Just like her sister, Bailey Chafin is a state champion: Oregon wrestling 138/125 small-school roundup

“After seeing my sister wrestle and get her state championship, I wanted to outcompete her.”

By René Ferrán 

A year ago in Culver’s intimate surroundings, eighth grader Bailey Chafin watched her sister Paige close her high school career at Sweet Home by winning her first state title.

With Paige now wrestling at Eastern Oregon, it was Bailey’s turn to make her mark in the Huskies mat room, and she delivered a dominant season capped by a superlative performance Friday at the inaugural OSAA 4A/3A/2A/1A girls state tournament at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. 

“After seeing my sister wrestle and get her state championship, I wanted to outcompete her,” Bailey said after pinning La Pine freshman Jade Seymour in 77 seconds in the 125-pound final to wrap up a 44-1 season. 

“I just don’t know how to feel right now.”

Bailey has wrestled since second grade, estimating that she held her own against 95% of the boys she faced at tournaments growing up. 

“I just stuck with it. I loved it so much,” she said.

Paige provides her younger sister with little tips from her college workouts that Bailey has incorporated into her routine. Watching Paige’s success in her first season at EOU (she placed fifth at the recently completed Cascade Conference championships) has inspired Bailey. 

“Seeing how she’s doing in college, I want to be that good when I get there,” she said.

3A: La Pine sophomore Devon Kerr also has drawn inspiration from watching his older siblings win state titles. He became the fifth member of his family to win a championship last year and added a second Friday with a 9-5 decision over Elmira’s William Walton.

“My father was the first state champion ever out of La Pine,” Kerr said. “My oldest brother was the first multiple state champion, and my second-oldest was the first four-time state placer. If I meet my goal, I’ll be the first four-time state champion. That’s a lot of motivation for me.”

4A: La Grande senior Joshua Collins successfully defended his 138-pound title by pinning Mazama senior Treyce Horton with two seconds left in the first round.

2A/1A: Illinois Valley senior Ryon Martinho improved from third place a year ago, dropping from 152 pounds to add to the Cougars’ first team title by pinning Toledo’s Nic Kaufman in 1:15. 

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Meet the champions: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A | Class 3A | Class 2A/1A | Class 6A/5A Girls | Class 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

Vote for best wrestler: Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A | Class 3A | Class 2A/1A | Class 6A/5A Girls | Class 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

Photos of championship matches: Class 6A, 5A | Class 6A/5A Girls | Class 4A, 3A, 2A/1A, 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

Wrestlers to watch at state: Freshmen | Sophomores | Juniors | Seniors

Previewing the state meets: 6A | 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A/1A | 6A/5A Girls | 4A/3A/2A/1A Girls

Recapping the district meets: 6A | 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A/1A | Girls

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF 2023 OSAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS