Chesher’s wrestling career at CV picks up steam

It took wrestler Lucas Chesher three varsity seasons, including two state tournament appearances, before winning his first invitational tournament crown.

Last weekend’s 125-pound title at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic was his second in a row.

But Chesher, a Central Valley junior, is still a work in progress, said his coach, and he competes in a tough weight class.

That weight, in Spokane alone, includes his nemesis, two-time state placer Nate Powell from Lewis and Clark, whom he has never beaten.

“We’ve been wrestling three years in a row now,” said Chesher. “They’ve been close matches, but he always comes out on top.”

The weight could include a number of previous state placers.

Chesher is also a good soccer player, but wrestling has taken precedence since seventh grade, when he finished second in a middle-school league tournament.

“I do soccer just for fun and to stay in shape,” he said. “I started wrestling in third grade, and when I finished second in (the league tournament), I felt I’d be better off doing that.”

Chesher qualified for state as a high school freshman 112-pounder and finished eighth last year at 119.

“He had some success, but at the same time his state performance was not as strong as it could have been,” said CV coach John Owen. “He’s kind of emerged this year.”

Part of it is increasing maturity. Part is the fact he wrestled freestyle and Greco-Roman all summer, earning All-American status with his seventh-place finish in Greco-Roman age group nationals.

“He committed himself to do what not many wrestlers are willing to do,” said Owen.

He and fellow state veteran Camren Ebat have become the constants on this year’s CV team, which has, in Owen’s eyes, overachieved. The Bears’ fifth place in the Rocky Mountain tourney is an example.

But Owen knows there is more to be gleaned from Chesher.

“Lucas is a winner, no question about that,” Owen said. “But I have a pretty tough grading curve. The big thing I’m looking for is consistency, and I don’t think he has that yet.”

“I’m more confident out there,” said Chesher.