Prep Wrestling: Broncos’ Blair wins national title

Sophomore Chasen Blair earned All-American status on Sunday by becoming the first wrestler in Rancho Bernardo High history to capture a national championship.

Blair, who placed fifth at the CIF State Wrestling Championships, won the 182-pound title in the sophomore division at the National High School Coaches Association High School National Wrestling Championships at Virginia Beach in Virginia.

“It is a great feeling to know that all of the hard work I am putting in is starting to pay off,” Blair said. “Things like this motivate me to work harder.”

Blair defeated Casey Cornett of Kentucky 3-2 in the 182-pound final, capping off a perfect 5-0 finish in the national championship tournament. He is quickly becoming a rising star in the Broncos’ wrestling program.

“This is a big stepping stone for him,” Rancho Bernardo wrestling coach Joe Eddie Terribilini said. “Between the Masters Championships, state and this tournament he has really gelled into one of the top wrestlers in the nation. He has always had the ability. We were just waiting for him to get there. It is great to see.”

Blair, whose fifth-place finish at state last season was the best Rancho Bernardo has had since Nathaniel Skaggs took fourth in 2004, still has two more high school seasons to become the first Bronco to win a CIF state championship.

“Being a state champion is definitely one of my goals,” Blair said. “It would mean a lot to me because it would give me the opportunity to portray RB and all my coaches and supporters in a positive way.”