ORDER GAME PHOTOS

The 2024 Idaho State Wrestling Championships in the 5A division is expected to be a highly contested event with a multitude of wrestlers maintaining exceptional state and national accolades, which includes 11 returning State Champions, 52 returning state placers, and 16 with All-American honors to their credit in addition to 6 wrestlers already committed to compete at the collegiate level. The team race is expected to be a barnburner from the start to finish and will definitely come down to overall team depth, performance, and peaking at the right time. Once again, the top contenders include perennial powers Meridian (5x Champions), Post Falls, Nampa, and several other teams vying for a top 5 spot. I expect the road to the team title to be no different than last year, which will require an “all-hands on deck” effort where bonus points and big scoring from the number two wrestlers is essential.

The leaders among the 11 returning State Champions are 3x State Champions Jason Mara of Meridian and Nampa’s Carson Exferd (138s). Earning multiple All-American at the Folkstyle Nationals and Fargo, Mara enters this year’s state tournament seeded #1 in the 152 pound weight group and is favored to win a rare fourth state title. Ranked nationally, Mara is an exceptional honor student and committed to compete for Stanford University. Also vying for title number four, Exferd is a prep level All-American committed to compete for the University of Wisconsin and to date has had an exceptional season battling top tier talent at Rollie, Reno TOC, and other tournaments, which includes his great rivalry with 4A State Champion Kolter Burton of Century. In fact, this great rivalry was the talk to the season.

Three other wrestlers are in position to earn a possible third title and will be tough to beat. They include All-Americans Rider Sequine (120 – Post Falls), Talen Eck (126 – Thunder Ridge), and North Idaho College commit Hoyt Hvass of Lewiston at 132s. The remaining six returning State Champions include Ryan Hirchert (98 – Nampa), Sawyer Anderson (106 – Highland), Tyson Barnhart (145 – Post Falls), and Meridian All-Americans Jeremiah Gonzalez (113s), Carson Gooley (195s), and Oregon State commit Hudson Rogers at 182s.

Among the 52 returning state placers are 7 wrestlers vying for a fourth state medal, 18 in position to earn a third, and 27 more in position to earn a second (see list below). The leaders among this talented group include 3x finalist Cole Currin of Kuna (132s), Western Colorado University commit Jacob Blandford of Middleton (160s), and Mountain View’s 11x All-American Shilo Jones, who is a returning finalist at 285s and will be attending North Dakota State University. Other talented wrestlers to watch with finals experience include Cash Weeks (220 – Middleton) and Nampa contingent IIan Shank (106s), Vincent Contreras (113s), Jonathan Seamons (170s), and the Macias brothers, Alijah and Aulani each at 120s.

Without a doubt, the team race is expected to be a carbon copy of what we witnessed last season with Meridian, Post Falls, and Nampa battling it out for the top spot. The favorite entering these championships is Meridian. They bring to Pocatello one of the largest contingents in the entire tournament (all divisions) with 24. This includes 3 returning State Champions, 6 returning medalists overall, 6 returning state qualifiers, and 12 more (7 freshman) battling for their first medal. Close behind is northern Idaho power Post Falls. They also bring a solid group with 7 returning state medalists and 19 qualifiers overall. Leading this talented group is 2x State Champion Rider Sequine (120s) and Tyson Barnhart (145s), a returning State Champion vying for his fourth medal overall. Other returning medalists include Logan Loaiza (113s), Tanner Piper (138s), Trey Smith (160s), Seth Martin (170s), and Kendall Sage (195s). We cannot count out Nampa, who has been battle tested all season. Although the Bulldogs only bring 14 to state, each of their 7 returning placers have state finals experience, which a majority has great potential to repeat. Among the remaining 7 qualifiers, there are four with state experience and will challenge for a spot on the medal stand. It doesn’t end here! Keep an eye on both Middleton (19 qualifiers) and Madison (21 qualifiers). Each team has solid line-ups and great potential to battle for a top 5 spot as well.

This season, there has been a solid group of freshmen that have made a name for themselves in the 5A and are ranked among the top tier in their respective weight groups. They include Madison’s Brand’n Edstrom (98s), Matthew Hamilton (106 – Post Falls), Jordan Schield (132 – Coeur d’ Alene), Ivan Ivanov (152 – Eagle), and Mountain View’s Ian Avalos, who beat returning 2x state placers Matthew Papa (Meridian) and Jabyn Kemble (Middleton) during the course of earning his first District III title.

Overall, I expect the 5A division to be a great competition featuring many of the state’s most talented wrestlers. The rubber will definitely meet the road very early in several of the weight groups. Below is a comprehensive list of top teams, returning champions, state placers, All-Americans, college commits, freshman to watch, and wrestlers rank nationally. Enjoy!!

TOP TEAMS TO WATCH

MERIDIAN (24)

Returning State Medalists (6)

113 – Jeremiah Gonzalez (Jr.), 2^nd, State Champion

126 – Matthew Papa (Sr.), 3^rd, 4^th State

145 – Logan Shaver (Soph.), 4^th State

152 – Jason Mara (Sr.), 3x State Champion

182 – Hudson Rogers (Sr.), State Champion (3A), 2^nd State

195 – Carson Gooley (Sr.), 2^nd, State Champion

Returning State Qualifiers (6)

120 – Justus Briggs (Soph.), 4^th Dist. (2x)

132 – Ryan Amoureux (Soph.), 5^th Dist. (2x)

138 – Andrae Ramirez (Jr.), 4^th Dist. (2x)

160 – Camden Crespi (Jr.), 3^rd Dist. (2x)

170 – Fabrizio Argana (Sr.), 4^th Dist. (3x)

182 – Bradley Bones (Soph.), 7^th Dist. (2x)

State Qualifiers (12)

98 – Drake Jayne (Fr.), 2^nd Dist.

98 – Brigg Morrill (Fr.), 3^rd Dist.

106 – Adam Ostoja (Fr.), 3^rd Dist.

106 – Tobias Guillen (Fr.), 4^th Dist.

113 – Jackson Beck (Fr.), 5^th Dist.

120 – Vincent Torrez (Fr.), 6^th Dist.

126 – Draken Miller (Fr.), 6^th Dist.

138 – Gabe Bourner (Soph.), 8^th Dist.,

152 – Fahad Hillesland (Sr.), 7^th Dist.

160 – Hezekiah Suter (Soph.), 8^th Dist.

195 – Tagen Lowe (Soph.), 9^th Dist.

220 – Abdullah Abdulhameed (Jr.), 5^th Dist.

POST FALLS (19)

Returning State Medalists (7)

113 – Logan Loaiza (Soph.), 4^th State

120 – Rider Sequine (Jr.) 2x State Champion

138 – Tanner Piper (Jr.), 5^th State

145 – Tyson Barnhart (Sr.), State Champion, 4^th, 2^nd State

160 – Trey Smith (Jr.), 5^th, 3^rd State

170 – Seth Martin (Jr.), 4^th, 3^rd State

195 – Kendall Sage (Jr.), 6^th State

Returning State Qualifiers (2)

152 – Damion Hamilton (Soph.), 1^st. Dist. (2x)

285 – Xander Scholes (Soph.), 2^nd. Dist. (2x)

State Qualifiers (10)

98 – Gage Loftin (Soph.), 2^nd. Dist.

98 – Saul Benzinger (Fr.), 3^rd. Dist.

106 – Jesse Villegas (Post Falls), 3^rd. Dist.

106 – Matthew Hamilton (Fr.), 1^st. Dist.

113 – Isaiah Cramer (Soph.), 4^th. Dist.

152 – Taycen Genatone (Sr.), 2^nd. Dist.

170 – Zane Smith (Soph.), 4^th Dist.

182 – Landon Moore (Soph.), 3^rd. Dist.

220 – Kyden Martin (Jr.), 3^rd. Dist.

220 – Christopher Click (Jr.), 4^th. Dist.

NAMPA (14)

Returning State Medalists (7)

98 – Ryan Hirchert (Soph.), State Champion

106 – IIan Shank (Soph.), 2^nd State

113 – Vincent Contreras (Soph.), 2^nd State

120 – Aulani Macias (Sr.), 2^nd State

120 – Alijah Macias (Jr.), 2^nd State

138 – Carson Exferd (Sr.), 3x State Champion

170 – Jonathan Seamons (Sr.), 3^rd, 2^nd State

Returning State Qualifiers (4)

98 – Teagan Navarro (Soph.), 6^TH Dist. (2x)

132 – Jayden Dodge (Soph.), 3^rd Dist. (2x)

145 – Akio Sanders (Sr.), 3^rd Dist. (3x)

285 – Joey Duke (Sr.), 7^th Dist. (2x)

State Qualifiers (3)

126 – Moses Kelley (Fr.), 4^th Dist.

126 – Korbyn Sena (Fr.), 9^th Dist.

195 – Jose Tamez (Soph.), 5^th Dist.

