Fahey Bank Athlete of the Month: Pleasant's Daxton Chase works to achieve goals on the mat
MARION — To get to where Daxton Chase got, he didn't set the records and achieve the marks he did by simply showing up.
"We certainly have some other workers in the room, but Dax works his tail off and puts in the extra time," Pleasant wrestling coach Joe Robinson said. "He also happened to put together one of the finest careers we’ve ever had. It’s demonstrative of what it takes to get there."
More on Chase's state run: Pleasant's Daxton Chase, Highland's Cael Gilmore compete for wrestling championships
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The Pleasant standout set the tone in the wrestling room during a senior season that saw him end as the Division III state runner-up at 150 pounds.
"All the guys could see that from the middle schoolers to the freshmen and sophomores," Robinson said. "They can see what Dax does. If I want to be state relevant and aspire to climb high on that podium, here’s what I need to do."
How did Chase do it?
Of course, Chase loves being on the mat. He likes working on moves, counter moves, holds and escapes — all the techniques required to be an elite wrestler. But being a technician isn't enough.
"I love working out. I love the feeling of it and getting stronger. I don’t like running. I don’t, but I have to do it," he said.
He works out six days a week in the offseason. During the season. he doesn't like to stop.
"He does the college credit plus, so he gets out of school early," Robinson said. "He’ll text me and see if he can get into the wrestling room. Sometimes I’ll show up to practice early, and he’ll already be on the treadmill. By the time we practice, he’s already put work in or he intends to put more work in afterward.
"It takes a special person to not just embrace but enjoy the process of wrestling. You have to put yourself through it in order to get the results you need. He’s the standard."
The results from the process
The weight training and the cardio workouts coupled with the constant grind of practicing on the mat aren't all that went into what got Chase to the top level of high school wrestling. He figured out the right mentality it takes to be a high achiever.
"It’s the process and how driven he is. He’s goal-centered," Robinson said. "He’s got goals that he wanted to do. At the beginning of the season, he had it in mind to break our takedown record, a record that’s long been seen as untouchable. He smashed it. He had in mind to do several things, and he met a lot of his goals."
Pleasant only had one other four-time state placer in its long wrestling history. Chase is the second after going from eighth to sixth to fourth on the podium in his three previous seasons.
His 48 wins this year were either by pin or by eight points or more. His only two losses came in the closing seconds to defending state champion Reese Stephen of Barnesville.
He set school records for technical falls in a season with 22, takedowns with 287 and points with 779 scored. He put up 248 team points in 2023-24 and finished with a record 181 career wins. He was named Mid Ohio Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Year for all he achieved.
Because of the accolades and records, Chase was named Fahey Bank Athlete of the Month among Marion County boys for March for the second time in his career.
"It feels good. Marion has got some good competition, so it always feels good to get that award," he said.
But ending his high school career as a state runner-up was not the ultimate goal.
"I’m very proud with how I did and very proud that I worked as hard as I did," Chase said. "I didn’t accomplish what I wanted to, but it doesn’t always go that way. I’m wrestling at the next level and in the best facility in the world, so it feels awesome."
On to Ohio State
"I can’t wait," he said. "It’s really a blessing to have this opportunity that I have to go down there and wrestle. I can’t wait."
He gave himself a week following the state tournament at Ohio State's Schottenstein Center, but he's long been back at it, training, conditioning and practicing six days a week.
"Really it’s just consistency," Chase said. "It’s working with the best guys I can and always going with that top guy in the room. Just keep staying on and keep at it consistently no matter what."
Robinson has no doubt that big things are in Chase's future.
"He wanted to wear that scarlet and gray," the coach said. "It’s a shortlist of human beings to come through Pleasant that have been given the opportunity to compete at The Ohio State University. Carter is getting better and better and better. Dax is right there with the work ethic. He'll do the same."
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Fahey Bank Athlete of the Month
● March boys nominees
● Winner: Daxton Chase, senior, Pleasant wrestling.
● Marquis Long Jr., senior, Marion Harding basketball.
● Tyler Pasma, junior, Elgin wrestling.
● Porter Rick, senior, River Valley wrestling.
● Eric Gottfried, sophomore, Ridgedale basketball.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Fahey Bank Award: Daxton Chase wrestles embraces process of wrestling
