ORDER GAME PHOTOS

There is no doubt, the 4A division will be a barnburner of an event this year between returning state team champions Minico and up and coming Bishop Kelly of Boise. On top of that, the 4A fields a strong nucleus of wrestlers with exceptional state and national level accolades, as well as several up-and-coming wrestlers that are closing the gap with the top tier in their respective weight groups.

It is very clear and well-defined, the road to a state team title is driven by the total number of wrestlers each team qualifies to the state championships. To come to the point, it’s more or less a quantity game and qualifying as many seconds is paramount to earn the top prize. With that being said, there are no guarantees. So, brace for shock this season!

Entering the 2023-’24 season, Minico returns a very large contingent, which includes two returning state champions, twelve placers, and fourteen state qualifiers overall. They include 2x state champion Garrett Vail (Sr.) and Preston Sonner-Cranney, a 2x state placer with one title to his credit. Additionally, Andre Valero (Sr.) and Spencer Pease (Sr.) each have three state medals and are vying for number four. What’s more, Minico returns two-time placers Greyson Molina (Jr.), Paxton Twiss (Sr), as well as placers Mikael Teague (Soph.), Tucker Arthur (Jr.), Cole Barendregt (Sr.), Kyson Anderson (Sr.), Cooper Stimpson (Sr.), and Brody Ottley (Sr.). Keep an eye on incoming freshman Jarratt Robinson, Dallas Moreno, Roman Valero, and Kobe Juarez. All are expected to make an immediate impact!

Eyeing the top prize, Bishop Kelly returns the most individual state champions of all divisions in Idaho with five. They include Princeton commit Matthew Martino, a junior with two titles and multiple All-American honors to his credit, along with two-timer and All-American Jake Castagneto (Sr.), All-American Manuel Valdez (Sr.), Seiya Thompson (Sr.), and Lehigh commit Jadon Skellenger, a 2x Fargo finalist, Pan American and World Gold medalist. Other returning placers include Phil Janquart (Sr.) and Carlos Valdez, a Fargo All-American this past summer. The Knights also return six state qualifiers and expect freshman Holten Crane and Jake Mescher to make an immediate impact.  

Finishing runner-up at state in 2023, Caldwell is expected to battle for a top three position this season with seven returning placers and two additional qualifiers. Leading the Cougars is 3x placer Dominic Alcantara (Sr.), finalists Jaxson Freeman (Soph.), Gracin Go (Sr.), and placers Drew Johns (Jr.), as well as Camus Book (Soph.), Draven Johns (Jr.), Christian Avila (Sr.), and Jayce Wolf (Jr.). Other teams to watch this season include Blackfoot, Bonneville, and Century.

Individually, the 4A returns a number of talented wrestlers with multiple state titles, medals, and All-American honors to their credit. Two wrestlers that have made their mark in Idaho wrestling history include Blackfoot’s Mack Mauger (Sr.) and Kolter Burton of Century. Committed to compete for the University of Missouri next fall, Mack Mauger made state history this past summer when he won a record five individual Fargo titles. He enters this season the favorite to win a rare fourth state title. Compiling an equally impressive wrestling resume is Century’s Kolter Burton (Sr.), an Oklahoma State commit that has also earned a Fargo title, multiple All-American honors, and is position to possibly win a fourth title. The early speculation of a Mauger/Burton battle this season is highly unlikely as they are each competing in separate weight groups this season.

A total of eight wrestlers return this season in pursuit of either a third or fourth state medal. They include 3x placers Carter Balmforth (Shelly, Sr.) and Gavin Williams (Jerome, Sr.), along with two timers Kylan Guerra (Blackfoot, Sr.), Clark Peterson (Shelley, Jr.), Tavin Rigby (Preston, Sr.), Caleb Somers (Canyon Ridge, Sr.), Fargo Champ/OW Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, Jr.), and 2x Fargo All-American and West Liberty University commit Treygen Morin of Ridgevue.

Below is listed top returning teams, state champions, multi-placers, and All-Americans. Once again, the 2023-’24 season is expected to be exciting this year, especially in the 4A team race.

NOTE: All wrestlers in this preview are listed at previous weight groups and is subject to change in 2023-’24. Additionally, all my data is driven from past state championship results and input from coaches throughout the state, which I was able to obtain.

