High school wrestling preview: The top 24 wrestlers to watch in Southwest Idaho
Treasure Valley wrestlers cleaned up at the state tournament last season, capturing 27 individual titles and team championships in the top three classifications.
Graduation saw the region lose a pair of four-time state champs and a host of college-level talent. But the Boise area remains loaded with talent this winter.
We broke down the top returners and newcomers to keep an eye on this season. They are listed in alphabetical order below.
TOP WRESTLERS TO WATCH
Ian Avalos, Mountain View (138)
The reigning district champ and state runner-up made a splash as a freshman last season. He posted a 41-16 record thanks to his nonstop work ethic, Mountain View coach Jacob McGinnis said. “Ian is super athletic and has a great drive for the sport,” Meridian coach Brad Muri said. “He is an all-around great kid and will go far in the sport because of his love for the sport.”
Sam Buck, Emmett (285)
His junior season saw the heavyweight capture a state title with a 40-6 record and earn first-team all-state honors as an offensive lineman. The senior remained one of the state’s best offensive linemen this fall, setting him up for another dominant season on the mat.
Ava Bui, Centennial (100 girls)
The sophomore won’t wow anyone stepping off the bus. But the small package showed a surprising punch to capture a district title and finish fourth at state as a freshman. The sky remains the limit for her, Centennial coach Jason Blue said.
Kash Cobb, Weiser (175)
The Wolverines’ star running back (1,336 yards, 20 TDs) is also a force on the wrestling mat. He racked up a 52-5 record last season with 40 pins, including three first-round pins for his first state title.
Holten Crane, Bishop Kelly (106)
He wasted no time as a freshman last season, posting a 29-5 record and capturing a 98-pound state championship. Bishop Kelly coach Manny Ybarra said those kinds of finishes are nothing new for the decorated athlete. Expect him to contend for titles all season long.
Vincent Contreras, Nampa (126)
His first two seasons saw the junior finish second at state twice and take second at Rollie Lane last year. Look for him to score several major victories this season. “Vince is just tough and has a winner’s mentality,” Nampa coach Roy Perales said.
Gabe Cox, New Plymouth (190)
The Western Colorado commit broke through for his first state title at 170 pounds last winter, racking up four straight first-round pins to finish the year 42-3. The student body president and three-time district champ wears out opponents with his never-ending motor, an extra weapon as he moves up to 190 pounds.
Jaxson Freeman, Caldwell (120)
The junior already has one Rollie Lane title under his belt from the state’s toughest tournament. But he’s yet to capture a state crown, finishing second twice, including an overtime loss last year. Look for him to check that box this season. “He’s explosive, technical and tough to score on,” McGinnis said.
Zoe Fries, Kuna (152 girls)
The senior made a late-season run last winter for a district title and second-place finish at state. She carried that momentum into the offseason, where she won a club freestyle state championship. She’s yet to slow down with a first-place finish at the season-opening Ardis Nash Memorial last weekend.
Jeremiah Gonzalez, Meridian (120)
The two-time defending state champ and three-time state finalist serves as a key weapon for the Warriors in the lower weight classes. His athleticism, toughness and nonstop motor make him one of the state’s top pound-for-pound wrestlers, as evidenced by his 139-17 career record. “Jeremiah is strong as an ox and one of the nicest kids you will meet,” Rocky Mountain coach Guy Bullock said.
Braden Griffith, Fruitland (106)
A three-time state placer, Griffith put it all together last season to capture the old 3A classification’s 98-pound state title. He’ll look to carry over that momentum into a new season after bumping up a weight class.
Ryan Hirchert, Nampa (106)
The junior has lost just one match to an Idaho opponent through his first two seasons, going 75-4 to capture back-to-back district and state titles at 98 pounds. The defending Rollie Lane champ remains a threat to rack up points, pins and hardware as he moves up a weight class this season.
Quinn Hood, Fruitland (215)
The senior proved he could compete with the state’s best when he won a Rollie Lane title last season, pinning his championship opponent in 31 seconds. He added a state title to finish 49-7 and prove he’s one of the state’s top upper-weight athletes regardless of classification.
Ivan Ivanov, Eagle (165)
Greco Roman remains the sophomore’s natural style. He captured a Fargo national title and was named the tournament’s most outstanding wrestler after racking up a 57-2 scoring margin. But he’s quickly learning the ropes in folkstyle, going 32-12 and placing sixth at state last season. “I think he will be a force this season,” Blue said.
Draven Johns, Caldwell (126)
The former Missouri commit recently reopened his recruitment. The senior and folkstyle All-American went 62-3 with 44 pins last season. He has made the state semifinals every year so far, taking second in 2023 and third the other two years. “He is explosive, intelligent and forces his opponents to make mistakes,” Owyhee assistant coach Derek Andreason said. “He scores in bunches and really puts his opponents on their heels.”
