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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022
Channing Chasten returning home to play for Phoenix Rising BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor
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hen Channing Chasten was in high school, he wrote down the goals he wanted to accomplish on a piece of paper. He hung them above his bed with the caption, “my why,” so he would wake up every morning and be reminded of what he wanted to accomplish. It was at that time he set out to achieve them through hard work and dedication. Some of the goals were common for kids his age. But there were two that stood out amongst the rest: Attend Ohio State University and become a professional soccer player. Now at 21 years old, Channing crossed both of those off his list. “It’s so surreal,” Channing said. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of. To make it a reality now, it’s really exciting. Now all the hard work starts. But it’s crazy to say out loud. “I always knew I had the ability, and I knew it would take hard work to come about. But I never knew it would come this early.” Channing signed a multi-year contract with the Phoenix Rising FC on Tuesday, Jan. 11 – Arizona’s local professional team that plays in the United Soccer League. A junior at Ohio State, Channing made 40 appearances at Ohio State in his three seasons as a forward. He scored one goal for the Buckeyes but opened the eyes of Rising coaches during a training session last summer before the start of the 2021-22 school year. Channing remained in contact with the Rising and following the end of his most recent season with the Buckeyes, the Rising offered him a deal. Rising coach Rick Schantz said in a press release shortly after Channing’s signing that he believes the Hamilton product has a bright future in soccer. “He is very athletic and can play right wing or right back,” Schantz said in the release. “He gives us versatility and has a great ability to learn quickly from our
race. His goal was to beat me, and he finally did it in seventh grade and I said, ‘you finally knocked that off your list, son.’ “It was always a big deal for him and I’m just very proud he was able to accomplish what he set out to do.” Clark and Ella always enjoyed being able to watch Channing play in person when he was younger in club and at Hamilton. They made it out to Ohio for some of his games but watched most from their home Left: Channing Chasten cemented his legacy at Hamilton as he made his high school debut as a freshman on the Big Ten Network. Ella said screaming at the on the varsity team that captured the state title over Gilbert in 2016. As a senior, he was named captain and scored 17 goals for the Huskies who finished as the 6A runners up. (Arizonan File Photo) Right: Hamil- television set wasn’t the same ton alum Channing Chasten, who spent the last three season playing for Ohio State’s soccer team, signed when Channing was unable his first professional contract on Tuesday, Jan. 7 to return home and play for Arizona’s Phoenix Rising FC. to hear her. And while she (Courtesy Phoenix Rising FC) may still not be heard over the supporters’ section at the experienced players. He should push for named an Ohio State Scholar Athlete Rising’s stadium in Chandler, a starting position.” this year and to the Academic All-Big they will still be able to make the short Channing began to cement his soccer Ten the last two seasons. Overall, it was drive to watch him play in person again. legacy while playing for the Huskies. As a rewarding experience. That will make his professional debut a freshman, he made the varsity roster “Our success has been up and down on for his hometown team that much more and was a part of the team that captured the field, but it’s been good,” Channing special. Hamilton’s most recent state soccer title said. “I’ve enjoyed my time here, but I’m “We’re thrilled and excited to actually be at over Gilbert High School in 2016. excited for the future.” the games and attend,” Ella said. “We know As a senior in the 2018-19 season, he Channing said that while he has signed this is just the start of his career so, there’s finished with 17 goals on a Hamilton a professional contract, he plans to remain no telling where he will go next. We are just team that went 20-4 and fell to pow- enrolled at Ohio State online to finish his excited he gets to start here in Phoenix.” erhouse Brophy in the 6A title game. degree in strategic communications. A high Channing will officially begin his proAt the time, he was already committed GPA student at Hamilton, he had hoped to fessional career when Rising players reto attend and play soccer at Ohio State do the same while playing for the Buckeyes. port for training this month. Currently, where he received a partial athletic and His parents, Clark and Ella, had always he is still in awe of the events that have full academic scholarships. taught him the importance of obtaining a transpired that led him to signing his He admitted the adjustment to soccer at degree. Clark did it from Michigan State first-ever contract. the Division I level was difficult. He played in and Ella from Ohio State. Channing’s sisBut he thinks when he first steps on 16 games his first season and recorded one ter currently attends Michigan State, fol- the pitch – especially in front of thouassist. As a sophomore, he only appeared in lowing in the footsteps of their father. sands of Rising fans – that is when it will eight games. He considered transferring at To see him accomplish his dream of play- really hit him. one point but decided to ride out his junior ing professionally while still maintaining “Just to put on that kit, be in that environseason with the Buckeyes. the drive to finish school is welcoming for ment and call myself a part of the team, it’s That’s when he flourished. Clark and Ella. They said they couldn’t be amazing,” Channing said. “I haven’t even He started in 15 of the 16 games he prouder of the man their son has become. played yet and I’m getting (direct mesplayed and was named to the Wolstein “He’s just such a dedicated young man,” sages) from little kids who go to the games Classic All-Tournament Team. He re- Clark said. “He’s always had this drive and people who sit on the south end with corded a goal against Creighton and had even when he was 5 or 6 years old when the Bandidos. They’re already supporting three total assists. Channing was also he always thought he could beat me in a me, which is pretty amazing.”
