Talented wrestlers pack the Treasure Valley. Here are the Top 9 to watch this season.
One of the most talented groups of local high school wrestlers in recent memory graduated. But with the state tournament returning to the Ford Idaho Center in February, the Treasure Valley remains loaded with title contenders.
Kuna alone remains a hotbed of talent as it defends its 4A team title. And eight reigning state champions return with a shot to defend their crown.
The Idaho Statesman surveyed area coaches and compiled a list of the region’s top wrestlers, regardless of classification, below.
Abe Turpen, Capital
The 195-pound senior has made a pair of underdog runs to state championships. The explosive wrestler returns for a shot at his third title, and you can bet everyone around the state has learned his name by now.
Josiah Lara, Skyview
The senior never had reached the podium at any state tournament until making a run to the 5A heavyweight championship last year. He returns as the favorite for another title.
Cade Hernandez, Meridian
After back-to-back losses in the state finals at 113 and 120 pounds, Hernandez moves up to 126 pounds searching for that elusive first championship. One of the Treasure Valley’s most relentless and talented wrestlers, he’s due for a big senior season.
Angel Rios, Columbia
A three-time state finalist, Rios enters his senior year with his college future secured after committing to NCAA Division II Minnesota State-Moorhead. He’ll jump two weight classes to 152 as he guns for his second title after back-to-back second-place finishes at 132 and 138.
Christopher Martino, Bishop Kelly
The son of a Naval Academy wrestler, Martino took the state by storm as a freshman, winning a 4A title at 98 pounds. His only loss came at Rollie Lane, where he finished second. Then he earned Cadet All-American status at Fargo in freestyle (eighth) and Greco (sixth).
He still has a long way to go. But the two-time former youth national champion has the talent to become the first four-time state champ in Bishop Kelly history.
Preston Owens, Kuna
The 145-pound junior made a name for himself nationally last summer, finishing as a Cadet All-American in freestyle (seventh) and Greco (eighth) at the Fargo nationals. After finishing third in 4A’s loaded 138 bracket, he’s itching for his first state title.
Hunter Mitchell, Kuna
For all the dominating wrestlers to come through Kuna, only one Kaveman has won four state titles. The 120-pound junior could be the next one. He enters the year with 80 career victories after winning a 5A, 106-pound title as a freshman and a 4A, 113-pound title as a sophomore.
Dante Roggio, Kuna
A championship has eluded the two-time state runner-up, including a one-point loss in last year’s 132-pound final. But the junior moves up to 138 pounds and still has plenty of time to chase down that first title.
Kyle Rice, New Plymouth
The Rice family continues to dominate Idaho wrestling. A year after his brother, Joe, won his fourth state title, Kyle ended his freshman year by winning the 2A 106-pound division. Don’t be fooled by his competition in the 2A classification. He followed his state title with a runner-up finish in Greco at Cadet Nationals.
