Wrestling preview: Ranking the top 22 wrestlers in Southwest Idaho this season
Treasure Valley wrestlers took care of business last season, winning 28 individual state championships and three team titles.
There’s no reason to expect anything different this winter as District Three teams return a bevy of talent.
We surveyed the District Three coaches to see who has them the most excited about the upcoming season. These were the names that continually came up.
TOP BOYS WRESTLERS TO WATCH
Ryan Hirchert, Nampa (98 pounds)
He made his varsity debut last season, going 26-1 on the way to a 4A state championship at 98 pounds while representing Caldwell. But Hirchert will wrestle for Nampa his sophomore season, which means he’ll test his mettle in the 5A ranks. “Ryan loves to score points and pin people,” Nampa coach Roy Perales said. “He is exciting to watch in all three phases of a match.”
Draven Johns, Caldwell (126)
The junior has twice made the state tournament medal stand, finishing second last season and third as a freshman in arguably the state’s toughest weight class. His intelligence and work ethic make him a favorite for another podium finish. He moved up a weight class, where perhaps he can avoid Blackfoot’s Mack Mauger, a two-time Greco junior national champ.
Cole Currin, Kuna (132)
Heartbreak has remained the senior’s story so far. He has finished second at state each of the previous three seasons. He enters his final season looking for that breakthrough victory. “Cole has a motor that does not stop,” Timberline coach Andrew DeLoney said. “His attack rate on his feet is very impressive.”
Treygen Morin, Ridgevue (132)
The West Liberty (NCAA Division II) commit has twice earned All-America honors at Fargo. But the senior will try to notch his first state championship this winter after a high school career limited by injuries. He pushes the pace and is always a threat to rack up big point totals.
Carson Exferd, Nampa (138)
The Wisconsin commit has never lost to an Idaho wrestler, winning state titles at 106 (2021), 120 (2022) and 132 (2023). He’ll try to become Nampa’s first four-time state champion as a senior. “Carson is one of the most technically sound wrestlers to come through Idaho in many years,” Vallivue coach Nash Johnson said. “He rarely gives up any points and can dominate even low-scoring matches.”
Jace Waggoner, Tri-Valley (138)
He finished his freshman campaign with a record of 48-6, losing in the 2A state title match at 132 pounds in a 7-4 decision. He’ll move up a weight class this season. “Jace is extremely athletic and strong,” New Plymouth coach Dakota Stallions said. “He is coming off a state runner-up finish as a freshman, and he has lots of potential.”
Manuel Valdez, Bishop Kelly (145)
One of five returning state champions for a loaded Bishop Kelly squad, Valdez went 43-4 last season, highlighted by a 4A state title at 138 pounds. He moves up a weight class this season. “He thrives in competition and is a competitor,” Bishop Kelly coach Manny Ybarra said. “Manuel grinds matches and keeps on the attack. He wears on his opponents and finds ways to win.”
Kaden MacKenzie, Fruitland (152)
Despite wrestling with a torn labrum in his shoulder last season, MacKenzie won a 3A state championship at 145 pounds, going 26-0. He was a runner-up at 126 pounds in 2022. “Kaden is a very technical wrestler,” Johnson said. “He overcame injury last year to win his first state title as a sophomore. I think he will dominate his entire schedule this year.”
Jason Mara, Meridian (152)
With a scholarship offer from Stanford in hand, Mara is a combined 130-6 in three seasons. That includes 5A state titles at 126 (2021), 138 (2022) and 152 (2023). “Jason is a very good, high-level wrestler and competes well on the national stage,” Centennial coach Jason Blue said.
Matthew Martino, Bishop Kelly (152)
The Princeton commit enters his junior year with individual 4A state championships at 113 pounds (2022) and 126 (2023). He owns a combined record of 80-6. “Matthew has put in a lot of effort and time into the sport,” Meridian coach Brad Muri said. “He’s a true student of the sport.”
Jadon Skellenger, Bishop Kelly (160)
The 2023 undefeated 4A state champion at 152 pounds had a strong offseason as a Fargo National Greco finalist and a 2023 Pan-Am champion. He has signed with Lehigh University. “Incredible athlete and wrestler,” Muri said. “(He) has a great feel for the sport and has an intelligent approach to wrestling.”
Jacob Blandford, Middleton (160/170)
The senior has a future on the mat, entering the season with offers from Western Colorado and Embry-Riddle. But first comes one last shot at an elusive state championship. Blandford finished second each of the past two seasons, but his preparation and nose for pins make him a contender for a title this year.
Hudson Rogers, Meridian (182)
The Oregon State commit won a 3A 132-pound state title at Gooding as a freshman, missed his sophomore season with an injury, and battled to a runner-up finish in 2023 at 170 pounds as part of Meridian’s 5A state championship squad. In April, Rogers won a 2023 USA Wrestling Folkstyle National title at 170. “He’s as tough as they come and loves wrestling,” Rocky Mountain coach Guy Bullock said.
