Brash Henderson of Silverton looks to make history of his own after TOC victory (Reser’s TOC 285 pounds)

“I’ve got to push myself harder every day, learn from what I did wrong, and learn it’s OK to make mistakes.”

Silverton junior Brash Henderson got to be a part of history last February at the OSAA state championships as the final opponent in Hayden Walters’ quest to become a four-time titlist. 

Henderson lasted 82 seconds in that Class 5A 215-pound final, but he took away lessons he’s applied throughout this season.

“To be on that level, I’ve got to push myself harder every day, learn from what I did wrong, and learn it’s OK to make mistakes,” Henderson said. “And then, I’ve just got to come back better than ever.” 

Henderson has not lost on a high school mat since that wintry Sunday morning, improving to 16-0 Saturday evening with a 7-2 overtime victory against La Grande’s Kenai Huff in the 285 final at the 22nd Reser’s Tournament of Champions at Liberty High School in Hillsboro.

Brash Henderson of Silverton (photo by Taylor Balkom)

Henderson won the match with a quick takedown with five seconds left in the sudden-victory overtime period, then scoring three near-fall points to become the first Silverton wrestler to win a Reser’s title in the program’s first appearance at the prestigious invitational.

“I’ve improved a lot from last year, I think, and just put in the work every day,” Henderson said. “So, I just try to be the best I can, try to push my partners, have my partners push me to hopefully come up with that state title this year.”

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