ORDER GAME PHOTOS

The 2024 Idaho State Championships in the 4A division was by far one of the most exciting of the entire state tournament. The team race between Bishop Kelly and Minico lived up the pre-tournament hype and much more. In fact, I doubt anyone would have predicted the final outcome. This year’s 4A division crowned two new wrestlers to the 4x State Champions Club, three into the 3x Champions Club, three 2x Champions, and seven first time titlist. Additionally, seven earned their fourth state medal, twelve with number three, and twenty-one more earning their second.

As mentioned, the 4A division produced a large contingent of wrestler with multiple state titles, placings, and All-American honors to their credit. Joining the 4x State Champions Club include two individuals that not only won the Fargo Nationals, but have multiple All-American honors and accolades that will place them among the top lightweights to have ever competed in the Gem State. They include 5x Fargo National Champion Mack Mauger of Blackfoot and Fargo Champ Kolter Burton of Century. Each ranked among the elite in the nation, Mauger is headed to the University of Missouri while Burton is going to the Midwest to compete for traditional power Oklahoma State. Joining Mauger and Burton among the state’s elite is Bishop Kelly All-Americans Matthew Martino and Jake Castagneto in addition to Minico’s Garrett Vail. All have earned their third respective state title in championship form. Committed to compete for Division 1 institutions, Jake Castagneto is headed to North Dakota State while Martino, only a junior, will be attending Princeton University with his older brother Christopher. On another note, Matthew is now in position to possibly join his brother in the rare 4x State Champions Club next season. Also from Bishop Kelly, both Jadon Skellenger and Seiya Thompson earned their second title in addition to Minico junior Preston Sonner-Cranney who is also a 3x state placer. Having earned a long list of state, regional, national, and world level accolades throughout his wrestling career, Skellenger will be taking his talents to the Division I level to compete for Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

A total of seven wrestlers earned their first state title. They include freshman standouts Holten Crane of Bishop Kelly, Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home), and Carson Leonard of Lakeland. Additionally, Fargo Greco Champion Saxton Scott earned his first title and third medal overall after winning one of the most highly contended matches of the evening. Also standing at the top step of the medal stand for the first time include All-American and 3x placer Carlos Valdez of Bishop Kelly, Sam Buck (Emmett), and Minico’s 4x medalist Spencer Pease.

A total of seven wrestlers earned their respective fourth state medal. A few joining this club included Shelly’s Carter Balmforth, Gavin Williams of Jerome, and Dominic Alcantara of Caldwell. Also earning their third state medal include Caleb Somers (Canyon Ridge), Tavin Rigby (Preston), Greyson Molina (Minico), Paxton Twiss (Minico), Kylan Guerra (Blackfoot), and All-Americans Manuel Valdez of Bishop Kelly as well as Treygen Morin (Ridgevue), who is headed to West Liberty University to compete at the next level.

The team race between 4A powers Bishop Kelly and Minico lived up to all the pre-tournament hype. In fact, the number of variables going into these championships was limitless, but to finish the tournament tied at 248.0 points was not one of them. The probability of this happening again if were to run this same tournament next week is astronomical. On top of that, Blackfoot and Lakeland tied for 3^rd Place. Incredible! According to the history books, the last time two Idaho teams tied for the team title was in the Class A division back in 1969 between Minico and Snake River. Overall, Minico produced three individual champions and thirteen placers while Bishop Kelly crowned six champions and ten placers. Without a doubt, this was one of the best state team showdowns in my lifetime. I congratulate all the coaches and wrestlers for both teams a job well done.

Taking a closer look at the 4A state results, I list all 4x Champions, 3x Champions, 2x Champions, as well as multiple placers. Additionally, I compiled a list of statistics highlighting number two wrestlers that placed, schools with the most state placers, top districts, number of placers and champions by grade, etc. For more details, see statistics below. Enjoy!

MISC. TOURNAMENT STATISTICS

State Placers – No. 2 wrestlers: 4 (4%)

Returning Placers – Did not place: 12

School w/Most State Placers – Minico (District IV): 13

District w/Most State Placers – District IV: 27

GRADE STATISTICS

Frosh. State Placers: 10 (11%)

Soph. State Placers: 20 (22%)

Junior State Placers: 21 (23%)

Senior State Placers: 39 (43%)

Frosh. State Champions: 3 (20%)

Soph. State Champions: 0 (0%)

Junior State Champions: 5 (33%)

Senior State Champions: 7 (47%)

SEEDING STATISTICS

No. 1 seeds placing 1st: 14 (93%)

No. 2 seeds placing 2^nd: 9 (60%)

No. 3 seeds placing 3^rd: 6 (40%)

No. 4 seeds placing 4^th: 6 (40%)

No. 5 seeds placing 5^th: 5 (33%)

No. 6 seeds placing 6^th: 5 (33%)

State Placers – Top 6 seeds: 72 (80%)

State Placers – 7^th/8^th seeds: 9 (30%)

State Placers – Non-seeded: 9 (10%)

TOP FIVE TEAM SCORES

1T. Bishop Kelly: 248.0 (6 Champions/10 Placers)

1T. Minico: 248.0 (3 Champions/13 Placers)

3T. Blackfoot: 125.5 (1 Champion/8 Placers)

3T. Lakeland: 125.5 (1 Champion/5 Placers)

5. Century: 124.5 (1 Champion/5 Placers)

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS

98 – Holten Crane (Bishop Kelly, 9)

106 – Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home, 9)

113 – Carson Leonard (Lakeland, 9)

120 – Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 11)

126 – Mack Mauger (Blackfoot, 12) 4x

132 – Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly, 12) 2x

138 – Kolter Burton (Century, 12) 4x

145 – Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 11)

152 – Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 11) 3x

160 – Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly, 12) 2x

170 – Seiya Thompson (Bishop Kelly, 12) 2x

182 – Spencer Pease (Minico, 12)

195 – Preston Sonner-Cranney (Minico, 12) 2x

220 – Garrett Vail (Minico, 12) 3x

285 – Sam Buck (Emmett, 11)

4X STATE CHAMPIONS (2)

Mack Mauger (Blackfoot, 12)

Kolter Burton (Century, 12)

3X STATE CHAMPIONS (3)

Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 11)

Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly, 12)

Garrett Vail (Minico, 12)

2X STATE CHAMPIONS (3)

Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly, 12)

Seiya Thompson (Bishop Kelly, 12)

Preston Sonner-Cranney (Minico, 11)

4X STATE PLACERS (7)

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

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

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

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

Spencer Pease (Minico, 12), 5^th, 3^rd, 3^rd, 1^st

Gavin Williamson (Jerome, 12), 4^th, 4^th, 2^nd, 3^rd

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

3X STATE PLACERS (12)

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

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

Manuel Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 12), 3^rd, 1^st, 2^nd

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

Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 11), 3^rd, 2^nd, 1^st

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

Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 11), 4^th, 3^rd, 1^st

Kylan Guerra (Blackfoot, 12), 4^th, 3^rd, 2^nd

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

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

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

Caleb Somers (Canyon Ridge, 12), 6^th, 6^th, 4^th

2X STATE PLACERS (21)

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

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

Johnny Behm (Shelley, 10), 5^th, 3^rd

Jaren Knopp (Lakeland, 11), 6^th, 5^th

Cooper Stimpson (Minico, 12), 5^th, 6^th

Draven Johns (Caldwell, 11), 3^rd, 3^rd

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

Tristen Vega (Burley, 10), 4^th, 3^rd

Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge, 10), 4^th, 3^rd

Sam Smith (Blackfoot, 12), 5^th, 4^th

Ryker Vail (Bonneville, 11), 4^th, 3^rd

Jayce Wolf (Caldwell, 11), 5^th, 3^rd

Brody Ottley (Minico, 12), 4^th, 2^nd

Shane Sherrill (Sandpoint, 12), 5^th, 3^rd

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

Gracin Go (Caldwell, 12), 2^nd, 4^th

Kyson Anderson-Osterhout (Minico, 12), 4^th, 5^th

Connor Claborn (Canyon Ridge, 12), 6^th, 5^th

Micah Serr (Preston, 12), 2^nd, 6^th

Jorden Tyler (Sandpoint, 11), 3^rd, 2^nd

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

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (TOP 6)

DIVISION WEIGHT

Place – Name (School, Grade) #seed

4A 98

1 - Holten Crane (Bishop Kelly, 9) #1

2 - Mikael Teague (Minico, 10) #2

3 - Porter Campbell (Preston, 10) #3

4 - Kian Kanekoa (Burley, 9) #4

5 - Zach Teal (Lakeland, 9) NS

6 - Roman Valero (Minico, 9) #6

1st Place Match

Holten Crane (Bishop Kelly) 29-5, Fr. over Mikael Teague (Minico) 39-12, So. (Dec 7-4)

3rd Place Match

Porter Campbell (Preston) 43-15, So. over Kian Kanekoa (Burley) 41-9, Fr. (Dec 8-3)

5th Place Match

Zach Teal (Lakeland) 27-19, Fr. over Roman Valero (Minico) 28-13, Fr. (Fall 2:45)

4A 106

1 - Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home, 9) #1

2 - Ayden Tokita (Skyline, 9) #2

3 - John Behm (Shelley, 10) #3

4 - Nathan Ramsdell (Twin Falls, 10) NS

5 - Rodrigo Aceves (Minico, 10) #5

6 - Krew Keller (Preston, 10) #4

1st Place Match

Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home) 45-5, Fr. over Ayden Tokita (Skyline) 41-10, Fr. (Dec 6-2)

3rd Place Match

John Behm (Shelley) 37-10, So. over Nathan Ramsdell (Twin Falls) 26-13, So. (Dec 1-0)

5th Place Match

Rodrigo Aceves (Minico) 17-6, So. over Krew Keller (Preston) 51-11, So. (Dec 7-1)

4A 113

1 - Carson Leonard (Lakeland, 9) #1

2 - Rydge Vail (Bonneville, 9) #3

3 - Gabe Pyne (Century, 11) #2

4 - Greyson Molina (Minico, 11) #4

5 - Dylan Dottaviano (Bishop Kelly, 10) NS

6 - Jett Hone (Blackfoot, 9) NS

1st Place Match

Carson Leonard (Lakeland) 46-7, Fr. over Rydge Vail (Bonneville) 45-8, Fr. (Dec 8-3)

3rd Place Match

Gabe Pyne (Century) 45-7, Jr. over Greyson Molina (Minico) 37-17, Jr. (Fall 0:25)

5th Place Match

Dylan Dottaviano (Bishop Kelly) 19-15, So. over Jett Hone (Blackfoot) 24-19, Fr. (Dec 3-2)

4A 120

1 - Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 11) #2 (All-American)

2 - Jaxson Freeman (Caldwell, 10) #1

3 - Tristan Vega (Burley, 10) #3

4 - Peyton Keller (Preston, 10) #4

5 - Jaren Knopp (Lakeland, 11) #7

6 - Cooper Stimpson (Minico, 12) NS

1st Place Match

Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls) 19-5, Jr. over Jaxson Freeman (Caldwell) 48-4, So. (TB-1 4-3)

3rd Place Match

Tristan Vega (Burley) 49-8, So. over Peyton Keller (Preston) 57-10, So. (Dec 7-3)

5th Place Match

Jaren Knopp (Lakeland) 35-14, Jr. over Cooper Stimpson (Minico) 13-9, Sr. (Fall 3:49)

4A 126

1 - Mack Mauger (Blackfoot, 12) #1 (All-American)

2 - Jake Mescher (Bishop Kelly, 9) #3

3 - Draven Johns (Caldwell, 11) #2

4 - Sam Smith (Blackfoot, 12) #6

5 - Brennin Gordon (Twin Falls, 12) #5

6 - Landyn Schmidt (Minico, 10) NS

1st Place Match

Mack Mauger (Blackfoot) 43-3, Sr. over Jake Mescher (Bishop Kelly) 41-14, Fr. (MD 11-3)

3rd Place Match

Draven Johns (Caldwell) 62-3, Jr. over Sam Smith (Blackfoot) 21-12, Sr. (MD 19-5)

5th Place Match

Brennin Gordon (Twin Falls) 31-15, Sr. over Landyn Schmidt (Minico) 18-21, So. (Dec 7-2)

4A 132

1 - Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly, 12) #1 (All-American)

2 - Carter Balmforth (Shelley, 12) #3

3 - Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge, 10) #2 (All-American)

4 - Treygen Morin (Ridgevue, 12) #6 (All-American)

5 - Kaden Bunderson (Pocatello, 10) #5

6 - Ty Adams (Blackfoot, 10) #8

1st Place Match

Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly) 44-4, Sr. over Carter Balmforth (Shelley) 46-8, Sr. (MD 8-0)

3rd Place Match

Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge) 51-4, So. over Treygen Morin (Ridgevue) 24-3, Sr. (TF-1.5 4:35, 15-0)

5th Place Match

Kaden Bunderson (Pocatello) 42-12, So. over Ty Adams (Blackfoot) 22-19, So. (Fall 2:15)

4A 138

1 - Kolter Burton (Century, 12) #1 (All-American)

2 - Manuel Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 12) #2 (All-American)

3 - Shane Sherrill (Sandpoint, 12) #3

4 - Marquez Arredondo (Caldwell, 12) #6

5 - Dominic Alcantara (Caldwell, 12) #5

6 - Peyton Gurney (Ridgevue, 11) #8

1st Place Match

Kolter Burton (Century) 62-1, Sr. over Manuel Valdez (Bishop Kelly) 24-10, Sr. (MD 21-9)

3rd Place Match

Shane Sherrill (Sandpoint) 40-8, Sr. over Marquez Arredondo (Caldwell) 46-15, Sr. (Dec 3-1)

5th Place Match

Dominic Alcantara (Caldwell) 33-10, Sr. over Peyton Gurney (Ridgevue) 28-18, Jr. (Dec 5-2)

4A 145

1 - Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 11) #1 (All-American)

2 - DJ Neider (Idaho Falls, 11) #2

3 - Ryker Vail (Bonneville, 11) #5

4 - Gracin Go (Caldwell, 12) #4

5 - Tanner Ellis (Blackfoot, 11) #7

6 - Tavin Rigby (Preston, 12) #3

1st Place Match

Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly) 25-2, Jr. over DJ Neider (Idaho Falls) 42-5, Jr. (Dec 7-2)

3rd Place Match

Ryker Vail (Bonneville) 35-6, Jr. over Gracin Go (Caldwell) 53-11, Sr. (Dec 5-2)

5th Place Match

Tanner Ellis (Blackfoot) 33-13, Jr. over Tavin Rigby (Preston) 33-10, Sr. (Dec 6-4)

4A 152

1 - Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 11) #1 (All-American)

2 - Brody Ottley (Minico, 12) #3

3 - Jayce Wolf (Caldwell, 11) #2

4 - Jairo McLean (Century, 10) #5

5 - Porter Dansie (Blackfoot, 10) NS

6 - Kodey Murphy (Shelley, 12) #8

1st Place Match

Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly) 29-1, Jr. over Brody Ottley (Minico) 36-13, Sr. (MD 13-5)

3rd Place Match

Jayce Wolf (Caldwell) 32-8, Jr. over Jairo McLean (Century) 31-13, So. (Dec 6-1)

5th Place Match

Porter Dansie (Blackfoot) 23-15, So. over Kodey Murphy (Shelley) 34-15, Sr. (M. For.)

4A 160

1 - Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly, 12) #1 (All-American)

2 - Paxton Twiss (Minico, 12) #2

3 - Madix Jones (Bonneville, 11) #3

4 - Andrew Ball (Minico, 12) #4

5 - Roberto Corona (Ridgevue, 12) #5

6 - Aydan Mathews (Shelley, 12) NS

1st Place Match

Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly) 44-2, Sr. over Paxton Twiss (Minico) 29-5, Sr. (Dec 13-7)

3rd Place Match

Madix Jones (Bonneville) 34-14, Jr. over Andrew Ball (Minico) 35-16, Sr. (Dec 10-9)

5th Place Match

Roberto Corona (Ridgevue) 34-11, Sr. over Aydan Mathews (Shelley) 27-19, Sr. (MD 10-2)