Carson Gooley, Meridian (195)
Also a standout on the football field, Gooley broke through for his first individual state championship last season at 195 pounds to help the Warriors win a third straight team title. He was a state runner-up at the same weight in 2022. Muri describes Gooley as a great competitor with a great work ethic.
Shilo Jones, Mountain View (285)
The senior has scholarship offers from North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Lehigh and Utah Valley. Although he’s a three-time Fargo All-American, he’s never won an individual state championship, taking sixth at 220 as a freshman, fifth at 220 as a sophomore and second last season at 285. “His work ethic over the last 10 years has been phenomenal to watch,” Nampa coach Roy Perales said. “His pace in matches at heavyweight is fun to watch.”
Nathan Willoughby, New Plymouth (285)
The senior racked up points to help New Plymouth win a team championship at the 2A state tournament last season by pinning his way to the heavyweight crown. “He put in a lot of offseason work with Team Idaho and is looking fantastic,” Stallions said.
TOP GIRLS WRESTLERS TO WATCH
Nia Avelino, Caldwell (106)
She’ll wrestle in college for Eastern Oregon, but first she has her eye on a state championship in her senior season. Last season, Avelino won a district title at 100 pounds and then took second at state. She’s ranked No. 28 nationally in her weight class according to USA Wrestling, Flowrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “She’s motivated to finish off her high school career with a state title,” Caldwell coach Adam Freeman said. “She’s very good from her feet and extremely tough on top.”
Talea Nichols, Rocky Mountain (114)
Luck has not been on the two-time folkstyle national champ’s side. She missed the 2022 season because of an injury and couldn’t compete at the 2023 district meet after getting into a car accident and missing weigh-ins. She hopes to take her junior season by storm.
Elise Twait, Meridian (138)
The reigning district and 5A state champion at 138 pounds compiled an overall record of 36-2 last season. Muri said Twait is a great competitor with a great work ethic. “Fun to watch, especially as girls wrestling continues to grow,” Marsing coach Juan Garcia said.
Clare Waite, Boise (145)
She won a state championship at 145 pounds in 2022 and took second at state at 138 last season to Twait. Rankings compiled by USA Wrestling, Flowrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame place Waite at No. 13 nationally at 145 this season.
Jordynn LeBeau, Eagle (185)
She’s coming off a sophomore campaign in which she went 27-2 on her way to a 5A state championship at 165 pounds. LeBeau also has a runner-up finish at 182 in 2022. “She comes into this season stronger and more technical,” Eagle coach Michael Stone said. “She will be a force and in the hunt for a title at every tournament she enters.”
Kyra Richards, Nampa (185)
Richards has proven she can win against top competition, claiming a Rollie Lane title two of the past three seasons. Wrestling for Columbia last season, Richards placed second at state at 165 pounds to LeBeau and has opted to move up a weight class after transferring to Nampa for her senior season.
KEY DATES
Jan. 5-6: Rollie Lane Invitational, Ford Idaho Center, Nampa
Feb. 13-14: 5A/4A/Girls district tournament, Expo Idaho Center, Garden City
Feb. 23-24: State tournaments, Holt Arena, Pocatello
TEAM CAPSULES
Teams are listed in alphabetical order. Schools omitted did not respond to the Idaho Statesman’s preseason survey.
BISHOP KELLY
Class: 4A
Coach: Manny Ybarra, sixth season
Boys last year: 3rd at state, 1st at district
Girls last year: 26th at district
Boys to watch: Jadon Skellenger, sr., 160; Matthew Martino, jr., 152; Jake Casagneto, sr., 132; Seiya Thompson, sr., 170; Manuel Valdez, sr., 145
BORAH
Class: 5A
Coach: Matt Hopkins, first season
Boys last year: 15th at state, 11th at district
Girls last year: t-39th at state, 9th at district
Boys to watch: Jackie Webb, sr., 145; Shane Bayley, fr., 98
CALDWELL
Class: 4A
Coach: Adam Freeman, first season
Boys last year: 2nd at state, 2nd at district
Girls last year: 17th at state, 8th at district
Boys to watch: Draven Johns, jr., 126; Jaxson Freeman, so., 120; Gracin Go, sr., 145; Dominic Alcantara, sr., 138
Girls to watch: Nia Avelino, sr., 106
CENTENNIAL
Class: 5A
Coach: Jason Blue, sixth season
Boys last year: 18th at state, 10th at district
Girls last year: t-70th at state, t-20th at district
