Jeydon Boyd beats a Star Valley opponent to take third in the 195 weight class at the Carbon County Wrestling Invite. (COURTESY PHOTO / Dave Julian)

It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to meet someone with a level of drive and determination that shines so bright you can see it in their eyes. That’s what they call the eye of the tiger — better yet, let’s call it the eye of the Ranger.

We’re not talking about Rocky Balboa; nope, we’re talking about 16-year-old Kemmerer high school student Jeydon Boyd.

Boyd is currently a junior at Kemmerer,  and he said he’s not letting anything get in his way of his goals to play college football.

To help him improve his skills on the football field, Boyd signed on as a first time wrestler this year. It may have come as a surprise to many, because it’s tough competing on a roster of skilled Ranger wrestlers who have been wrestling since they were five years old.

But that didn’t stop Boyd. He took that challenge head on, and he’s killing it.

Boyd is currently ranked 3rd in Wyoming’s 2A 195-pound weight class.

This accomplishment is no surprise, according to Boyd’s coaches. Boyd helped the Ranger football team secure their first victory in five seasons back in September against Saratoga.

Boyd was also named to the 2A All-State football team.

“Jeydon is a great athlete with stellar drive,” said Rangers head football coach Bart Jernigan. “His commitment to wrestling and being good this early is extraordinary. He has developed confidence and a toughness along with all the athletic attributes needed to succeed.”

Boyd has employed the same attitude and work ethic in wrestling that he did for the Rangers football team.

Jeydon Boyd tackles a Lovell player during football season for the Rangers. Boyd was named All-State this season. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Michelle Tibbetts)

He said wrestling training was tough in the beginning, especially learning the techniques.

Boyd had to make some major changes in his eating habits by paying attention to what he is eating and how much.

“I cut out most of the junk,” Boyd said. “I ate a lot of peanut butter. My coaches helped me to understand what to eat, like more protein and veggies.”

The conditioning of sports is what really makes a difference, according to Boyd.

“I did lots of running,” Boyd said.

And not just ordinary running, either, but running while another teammate rode on his back to add extra weight. Now that is tough.

“Wrestling has helped me improve my agility and speed,” Boyd said. “Plus, I lost almost 30 pounds. I feel great. I want to be a better football player and wrestling is helping me do that.”

Boyd said his coaches don’t really worry too much about the weight loss, becuase  it’s typical for a wrestler.

But in football, usually the extra weight can have its advantages as the Rangers face off against linemen of much bigger size.

However, speed and quickness come in handy too, so there’s a tradeoff there, particularly for linemen, according to coach Jernigan.

The leverage aspect that is learned on the mat will give Boyd an advantage that is hard to gain anywhere else.

Wrestling is very much an individual sport, but Boyd sees it a little differently.

“It’s not all about you,” Boyd said. “What I do affects the whole team.”

This is junior Jeydon Boyd’s first season with the Kemmerer wrestling team. Boyd joins a talented roster of Ranger wrestlers. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Michelle Tibbetts)

Boyd said he doesn’t want to disappoint his teammates or Ranger fans.

“I feel like it’s not just me out there,” Boyd said. “I know it’s just me on the mat, but when I am wrestling it’s for the whole town.”

When Boyd was asked where he gets his motivation, he was quick to say his family.

“They give me strength. They make me feel awesome,” Boyd said.

Boyd said his family isn’t always able to travel the long distances to his wrestling tournaments, so he keeps in touch by texting his mom what bracket he’s in and how’s he’s feeling about his performance.

“She’s always there with me, whether she’s right there or in my heart. She is always there,” Boyd said. “When I feel tired on the mat, all I do is think of my mom’s face and I’m back at it, ready to go.”

Wrestling seems to have given Boyd an edge that may just be the catalyst to get him where he wants to go.

Boyd isn’t going to lose his grip on his dreams.

He’s going to fight to keep them alive, because he has the eye of a Ranger.