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Westlake wrestler Brayden Robison celebrates winning the 157-pound finals at the 2024 6A boys wrestling finals at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Westlake wrestler Brayden Robison (left) competes against Pleasant Grove wrestler Hixon Canto in the 157-pound finals at the 2024 6A boys wrestling finals at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Westlake wrestler Brayden Robison (left) competes against Pleasant Grove wrestler Hixon Canto in the 157-pound finals at the 2024 6A boys wrestling finals at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Westlake wrestler Brayden Robison celebrates winning his match during the 2024 Ross Brunson All-Star Dual at the UCCU Center in Orem on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Pleasant Grove junior Christian Carter (right) battles Westlake junior Brayden Robison in the quarterfinals of the 150-pound division on the first day of the 6A state wrestling tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Going undefeated in a wrestling season is something that is very difficult to do. And for today’s wrestlers, it’s maybe even more challenging as often these athletes will travel out of state to prestigious tournaments against top-flight competition.

But Westlake senior Brayden Robison was able to win 44 matches without a single defeat in his 2023-2024 campaign winning his third state title.

He also nailed down his third divisional title and won the Christmas Clash, Rockwell Rumble, Mid-American Nationals in Oklahoma and the Tiger-Grizz Invitational in Idaho. He helped Westlake capture second place in the 6A state meet, the best-ever finish in school history.

For these reasons, Robison was named the 2024 Utah Valley Boys Wrestler of the Year by the Daily Herald.

“That’s a pretty cool accomplishment and a good honor,” Brayden Robison said of being recognized as the top prep wrestler for Utah Valley.

As for his head coach Jeff Newby, he succinctly described Robison’s key attributes as a competitor and person.

“Brayden has been an excellent leader and example for our team, especially our younger wrestlers,” Newby said. “He is such a good wrestler, and even more importantly, he is such a good kid.”

Robison was definitely a key cog in the rise of Westlake wrestling into a powerhouse program in the state. While the Thunder may have finished second in 6A state to Layton, Westlake was right there as one of the top three programs in the state regardless of classification.

“We’ve got some amazing coaches,” Robison said of the Thunder coaching staff. “Coach Newby is like family to me. He has always wanted to know what I wanted to do with my wrestling goals and that’s pretty cool.”

Robison also credited his teammates for helping him along the way.

“We have a brotherhood,” Robison said. “We’re all pretty good buds and we got each other’s backs.”

And the Robison clan isn’t quite finished competing at Westlake. His younger brother Corbyn, a sophomore, won the 6A title at 113 pounds and was one of four Thunder state champions.

Brayden Robison came into high school ready to perform and won the 106-pound state title as a freshman. Then as a sophomore, he beat American Fork returning state champion Dallan Hunsaker in one of the wildest matches in recent memory to claim his second title.

The match went into sudden victory overtime where Robison actually earned a defensive pin to beat the Caveman grappler.

Robison didn’t shy away from the competition. At the Ross Brunson All-Star Dual, when one of the contestants dropped out of the event, he actually wrestled two matches.

In his first match against the returning 3A champion, Preston Aagaard of Juab, Robison earned a first period fall. Then he decisioned the eventual 5A state champion Brandon Ploehn from Stansbury, 6-0.

At the 6A state tournament, Robison ran roughshod over the competition with four pins in four matches, the last coming against Pleasant Grove’s Hixon Canto.

The only reason Robison isn’t a 4-time state champion was that he was derailed from the title last season by Pleasant Grove’s Bradlee Farrer. But with that loss in mind, Robison came into his senior season with a determination to get back on top of the podium.

“I got better and advanced my technique,” Robison said. “I think having God in my life and getting through trials really helped my mindset.”

Going undefeated was definitely one of the Thunder wrestler’s goals but he knew it wouldn’t be easy, particularly winning the Tiger-Grizz tourney. Despite going into this event with a 28-0 record, Robison was seeded third.

Robison easily won his first four matches, but in the championship finals he had to wrestle nationally ranked Jason Mara of Meridian, Idaho. Still, the Thunder grappler got the job done, winning 7-4.

“I thought about going undefeated (this season),” Robison said. “At the Tiger-Grizz I was a little nervous, but I decided I have nothing to lose.”

After winning the Tiger-Grizz in late January, Robison basically cruised the rest of the way winning his last 11 matches, nine by pin.

“He is such a dangerous wrestler who is never out of any match,” said Newby. “He is going to be a lot of fun to watch at the next level.”

College wrestling will be put on hold, however, as Robison said he plans on first serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

But the 2023-24 season isn’t quite over for Thunder wrestling star as he will test his wares this weekend at the National High School Coaches Association Senior Nationals in Virginia Beach, the toughest of the post high school season competitions for folkstyle wrestling. Robison has high aspirations in this event as well.

“I can’t wait to see how I do,” Robison said. “My goal is to win it all.”

Brayden Robison profile

School: Westlake

Grade: Senior

Weight Class: 157 pounds

2023-24 Record: 44-0

High School Career Record: 150-10

3-time 6A State Champion

4-time 6A State finalist

3-time Divisional Champion

2023 Mid-American Nationals Champion

2024 Tiger-Grizz Invitational Champion

4-time Ross Brunson All-Star Dual Participant

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