Boys to watch: Patrick Lakey, sr., 152/160
Girls to watch: Ava Bui, fr., 100
EAGLE
Class: 5A
Coach: Michael Stone, 16th season
Boys last year: 9th at state, 4th at district
Girls last year: 1st at state, 1st at district
Boys to watch: Wylie Stone, sr., 138; Dylan Frothinger, so., 106
Girls to watch: Jordynn LeBeau, sr., 185; Holland Wieber, sr., 145/152; Emry Woods, jr., 235
FRUITLAND
Class: 3A
Coach: Isaac MacKenzie, 21st season
Boys last year: 2nd at state, 1st at district
Girls last year: t-49th at state, t-9th at district
Boys to watch: Kaden MacKenzie, jr., 152; Tygren Lopez, sr., 126; Max Wescott, sr., 132; Quinn Hood, jr., 182
Girl to watch: Kiana Dullanty, sr., 132
KUNA
Class: 5A
Coach: Pat Owens, 17th season
Boys last year: 10th at state, 6th at district
Girls last year: t-20th at state, 17th at district
Boys to watch: Cole Currin, sr., 132; Kody Biggs, sr., 195
Girls to watch: Zoe Fries, jr., 145
MARSING
Class: 2A
Coach: Juan Garcia, fourth season
Boys last year: 31st at state, 5th at district
Girls last year: 27th at district
Girls to watch: Erika Frazier, jr., 114
MELBA
Class: 2A
Coach: Ryan Rhoades, first season
Boys last year: 7th at state, 2nd at district
Girls last year: t-29th at district
Boys to watch: Trevor Rhoades, sr., 195; Evan Michaelson, sr., 220
MERIDIAN
Class: 5A
Coach: Brad Muri, 12th season
Boys last year: 1st at state, 1st at district
Girls last year: 6th at state, 5th at district
Boys to watch: Jason Mara, sr., 152; Hudson Rogers, sr., 182; Carson Gooley, sr., 195; Jerimiah Gonzalez, jr., 113
Girls to watch: Elise Twait, jr., 138
MIDDLETON
Class: 5A
Coach: Casey Eager, fourth season
Boys last year: 8th at state, 5th at district
Girls last year: t-42nd at state, 13th at district
Boys to watch: Jacob Blandford, sr., 160/170; Treven Hokland, sr., 170/182; Cash Weeks, sr., 220; Jabyn Kemble, jr., 126
Girls to watch: Jady Cook, so., 165
MOUNTAIN VIEW
Class: 5A
Coach: Jacob McGinnis, second season
Boys last year: 4th at state, 3rd at district
Girls last year: t-29th at state, 19th at district
Boys to watch: Shilo Jones, sr., 285; Troy Grizzle, sr., 220; Jen Luc Guerra, jr., 160; Ian Avalos, fr., 126; Aiden McGinnis, sr., 285
NAMPA
Class: 5A
Coach: Roy Perales, fifth season
Boys last year: 3rd at state, 2nd at district
Girls last year: t-49th at state, 23rd at district
Boys to watch: Ryan Hirchert, so., 98; Ilan Shank, so., 106; Vincent Contreras, so., 113; Aulani Macias, sr., 120; Carson Exferd, sr., 138; Alijah Macias, jr., 113; Jonathan Seamons, sr., 170
Girls to watch: Kyra Richards, sr., 185
NAMPA CHRISTIAN
Class: 2A
Coach: Mark Boothby, fifth season
Boys last year: 28th at state, 4th at district
Girls last year: t-29th at district
Boys to watch: Riley Workman, jr., 126; Finnley Olson, jr., 120; Tanner Cagle, jr., 145/152
NEW PLYMOUTH
Class: 2A
Coach: Dakota Stallions, second season
Boys last year: 1st at state, 1st at district
Girls last year: 45th at state, 15th at district
Boys to watch: Nathan Willoughby, sr., 285; Jacob Shaw, jr., 145/152; Skyler Rodriguez, sr., 138; Gabe Cox, jr., 182; Zack Vian, sr., 132/138
OWYHEE
Class: 5A
Coach: Derek Mestrovich, third season
Boys last year: 17th at state, 13th at district
Girls last year: t-35th at state, 12th at district
Boys to watch: Max Osmond, sr., 195
Girls to watch: Elena Guerena, sr., 138
RIDGEVUE
Class: 4A
Coach: Rick Folwell, second season
Boys last year: 16th at state, 4th at district
Girls last year: t-29th at district
Boys to watch: Treygen Morin, sr., 132; Roberto Corona, sr., 160; Peyton Gurney, jr., 138; Alex Larson, jr., 152; Jake Farar, jr., 220
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Class: 5A
Coach: Guy Bullock, 15th season
Boys last year: 16th at state, 7th at district
Girls last year: 7th at state, 7th at district
Boys to watch: Chase Jensen, sr., 113; Cael Bullock, sr., 126; Nathan Galloway, jr., 132
Girls to watch: Reece Moody, jr., 235; Talea Nichols, jr., 114
TIMBERLINE
Class: 5A
Coach: Andrew DeLoney, 13th season
Boys last year: 20th at state, 8th at district
Girls last year: t-56th at state, 16th at district
Boys to watch: Josh Pierce, sr., 220; Noah Morehouse, jr., 182; Cole Clint, jr., 126; Wyatt Pearson, so., 113
Girls to watch: Kyra Cobb, so., 120
VALLIVUE
Class: 4A
Coach: Nash Johnson, second season
Boys last year: 20th at state, 3rd at district
Girls last year: t-59th at state, 18th at district
Boys to watch: Jacob Andrae, sr., 195; Jonathan Burrell, sr., 170; James Capser, sr., 120; Tristan Sears, so., 120
Girls to watch: Rihanna Mora, jr., 114