FINAL STATE TEAM RESULTS – 2023

1. Minico – 262.5
2. Caldwell – 207.5
3. Bishop Kelly – 176.0
4. Blackfoot – 139.5
5. Mountain Home – 118.0

TEAMS TO WATCH IN THE 4A

MINICO

RETURNING STATE PLACERS

98 – Mikael Teague (10), 2^nd Place

106 – Greyson Molina (11), 4^th Place (5, 4)

113 – Andre Valero (12), 3^rd Place (4, 4, 3)

132 – Tucker Arthur (11), 6^th Place

138 – Cole Barendregt (12), 4^th Place

160 – Paxton Twiss (12), 2^nd Place (3, 2)

170 – Kyson Anderson (12), 4^th Place

182 – Spencer Pease (12), 3^rd Place (5, 3, 3)

195 – Preston Sonner-Cranney (11), State Champion (4, 1)

220 – Garrett Vail (12), State Champion (1, 1)

106 – Cooper Stimpson (12), 5^th Place ‘22

132 – Brody Ottley (12), 4^th Place ‘22

RETURNING STATE QUALIFIERS

106 – Eli Stimpson (10)

113 – Kayb Studer (10)

120 – Landyn Schmidt (10)

120 – Niamiah Naranjo (10)

132 – Zane Serr (12)

145 – Izzaak Armendarez (11)

152 – Andrew Ball (12), 3x

152 – Boady Bakers (10)

160 – Jaydin Chacon (11)

285 – Daniel Larios (11)

98 – Luke Johnson (11), SQ ‘22

106 – Brayland Hall (12), SQ ‘21

113 – Jonathan Romero (11), SQ ‘22

120 – Alize Gonzalez (11), SQ ‘22

FRESHMAN TO WATCH: Jarratt Robinson, Dallas Moreno, Roman Valero, and Kobe Juarez.

BISHOP KELLY

RETURNING STATE PLACERS

126 – Matthew Martino (11), 2x State Champion (AA)

132 – Jake Castagneto (12), 2x State Champion, 2^nd Place (AA)

138 – Manuel Valdez (12), 3^rd/State Champion (AA)

145 – Carlos Valdez (11), 4^th/3^rd Place (AA)

152 – Jadon Skellenger (12), State Champion (AA)

160 – Seiya Thompson (12), State Champion

220 – Phil Janquart (12), 6^th Place

RETURNING STATE QUALIFIERS

98 – Darren Hays (10)

106 – Michael Bess (10)

106 – Dylan Dottaviano (10)

138 – Tensei Thompson (10)

182 – Crew Nelson (12), 2x

182 – Dreyan Luna (12)

FRESHMAN TO WATCH: Holten Crane, Jake Mescher.

CALDWELL

RETURNING STATE PLACERS

98 – Camus Book (10), 3^rd Place

113 – Jaxson Freeman (10), 2^nd Place

120 – Drew Johns (11), 2^nd Place

132 – Dominic Alcantara (12), 5^th Place (6, 5, 5)

152 – Gracin Go (12), 2^nd Place

106 – Draven Johns (11), 3^rd Place ‘22

113 – Christian Avila (12), 3^rd Place ‘21

126 – Jayce Wolf (11), 5^th Place

RETURNING STATE QUALIFIERS

126 – Kevin Martin Gomez (11)

138 – Marquez Arredondo (12), 2x

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Blackfoot, Bonneville, and Century.

TOP RETURNING INDIVIDUALS

3x STATE CHAMPIONS

Mack Mauger (Blackfoot, 12)

Kolter Burton (Century, 12)

2x STATE CHAMPIONS

Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 11)

Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly, 12)

Garrett Vail (Minico, 12)

1x STATE CHAMPIONS

Manuel Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 12)

Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly, 12)

Seiya Thompson (Bishop Kelly, 12)

Preston Sonner-Cranney (Minico, 11)

3x STATE PLACERS

Mack Mauger (Blackfoot, 12), 1^st, 1^st, 1^st

Kolter Burton (Century, 12), 1^st, 1^st, 1^st

Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly, 12), 1^st, 2^nd, 1^st

Carter Balmforth (Shelley, 12), 2^nd, 6^th, 3^rd

Spencer Pease (Minico, 12), 5^th, 3^rd, 3^rd

Gavin Williamson (Jerome, 12), 4^th, 4^th, 2^nd

Andre Valero (Minico, 12), 4^th, 4^th, 3^rd

Dominic Alcantara (Caldwell, 12), 6^th, 5^th, 5^th

2x STATE PLACERS

Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 11), 1^st, 1^st

Garrett Vail (Minico, 12), 1^st, 1^st

Manuel Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 12), 3^rd, 1^st

Preston Sonner-Cranney (Minico, 11), 4^th, 1^st

Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 11), 3^rd, 2^nd

Paxton Twiss (Minico, 12), 3^rd, 2^nd

Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 11), 4^th, 3^rd

Kylan Guerra (Blackfoot, 12), 4^th, 3^rd

Clark Petersen (Shelley, 11), 3^rd, 4^th

Treygen Morin (Ridgevue, 12), 4^th, 4^th

Greyson Molina (Minico, 11), 5^th, 4^th

Tavin Rigby (Preston, 12), 6^th, 6^th

Caleb Somers (Canyon Ridge, 12), 6^th, 6^th

WORLD MEDALIST

Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly, 12) *U15 Gold

PAN AMERICAN GAMES MEDALISTS

Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly, 12) *1xGold/2x Silver

Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 11) *2x Gold/OW (15U)

