Riley Rayome combines love for photography, wrestling at Texas (UIL) state championships

One of nation's top 115-pound wrestlers repeated as a state champion Saturday while taking photos in between matches: 'I like to express myself through my pictures'

Riley Rayome, a junior at The Woodlands High School (Texas), has found a way to combine two of her passions: photography and wrestling.

Rayome is ranked No. 3 by USA Wrestling at 115 pounds in its latest update, and she finished the season with an individual title and 54-0 record on Saturday night at the Texas (UIL) state wrestling championships.

Rayome, who defended her state title at 114 pounds in Class 6A, took time in between her matches to pick up a camera and take photos of the other matches during the two-day event in Cypress.

"I love it," Rayome said. "I really like the artistic side. I like to express myself through my pictures and what I see."

Rayome said photography also helps her relax in between matches.

"I get to sit on the mat," Rayome said. "I watch other people wrestle and I encourage them. I take photos of not only the wrestling matches but what goes on in between and that is something I really like about photography is the in between."

Her mother, Amanda, is a professional photographer, and was taking photos during the state wrestling championships as well. Her father, Jeff, is the head wrestling coach for The Woodlands.

Riley Rayome (left) takes photos during a tournament earlier this season as her father and The Woodlands wrestling coach Jeff Rayome and her mother Amanda sit on the mats. Photo by Carissa Mooney of Phlox Photography 

"She one of our rising star photographers with a natural eye and knack for creative angles and perspectives," Tom Dendy of Phlox Photography said. "Riley is a little bit shy and can be reserved at times. She uses photography as a way to connect with the other wrestlers — it's a great icebreaker."

Dendy said Rayome started showing an interest in photography during the football season last fall and that he has been mentoring her for the last several months.

View photos Rayome captured during matches on Friday at the Berry Center:

Photo by Riley Raymore, SBLive Sports

-- Todd Shurtleff | shurtleff@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx