Sophomore wrestler dies in Licking County crash

When an elbow injury took him off the mat, Watkins Memorial High School sophomore Mason Boyd was still there to support the wrestling team, helping underclassmen with their technique and serving as the leader he was.

His wrestling coach called the 16-year-old a “great kid” who stayed out of trouble, earned good grades and was mature beyond his years.

“He was a good kid in all senses,” said Mark Kurth, who also serves as dean of students at the high school east of Etna. “He had that maturity about him, beyond his 16 years. … He was a big part of our team.”

Saturday morning, Boyd was killed in a single-car accident near the intersection of York and Morse roads, south of State Route 161 in Licking County.

Sheriff’s Capt. Darl Evans said the crash occurred just after 7 a.m., when the 2007 Toyota Avalon Boyd was driving left the roadway and hit a tree. The sheriff’s office is investigating.

Southwest Licking School District planned to have counselors on hand Tuesday to support grieving students and staff. Funeral arrangements were not yet completed Monday afternoon, though calling hours were being planned at the high school later this week.

A scholarship fund also has been established in Boyd’s name at the Pataskala Banking Co., with contributions being accepted at the bank’s locations on Main Street and Hazelton-Etna Road in Pataskala and on East Broad Street in Reynoldsburg, Kurth said.

The teen was on his way to a wrestling tournament at Dublin Scioto High School to cheer on his team Saturday when the crash occurred. Kurth received news of Boyd’s death from Boyd’s father just before the matches began.

Faculty and staff members from schools competing at Dublin Scioto on Saturday and those at other schools have all offered support; Licking Heights High School has already printed “MB” stickers to place on their wrestling head gear, Kurth said.

“I have received emails and phone calls from other schools all around,” he said. “The wrestling community, the wrestling family is so strong. ... We stick together, and we help each other out in times like this.”