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 11)

Mack Mauger (Blackfoot, 12)

Kolter Burton (Century, 12)

Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly, 12)

ALL-AMERICANS

Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 11)

Mack Mauger (Blackfoot, 12)

Kolter Burton (Century, 12)

Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge, 10)

Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly, 12)

Treygen Morin (Ridgevue, 12)

Manuel Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 12)

Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 11)

Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly, 12)

RETURNING STATE PLACERS (Previous State Tournament Weights)

98

Mikael Teague (Minico, 10), 2^nd Place

Camus Book (Caldwell, 10), 3^rd Place

Mason Hiller (Bonneville, 10), 4^th Place

Bodee Green (Hilcrest, 10), 5^th Place

Juan Guevara (Canyon Ridge, 11), 6^th Place

Cyrek Harrell (Burley, 11), 6^th Place ‘22

106

Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 11), 2^nd Place (3, 2)

Gabe Pyne (Century, 11), 3^rd Place

Greyson Molina (Minico, 11), 4^th Place (5, 4)

Johnny Behm (Shelley, 10), 5^th Place

Jaren Knopp (Lakeland, 11), 6^th Place

Cooper Stimpson (Minico, 12), 5^th Place ‘22

Draven Johns (Caldwell, 11), 3^rd Place ‘22

Xavier Brown (Moscow, 12), 3^rd Place ‘21

113

Jaxson Freeman (Caldwell, 10), 2^nd Place

Andre Valero (Minico, 12), 3^rd Place (4, 3, 3)

Tristan Vega (Burley, 10), 4^th Place

Hazen Thompson (Century, 11), 5^th Place

Christian Avila (Caldwell, 12), 3^rd Place ‘21

120

Mack Mauger (Blackfoot, 12), STATE CHAMPION (1, 1, 1)

Kolter Burton (Century, 12), 3A STATE CHAMPION (1, 1, 1)

Drew Johns (Caldwell, 11), 2^nd Place

Carter Balmforth (Shelley, 12), 3^rd Place (2, 6, 3)

Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge, 10), 4^th Place

Sam Smith (Blackfoot, 12), 5^th Place

Wyat Blanchard (Bonneville, 11), 4^th Place ‘22

Ryker Vail (Bonneville, 11), 4^th Place ‘22

126

Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 11), STATE CHAMPION (1, 1)

Clark Petersen (Shelley, 11), 4^th Place (3, 4)

Brayden Cosens (Blackfoot, 10), 5^th Place

Ashlei Hawkins (Sandpoint, 11), 6^th Place

Jayce Wolf (Caldwell, 11), 5^th Place ‘22

132

Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly, 12), STATE CHAMPION (1, 2, 1)

Treygen Morin (Ridgeview, 12), 4^th Place (4, 4)

Dominic Alcantara (Caldwell, 12), 5^th Place (6, 5, 5)

Tucker Arthur (Minico, 11), 6^th Place

Brody Ottley (Minico, 12), 4^th Place ‘22

138

Manuel Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 12), STATE CHAMPION (3, 1)

Tavin Vail (Bonneville, 11), 3^rd Place

Cole Barendregt (Minico, 12), 4^th Place

Shane Sherrill (Sandpoint, 12), 5^th Place

Tavin Rigby (Preston, 12), 6^th Place (6, 6)

145

DJ Neider (Idaho Falls, 11), 2^nd Place

Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 11), 3^rd Place (4, 3)

152

Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly, 12), STATE CHAMPION

Gracin Go (Caldwell, 12), 2^nd Place

160

Seiya Thompson (Bishop Kelly, 12), STATE CHAMPION

Paxton Twiss (Minico, 12), 2^nd Place (3, 2)

Kylan Guerra (Blackfoot, 12), 3^rd Place (4, 3)

Caleb Somers (Canyon Ridge, 12), 6^th Place (6, 6)

170

Xander Zollinger (Skyline, 12), 2^nd Place

Kyson Anderson (Minico, 12), 4^th Place

Britton Sorenson (Bonneville, 12), 5^th Place

Connor Claborn (Canyon Ridge, 12), 6^th Place

182

Micah Serr (Preston, 12), 2^nd Place

Spencer Pease (Minico, 12), 3^rd Place (5, 3, 3)

195

Preston Sonner-Cranney (Minico, 11), STATE CHAMPION (4, 1)

Gavin Williamson (Jerome, 12), 2^nd Place (4, 4, 2)

Jorden Tyler (Sandpoint, 11), 3^rd Place

Wesley Hodges (Mountain Home, 12), 4^th Place

George Valenzuela (Skyline, 11), 6^th Place

220

Garrett Vail (Minico, 12), STATE CHAMPION (1, 1)

Phil Janquart (Bishop Kelly, 12), 6^th Place

285

Jaxton Humphries (Century, 10), 6^th Place