MIDDLETON (19)

Returning State Medalists (4)

126 – Jabyn Kemble (Jr.) 4^th, 3^rd State

160 – Jacob Blanford (Sr.), 6^th, 2^nd, 2^nd State

170 – Treven Hokland (Sr.), 4^th State

220 – Cash Weeks (Sr.), 3^rd, 2^nd State

Returning State Qualifiers (6)

113 – Christian Segali (Jr.), 3^rd Dist. (2x)

120 – Ahsten Beverlin (Sr.), 5^th Dist. (2x)

132 – Walker Gunnell (Sr.), 6^th Dist. (2x)

132 – Porter Hoopes (Jr.), 9^th Dist. (2x)

152 – Ryan Lewis (Soph.), 3^rd Dist. (2x)

285 – Dallyn Grimes (Jr.), 5^th Dist. (3x)

State Qualifiers (9)

98 – Gaige Bill (Jr.), 9^th Dist.

106 – Caleb Lombardo (Fr.), 7^th Dist.

106 – Landon Conger (Fr.), 8^th Dist.

138 – Luke Eager (Soph.), 6^th Dist.

138 – Hunter Woolsey (Sr.), 7^th Dist.

145 – Jaxson Rosti (Fr.), 8^th Dist.

145 – Evan Sumsion (Jr.), 9^th Dist.

152 – Hunter Maher (Jr.), 6^th Dist.

182 – Russell Moulton (Jr.), 8^th Dist.

MADISON (21)

Returning State Placers (4)

113 – Teague Jensen (Jr.), 5^th. State

120 – Greyson Peterson (Soph.), 6^th. State

160 – Cole Nelson (Sr.), 4^th. State

285 – Rex Salas (Jr.), 6^th. State

Returning State Qualifiers (8)

126 – Tanner Severn (Sr.), 3^rd. Dist. (3x)

138 – Ace Ingram (Soph.), 1^st. Dist. (2x)

145 – Spencer Wilcox (Sr.), 1^st. Dist. (4x)

152 – Braxton Hanna (Jr.), 1^st. Dist. (2x)

170 – Payson Abrams (Sr.), 1^st. Dist. (2x)

182 – Todd Heward (Sr.), 2^nd. Dist. (2x)

195 – Cache Summers (Soph.), 2^nd. Dist. (2x)

220 – Porter Cottle (Jr.), 1^st. Dist. (2x)

220 – Tayten Warnke (Sr.), 2^nd. Dist. (2x)

State Qualifiers (9)

98 – Brand’n Edstrom (Fr.). 1st. Dist.

98 – Rocky Jensen (Fr.), 4^th. Dist.

106 – Rigdon Green (Fr.), 4^th. Dist.

145 – Grant Gugelman (Fr.), 3^rd. Dist.

160 – Colton Munns (Soph.), 3^rd. Dist.

170 – Jacob Burke (Fr.), 2^nd. Dist.

182 – Rowdy Weekes (Jr.), 3^rd. Dist.

285 – Elijah Withers (Sr.), 3^rd. Dist.

OTHERS TEAMS TO WATCH: Eagle (13), Coeur d’ Alene (13), Highland (9), Mountain View (9), Rocky Mountain (10).

3X STATE CHAMPIONS (2)

Carson Exferd (Nampa, 12)

Jason Mara (Meridian, 12)

2X STATE CHAMPIONS (3)

Rider Sequine (Post Falls, 11)

Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge, 12)

Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston, 12)

RETURNING STATE CHAMPIONS (6)

Sawyer Anderson (Highland, 10)

Ryan Hirchert (Nampa, 10)

Jeremiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 11)

Tyson Barnhart (Post Falls, 12)

Hudson Rogers (Meridian, 12)

Carson Gooley (Meridian, 12)

3X STATE PLACERS (7)

Carson Exferd (Nampa, 12), 1^st, 1^st, 1^st

Jason Mara (Meridian, 12), 1^st, 1^st, 1^st

Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge, 12), 1^st, 1^st, 2^nd

Tyson Barnhart (Post Falls, 12), 1^st, 4^th, 2^nd

Cole Currin (Kuna, 12), 2^nd, 2^nd, 2^nd

Jacob Blandford (Middleton, 12), 6^th, 2^nd, 2^nd

Shilo Jones (Mountain View, 12), 6^th, 5^th, 2^nd

2X STATE PLACERS (18)

Rider Sequine (Post Falls, 11), 1^st, 1^st

Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston, 12), 1^st, 1^st

Jeremiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 11), 2^nd, 1^st

Carson Gooley (Meridian, 12), 2^nd, 1^st

Hudson Rogers (Meridian, 12), 1^st, 2^nd

Jonathan Seamons (Nampa, 12), 3^rd, 2^nd

Cash Weeks (Middleton, 12), 3^rd, 2^nd

Jabyn Kemble (Middleton, 11), 4^th, 3^rd

Seth Martin (Post Falls, 11), 4^th, 3^rd

Matthew Papa (Meridian, 12), 3^rd, 4^th

Seth Brock (Eagle, 12), 4^th, 4^th

Trey Smith (Post Falls, 11), 5^th, 3^rd

Aulani Macias (Nampa, 12), 6^th, 2^nd

Wylie Stone (Eagle, 12), 6^th, 4^th

Colton George (Highland, 12), 4^th, 6^th

Hunter Lowe (Kuna, 12), 5^th, 5^th

Chase Jensen (Rocky Mountain, 12), 6^th, 5^th

Parker Reeves (Thunder Ridge, 12), 5^th, 6^th

1X STATE PLACERS (27)

