‘I feel a lot better about this one.’ Sprague’s Riley Davis repeats as state wrestling champion

“It took mental toughness and perseverance to push through and get what I wanted.”

By René Ferrán | Photos by Taylor Balkom  

Riley Davis had to miss last month’s Reser’s Tournament of Champions while battling a lung infection. 

The Sprague junior missed out on a chance to wrestle West Linn junior Justin Rademacher that weekend, and Rademacher even acknowledged after winning the TOC title how he’d hoped to go up against him.

“It would have been fun to wrestle him there, because he’s one of the toughest guys in Oregon,” Davis said.

Sunday evening at Sandy High School, their long-awaited third match of the season finally arrived in the 170-pound 6A final, and it was well worth the wait. The score was knotted at 2-2 after two periods before Davis scored an early escape in the third. 

Rademacher searched for the go-ahead takedown, forcing Davis into a stalling warning late in the match, but spurred by that call, Davis shot for the clinching takedown in the final seconds for a 5-2 victory and a second consecutive title.

“It was tiring, but I felt good the whole time,” said Davis, who needed overtime to defeat Rademacher in their first two meetings. “It took mental toughness and perseverance to push through and get what I wanted.” 

After winning last spring for his first title, Davis appreciated getting to wrestle a (mostly) normal season this winter for his second. 

“Last year was awkward, nothing I was used to, so it was interesting to win,” he said. “I feel a lot better about this one, especially because it’s number two and against a really good opponent.”  

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