Aljah Macias, Nampa (120)
The senior saw his older brother end his district and state title dreams the past two seasons. Now the amateur boxer and defending third-place state finisher returns to the same weight class looking to step into his own spotlight.
Kaden MacKenzie, Fruitland (157)
The coach’s son grew up in the wrestling room. It paid off with two state titles, a third trip to the finals and a 117-16 record entering his senior season. The Providence (Montana) commit is one of three returning state champs for the Grizzlies. “He has overcome lots of obstacles to achieve what he has,” Perales said.
Matthew Martino, Bishop Kelly (150)
The Princeton commit enters his senior season ranked 14th in the nation by FloWrestling with a mile-long list of accomplishments. He’s a three-time Rollie Lane, state and district champ, and holds a career record of 128-7. “Matthew is great in all areas on the mat,” Vallivue coach Nash Johnson said. “I think he will dominate everyone in the state this year.”
Talea Nichols, Rocky Mountain (114 girls)
Injuries limited the start of her high school career. But the two-time folkstyle national champ made up for lost time last season, capturing district and state championships. She returns to the same weight class after going 33-4. “Talea is an incredibly technically sound wrestler,” Johnson said. “She wrestles very smart and doesn’t take her foot off the gas.”
Trevor Paynter, Homedale (113)
He took the state by storm as a freshman last season, posting a 40-3 record for the 106-pound state championship. He won 25 matches with a pin, including three of the four matches at state.
Logan Shaver, Meridian (165)
The junior already made a name for himself on a loaded Meridian squad the past two years, finishing fourth and second at state. Muri said his wrestling IQ and strong offseason have earned him a key role this season. “Logan has gotten better each year,” Johnson said. “He should be a force at whatever weight he ends up at this season.”
Jacob Shaw, New Plymouth (165)
The 2023 state champ lost his crown last season, finishing second at 152 pounds. The senior enters the season looking to prove that loss was an outlier during a 31-3 season. His competitive fire, raw strength and 26 pins last winter make him a threat for a fall at any moment.
Elise Twait, Meridian (145 girls)
The senior won every tournament she entered last season, repeating as the state’s 152-pound champ and capturing back-to-back district titles. “Elise is a hammer in the girl division,” Blue said. “Not many girls can hang with her. She is a multiple-time state champion, and I expect she will do it again this year.”
Carlos Valdez, Bishop Kelly (157)
The Eastern Oregon commit captured his first state title last winter, going 25-2 for the 145-pound crown. Ybarra said he’s not resting on his laurels though and is still hungry to improve. “Carlos keeps great position and puts pressure on his opponents constantly,” Middleton coach Casey Eager said.
KEY DATES
- Dec. 20-21: Reno Tournament of Champions, Reno, Nevada
- Jan. 3-4: Rollie Lane Invite, Ford Idaho Center, Nampa
- Jan. 10-11: Jaybird Memorial Tournament, Columbia High
- Jan. 17-18: Tiger-Grizz Invite, Skyline High, Idaho Falls
- Jan. 24-25: Red Halverson Invite, Minico High
- Feb. 6: Grapple for the Granite, Timberline High
- Feb 18-19: 6A/5A/girls district tournament, ICCU Arena, Downtown Boise
- Feb 28-March 1: State tournaments, ICCU Dome, Pocatello
TEAM CAPSULES
Team-by-team previews for schools in District Three. Schools not listed did not respond to the Idaho Statesman’s preseason survey.
