Third time still the charm: Sprague’s Brayden Boyd beats same foe in third consecutive state wrestling final

By René Ferrán | Photos by Taylor Balkom  

Fate seemingly wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Sprague senior Brayden Boyd hoped to become just the fourth wrestler to win three state titles wearing an Olympians singlet.

Standing in his way for the third time at the state championships: Newberg senior Ethan Ritchie, who lost to Boyd by decision in the 106-pound final when he was a Sherwood sophomore, then fell 9-3 to Boyd in June’s state final after transferring to Newberg as a junior. They met again in Sunday's 120-pound 6A final at Sandy High School. 

To guard against complacency, Boyd’s coaches told him before the match to consider how every year, it’s something different in their matchups. 

“Sophomore year, it was my first time meeting Ethan,” Boyd said. “Last year, it was a different weight. This time, it was the same weight, so he said, now, you’ll do it with a hurt leg.”

Boyd developed bursitis in his knee just before the district tournament that required antibiotics to treat an infection. He won the district title with four first-round pins, then spent all week resting up for his big moment. 

“I knew the work was already put in,” Boyd said. “So, I just had to stay healthy to be able to compete this weekend.” 

After a taut first period ended with Ritchie up 3-2, Boyd scored an early escape, then took Ritchie down and executed a move he’d tried in that first match two years ago. 

“When I had him in the same position, his arm slipped out, and they called it potentially dangerous,” Boyd recalled. “So, this time, I thought, ‘Keep the elbow, keep the elbow,’ so I could keep wrestling and pin him.” 

Sure enough, he locked in the hold and recorded the fall in 3:05, the final match of a 136-16 career before he heads to Corban University.  

Oregon 6A wrestling state tournament: Meet the champions, placewinners, top teams