Emma Baeth and Jaden Martin, who graduated from Baker High School last month, have been awarded rings commemorating their individual sports state championships during the past school year.

Martin, who won the Class 4A state wrestling title in the heavyweight division in February, received his ring on Wednesday, July 6 at Lew Brothers Les Schwab Tires.

The other ring is for Emma Baeth, who set a BHS record in winning the 1,500-meter race at the Class 4A state track meet in May. Baeth, who is a wildland firefighter and was called away to work on a blaze, wasn’t able to attend the ceremony with Martin.

Rocky and Jim Brown, co-owners of the tire shop, have been awarding rings to individual and team state champions for more than a decade.

“Sometimes it’s a whole team, sometimes it’s an individual,” Rocky Brown said of the ring awards. “In 2010 we won a state championship in football, we were involved in the football program so we spearheaded the fundraising (rings) for that team. So we kinda became championship ring central.”

Since then, whenever a BHS team or individual wins a state title, Lew Brothers hosts a ring event for the public.

The rings are designed and sold by Josten’s.

“These rings typically run from two hundred to four hundred dollars,” Brown said. “They’re real trophy rings, just like the Super Bowl players receive, by the same company.”

BHS wrestling coach Brandon Young, and Buell Gonzales Jr., athletic director for the Baker School District, attended Wednesday’s ceremony along with Martin.

“The big guys can’t move around like he can,” said Young about Martin’s heavyweight wrestling victories. “He’s flexible, fast.”

“I just wanted to thank my coach,” Martin said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”

Both Martin and Baeth plan to attend Southern Oregon University in Ashland this fall, and both former Bulldogs intend to continue their athletic careers in college.

Martin said he’s signed up for the SOU wrestling squad, and Baeth will compete in track and cross-country.