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Crescent Valley's Riley Godek 'a different style' when it comes to heavyweights: Oregon (OSAA) wrestling 285-pounds roundup

What Godek gives up in sheer bulk, he makes up for with quickness.

By René Ferrán

Being the final wrestler in Crescent Valley’s gauntlet of champions presents a unique challenge for senior heavyweight Riley Godek. 

“I don’t know if it puts more pressure on me,” Godek said after successfully defending his 285-pound title with a 14-3 major decision over North Bend’s Neal Walter at Saturday’s Class 5A state wrestling meet at Ridgeview High School in Redmond. 

“But it definitely sets a standard. It’s a high standard to meet, but I’m so proud of my team. We really came together this year, and it was cool to see us as a team win it again.” 

Godek is not your traditional heavyweight. He weighed in at 207.2 pounds in the morning, giving up as much as 75 pounds to others in the bracket, but the Raiders already had one talented 220-pounder in Jayden Cobb (who placed fifth) and no one to wrestle at 285.

What Godek gives up in sheer bulk, he makes up for with quickness that he put on display in the final, getting five takedowns and a reversal.

“I definitely think it helps a lot,” Godek said. “It’s a different style of wrestling that a lot of heavyweights aren’t used to.” 

4A: Baker/Powder Valley senior Jaden Martin returned this winter to finish the job after placing second at 285 as a junior. He needed overtime to beat Philomath’s Joseph Choi in the semifinals, then turned Hidden Valley’s Christopher Woods midway through the third round after starting the period in the top position, getting the pin with 45 seconds left to secure his first title. Woods entered the final 23-0 and had pinned his first three opponents.

3A: Sutherlin junior Maddox Griggs became the Bulldogs’ first state champion in a decade, defeating Nyssa’s Kody Van Meter 6-2 in the final. Beau Frauf won Sutherlin’s previous title at 195 pounds in 2012.

2A/1A: Culver junior Wylie Johnson put the finishing touches on the Bulldogs’ 14th team title in 16 seasons by pinning Rylan Cox of Grant Union/Prairie City midway through the second period. Culver had six finalists and four champions to win the team title in its home gym. 

6A: Cole Steketee secures Sprague’s dominance of heavier weights with first state wrestling title