opportunity of trying to become the first 4A wrestler to win four state titles. He’s won 89 straight matches since losing in the regional final his freshman year. He was 42-0 as a sophomore and 43-0 last year.

Mead coach Phil McLean heard talk about a possible move a few months ago.

“It’s been evolving a little bit,” McLean said. “His dad (Bill) was looking for a job. They were going to eventually make the move. I was just hoping it would be after his senior season. I was close with both boys and the family. That’s a kid you can’t replace and a family you can’t replace.”

The Rogers family is packing a moving truck this week and begin the trek to Stillwater early Friday morning, Chandler said. His father begins a new job on Monday.

“I’m going to miss coach McLean,” Rogers said. “He’s been a very positive coach.”

Chandler won a junior Greco-Roman national championship last month in Fargo, N.D.

He had to injury default out of the freestyle tourney with a sprained ankle.

“We’ve been fortunate to have him as long as we had him,” McLean said.

Said Rogers: “It’s definitely a jump start to my college career. I’ll be able to see what the college level is like … be able to watch my brother. I’m going to miss having a chance to be a four-time state champ here. That was one of the things that was holding me back. But doing this move will shoot me toward bigger goals that are bigger than winning four state titles in Washington.”