BISHOP KELLY
Class: 5A
Coach: Manny Ybarra, seventh season
Boys last year: tied 1st at state; 1st at district
Girls last year: 23rd at district
Boys to watch: Matthew Martino, sr., 150; Carlos Valdez, sr., 157; Jake Mescher, so., 144; Holten Crane, so., 106
CALDWELL
Class: 6A
Coach: Adam Freeman, second season
Boys last year: 6th at state; 2nd at district
Girls last year: 11th at state; 3rd at district
Boys to watch: Draven Johns, sr., 126; Jayce Wolf, sr., 150; Jaxson Freeman, jr., 120; Trevor Solis, sr., 157; Jesus Alvarez, so., 165
CENTENNIAL
Class: 6A
Coach: Jason Blue, seventh season
Boys last year: 16th at state; 7th at district
Girls last year: 20th at state; 15th at district
Boys to watch: Dezmond Burch, sr., 113; Graden Blue, sr., 157
Girls to watch: Ava Bui, so., 100
COLUMBIA
Class: 5A
Coach: Payton Lanningham, first season (girls)
Boys last year: 26th at state; 7th at district
Girls last year: 10th at state; 5th at district
Girls to watch: Izzabella Davis, sr., 144
EAGLE
Class: 6A
Coach: Michael Stone, 17th season
Boys last year: 8th at state; 4th at district
Girls last year: 4th at state; 1st at district
Boys to watch: Dylan Frothinger, jr., 120; Anthony Toomey, sr., 285; Ivan Ivanov, so., 165
GARDEN VALLEY
Class: 3A
Coach: Donavun Davis, first season
Boys last year: 29th at state; 6th at district
Girls last year: 50th at state; 17th at district
Boys to watch: Cheveyo Tucker, fr., 285
Girls to watch: Caddy Tverdy, jr., 126
MARSING
Class: 3A
Coach: Jake Ryska, first season
Boys last year: 20th at state; 5th at district
Girls last year: 22nd at district
Boys to watch: Taylor Izzard, fr., 98
MCCALL-DONNELLY
Class: 4A
Coach: Rob Pair, first season
Boys last year: 12th at state; 3rd at district
Girls last year: 25th at district
Boys to watch: Avery Riggs, sr., 190; Finnigan Moon, sr., 285; Gavon Keegan, jr., 120
Girls to watch: Zion Rushton, jr., 126
MELBA
Class: 3A
Coach: Ryan Rhoades, second season
Boys last year: 14th at state; 3rd at district
Boys to watch: Brendan Svetich, sr., 175
MERIDIAN
Class: 6A
Coach: Brad Muri, 13th season
Boys last year: 1st at state; 1st at district
Girls last year: 24th at state; 11th at district
Boys to watch: Jeremiah Gonzalez, sr., 120; Logan Shaver, jr., 165; Andrae Ramirez, sr., 150; Bradley Bones, jr., 190
Girls to watch: Elise Twait, sr., 145
MIDDLETON
Class: 5A
Coach: Casey Eager, fifth season
Boys last year: 5th at state; 2nd at district
Girls last year: 26th at state; 4th at district
Boys to watch: Jabyn Kemble, sr., 132; Christian Segali, sr., 120; Ryan Lewis, jr., 175
MOUNTAIN VIEW
Class: 6A
Coach: Jacob McGinnis, third season
Boys last year: 6th at state; 5th at district
Girls last year: 27th at district
Boys to watch: Ian Avalos, so., 138; Chaz Ponton, sr., 165; Ethan Schmidt, sr., 144
NAMPA
Class: 6A
Coach: Roy Perales, sixth season
Boys last year: 3rd at state; 3rd at district
Girls last year: 62nd at state; 12th at district
Boys to watch: Ryan Hirchert, jr., 106; Aljah Macias, sr., 120; Vincent Contreras, jr., 126; Ilan Shank, jr., 113
Girls to watch: Leah San, jr., 107
NAMPA CHRISTIAN
Class: 3A
Coach: Mark Boothby, sixth season
Boys last year: 27th at state; 4th at district
Boys to watch: Riley Workman, sr., 132; Malakai Narte, sr., 138/144; Kaiser Henne, jr., 150/157; Tanner Cagle, sr., 165
NEW PLYMOUTH
Class: 3A
Coach: Dakota Stallions, fourth season
Boys last year: 2nd at state; 1st at district
Girls last year: 56th at state; 19th at district
Boys to watch: Gabe Cox, sr., 190; Jacob Shaw, sr., 165; WahNay Say, so., 132; Ty Sutton, so., 126
Girls to watch: Maliyah Garcia, so., 120
OWYHEE
Class: 6A
Coach: Derek Mestrovich, fourth season
Boys last year: 18th at state; 12th at district
Girls last year: 35th at state; 13th at district
Boys to watch: Ronan Brown, sr., 165; Ryker Andreason, so., 113; Gunner Sanchez, fr., 126
Girls to watch: Marlie Skidmore, sr., 100
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Class: 6A
Coach: Guy Bullock, 17th season
Boys last year: 13th at state; 8th at district
Girls last year: 7th at state; 2nd at district
Boys to watch: Nathan Galloway, sr., 132; Tyler Irish, so., 144
Girls to watch: Talea Nichols, jr., 114; Kiera Hersel, sr., 107; Elyse Asaro, jr., 126
TIMBERLINE
Class: 6A
Coach: Andrew DeLoney, 14th season
Boys last year: 19th at state; 10th at district
Girls last year: 54th at state; 21st at district
Boys to watch: Noah Morehouse, sr., 190/215; Cole Clint, sr., 126; Wyatt Pearson, jr., 120
Girls to watch: Kyra Cobb, jr., 106
VALLIVUE
Class: 5A
Coach: Nash Johnson, third season
Boys last year: 21st at state; 3rd at district
Girls last year: 35th at state; 18th at district
Boys to watch: Calvin Kimball, sr., 190; Adam Flory, sr., 132/138; Luke Wilford, jr., 285; Elakki Romero, jr., 175/190
Girls to watch: Rihanna Mora, sr., 114
This story was originally published December 10, 2024 at 2:28 PM.