4A 170

1 - Seiya Thompson (Bishop Kelly, 12) #1

2 - Kylan Guerra (Blackfoot, 12) #2

3 - Trey Smith (Jerome, 10) #4

4 - Caleb Somers (Canyon Ridge, 12) #6

5 - Kyson Anderson-Osterhout (Minico, 12) #7

6 - James Laudenklos (Century, 12) NS

1st Place Match

Seiya Thompson (Bishop Kelly) 35-8, Sr. over Kylan Guerra (Blackfoot) 36-8, Sr. (Fall 1:14)

3rd Place Match

Trey Smith (Jerome) 36-10, So. over Caleb Somers (Canyon Ridge) 37-15, Sr. (Fall 1:43)

5th Place Match

Kyson Anderson-Osterhout (Minico) 37-14, Sr. over James Laudenklos (Century) 50-16, Sr. (For.)

4A 182

1 - Spencer Pease (Minico, 12) #1

2 - Dawson Conklin (Emmett, 12) #3

3 - Seth Jacobson (Shelley, 12) #4

4 - Hunter Reeves (Hillcrest, 12) #8

5 - Connor Claborn (Canyon Ridge, 12) #6

6 - Micah Serr (Preston, 12) #2

1st Place Match

Spencer Pease (Minico) 48-5, Sr. over Dawson Conklin (Emmett) 40-7, Sr. (Dec 5-1)

3rd Place Match

Seth Jacobson (Shelley) 36-11, Sr. over Hunter Reeves (Hillcrest) 39-15, Sr. (Dec 4-2)

5th Place Match

Connor Claborn (Canyon Ridge) 36-10, Sr. over Micah Serr (Preston) 50-7, Sr. (Fall 2:01)

4A 195

1 - Preston Sonner-Cranney (Minico, 11) #1

2 - Jorden Tyler (Sandpoint, 11) #2

3 - Gavin Williamson (Jerome, 12) #5

4 - Wesley Hodges (Mountain Home, 12) #6

5 - Jacob Andrae (Vallivue, 12) #7

6 - Dawandey Dilus (Blackfoot, 11) #8

1st Place Match

Preston Sonner-Cranney (Minico) 34-10, Jr. over Jorden Tyler (Sandpoint) 32-6, Jr. (Dec 4-2)

3rd Place Match

Gavin Williamson (Jerome) 35-8, Sr. over Wesley Hodges (Mountain Home) 50-12, Sr. (Dec 6-0)

5th Place Match

Jacob Andrae (Vallivue) 41-9, Sr. over Dawandey Dilus (Blackfoot) 36-12, Jr. (MD 14-3)

4A 220

1 - Garrett Vail (Minico, 12) #1

2 - Dylan Scott (Lakeland, 11) #2

3 - Jason Vazquez-Islas (Jerome, 11) #3

4 - Jake Farar (Ridgevue, 11) #5

5 - Austin Reeves (Hillcrest, 10) #6

6 - Rogan Boomer (Century, 10) #4

1st Place Match

Garrett Vail (Minico) 47-1, Sr. over Dylan Scott (Lakeland) 34-10, Jr. (Fall 1:57)

3rd Place Match

Jason Vazquez-Islas (Jerome) 25-6, Jr. over Jake Farar (Ridgevue) 38-11, Jr. (Dec 3-2)

5th Place Match

Austin Reeves (Hillcrest) 35-12, So. over Rogan Boomer (Century) 37-12, So. (Dec 9-5)

4A 285

1 - Sam Buck (Emmett, 11) #1

2 - Gabriel Paiz (Jerome, 12) #2

3 - Philip Janquart (Bishop Kelly, 12) #5

4 - Carter Vanek (Lakeland, 11) #4

5 - Layne Schulz (Canyon Ridge, 12) #6

6 - Stewart Young (Bonneville, 10) #3

1st Place Match

Sam Buck (Emmett) 40-6, Jr. over Gabriel Paiz (Jerome) 31-10, Sr. (Dec 1-0)

3rd Place Match

Philip Janquart (Bishop Kelly) 29-9, Sr. over Carter Vanek (Lakeland) 37-14, Jr. (Fall 4:55)

5th Place Match

Layne Schulz (Canyon Ridge) 30-12, Sr. over Stewart Young (Bonneville) 32-19, So. (Fall 2:12)