Sawyer Anderson (Highland, 10), State Champion

Ryan Hirchert (Nampa, 10), State Champion (4A)

IIan Shank (Nampa, 10), 2^nd Place

Dylan Frothinger (Eagle, 10), 4^th Place

Greyson Peterson (Madison, 10), 5^th Place

Rocco White (Coeur d’ Alene, 10), 6^th Place

Vincent Contreras (Nampa, 10), 2^nd Place

Logan Loaiza (Post Falls, 10), 4^th Place

Teague Jensen (Madison, 11), 6^th Place

Hunter Anderson (Rigby, 11), 5^th Place ‘22

Alijah Macias (Nampa, 11), 2^nd Place ‘22

Logan Shaver (Meridian, 10), 4^th Place

Will Rossi (Coeur d’ Alene, 12), 6^th Place ‘22

Nate Galloway (Rocky Mountain, 12), 5^th Place

Trever Clemens (Capital, 12), 5^th Place

Gabriel Brown (Capital, 12), 3^rd Place

Tanner Piper (Post Falls, 11), 5^th Place

Patrick Lakey (Centennial, 12), 5^th Place

Jean-Luc Guerra (Mountain View, 11), 4^th Place

Cole Nelson (Madison, 12), 4^th Place

Treven Hokland (Middleton, 12), 4^th Place

Garrett Leonard (Lake City, 10), 5^th Place

Kody Biggs (Kuna, 12), 3^rd Place

Maxim Osmond (Owyhee, 12), 4^th Place

Troy Grizzle (Mountain View, 12), 5^th Place

Kendell Sage (Post Falls, 11), 6^th Place

Rex Salas (Madison, 11), 6^th Place

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (FS/GR/FOLKSTYLE)

Jason Mara (Meridian, 12)

Hudson Rogers (Meridian, 12)

ALL-AMERICANS (FS/GR/FOLKSTYLE)

Rider Sequine (Post Falls, 11)

Hunter Anderson (Rigby, 11)

Jeremiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 11)

Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge, 12)

Logan Shaver (Meridian, 10)

Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston, 12)

Ivan Ivanov (Eagle, 9)

Damion Hamilton (Post Falls, 10)

Jason Mara (Meridian, 12)

Jacob Blandford (Middleton, 12)

Hudson Rogers (Meridian, 12)

Carson Gooley (Meridian, 12)

Hyrum Heindel (Kuna, 10)

Shilo Jones (Mountain view, 12)

Dallyn Grimes (Middleton, 11)

Aiden McGinnis (Mountain View, 12)

FRESHMAN TO WATCH

98 – Brand’n Edstrom (Madison), 1^st. Dist.

98 – Gage Loftin (Post Falls), 2^nd. Dist.

106 – Matthew Hamilton (Post Falls), 1^st. Dist.

106 – Jesse Villegas (Post Falls), 3^rd. Dist.

120 – Jacob Vincent (Highland), 1^st. Dist.

126 – Ian Avalos (Mountain View), 1^st. Dist.

132 – Onyx Kunsaitis (Thunder Ridge), 3^rd. Dist.

132 – Jordan Schield (Coeur d’ Alene), 2^nd. Dist.

152 – Ivan Ivanov (Eagle), 2^nd. Dist.

170 – Jacob Burke (Madison), 2^nd. Dist.

5A DIVISON WRESTLERS RECOGNIZED IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS

120 – Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge, 12), #24 (SBLive), #29 (WUSA)

138 – Carson Exferd (Nampa, 12), #23 (SBLive)

150 – Jason Mara (Meridian, 12), #12 (FLO), #16 (WUSA), #19 (SBLive)

182 – Hudson Rogers (Meridian, 12), #25 (WUSA)

195 – Carson Gooley (Meridian, 12), Special Mention (WUSA)

285 – Shilo Jones (Mountain View, 12), #17 (WUSA), #19 (FLO), HM (SBLive)

COLLEGE COMMITS

Carson Exferd (Nampa), University of Wisconsin (DI)

Hudson Rogers (Meridian), Oregon State University (DI)

Jason Mara (Meridian), Stanford University (DI)

Shilo Jones (Mountain View), North Dakota State (DI)

Jacob Blandford (Middleton), Western Colorado University (DII)

Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston), North Idaho College (NJCAA)