The 2023 Idaho State Wrestling Championships held at the Ford Center in Nampa lived up to all my pre-tournament expectations and much more. It was definitely a barnburner of an event from start to finish. This year’s 5A division crowned four new 3x State Champions, four 2x Champions, and seven first time champions. Additionally, eight wrestlers earned their fourth state medal, ten with number three, and thirty-eight more earning their second medal. The team race between Meridian, Post Falls, and Nampa lived up to all the pre-tournament hype and was a battle from the start to finish.

The 5A division produced a large contingent of wrestlers with multiple state titles, placings, and All-American honors to their credit. Joining the 3x State Champions Club is a group of talented wrestlers with not only high level state experience, but national level accomplishments, too. They include 2x All-American Carson Exferd (132s) of Nampa, Meridian’s All-American and Oregon State commit Cade White (160s), and his teammate, Jason Mara (152s), a 5x All-American who recently committed to Stanford University and is in position to win a possible fourth. Earning their second titles include All-American Rider Sequine (Post Falls), Hoyt Hvass of Lewiston (126s), 3x All-American and Northwestern University commit Dedrick Navarro (Nampa), and Borah’s Aden Attao, a 2x National Fargo Champion, U20 World Bronze medalist, and commit to Oregon State.

A total of eight wrestlers earned their first state title. They include Highland’s Sawyer Anderson (98s), Jeremiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 113s), Carson Burton (Thunder Ridge, 145s), Isaiah Twait (Meridian, 182s), All-American Carson Gooley (Meridian, 195s), and Trevor Miller of Post Falls at 220s. The feature title matches of the evening were at 138s and 170s, respectively. Having already met in the district finals a week prior, Nampa’s 4x State placer Nikko Gonzalez reversed his loss by winning a highly contested 138 pound match over Eagle’s 5x All-American and Nebraska commit Tanner Frothinger in sudden victory overtime, preventing him from earning a rare fourth state title. At 170s, Jose Laguna of Post Falls battled Meridian’s 3x All-American and Oregon State commit Hudson Rogers for three solid rounds, winning convincingly by a decision of 6-1. Undoubtedly, two of the top matches of the evening.

Other notable statistics include wrestlers that have earned greater than one state medal in their prep careers. At this year’s state tournament, a total of thirty-eight wrestlers earned their second medal, ten earned number three, and eight more making their fourth trip to the medal stand. Among this talented group include four-time placers Zach MacDonald of Lake City (5, 2, 1, 4), Nampa’s Simon Alberto-Luna (2, 1, 2, 3), and Rustan Cordingley of Highland (3, 3, 4, 3) to name a few. Others joining the three-time club and in position to earn a rare fourth next season include Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge), Cole Currin (Kuna), Tyson Barnhart (Post Falls), Jacob Blanford (Middleton), and 2x All-American Shilo Jones of Mountain View.

In the team race, Meridian won their third state title in a row with five individual champions and twelve placers overall. As discussed prior to the championships, it was going to take an “All-Hands” on deck performance by Meridian to outpace Post Falls and Nampa for the team title. From the start to finish, the team race was very close between the top 3 and did not disappoint, living up to the pre-tournament hype. At the conclusion of the second day of competition, the team score was close, but it was Meridian’s to lose after having a solid semi-final round. On day three, Meridian won a majority of their consolation matches with several wrestlers making it to the third place match, which at this point significantly increased the gap between Post Falls and Nampa, basically securing the team title heading into the championship finals. Overall, an exciting competition throughout!

Taking a closer look at the 5A state results, 77 out of 90 wrestlers seeded in the top 6 placed (86%), while seeds 7^th/8^th had 8 placers (9%), followed by non-seeds with 5 (~6%). The lowest seed to win an individual state title was Nikko Gonzalez of Nampa at #3 (138s). Additionally, the total number of No. 2 wrestlers to place in the 5A division was 4 (4.4%) and incoming freshman placers at 8 (9%). Below is a more comprehensive list of multiple state champions, placers, and final results in the top 6 (w/pre-tournament seeds).

5A TOP 5 TEAM SCORES

1 – Meridian: 280.5 (5 Champions/12 Placers)

2 – Post Falls: 261.5 (3 Champions/13 Placers)

3 – Nampa: 241.5 (3 Champions/11 Placers)

4 – Mountain View: 126.0 (6 Placers)

5 – Highland: 111.0 (1 Champion/6 Placers)

5A INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS

98 – Sawyer Anderson (Highland, 9)

106 – Rider Sequine (Post Falls, 10)

113 – Jeremiah Gonzales (Meridian, 10)

120 – Dedrick Navarro (Nampa, 12)

126 – Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston, 11)

132 – Carson Exferd (Nampa, 11)

138 – Nikko Gonzalez (Nampa, 12)

145 – Carson Burton (Thunder Ridge, 12)

152 – Jason Mara (Meridian, 11)

160 – Cade White (Meridian, 12)

170 – Jose Laguna (Post Falls, 12)

182 – Isaiah Twait (Meridian, 12)

195 – Carson Gooley (Meridian, 11)

220 – Trevor Miller (Post Falls, 12)

285 – Aden Attao (Borah, 12)

3X STATE CHAMPIONS

132 – Carson Exferd (Nampa, 11)

138 – Tanner Frothinger (Eagle, 12)

152 – Jason Mara (Meridian, 11)

160 – Cade White (Meridian, 12)

2X STATE CHAMPIONS

106 – Rider Sequine (Post Falls, 10)

120 – Dedrick Navarro (Nampa, 12)

126 – Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston, 11)

285 – Aden Attao (Borah, 12)

4X STATE PLACERS

113 – Zach MacDonald (Lake City, 12), 5^th, 2^nd, 1^st, 4^th

120 – Dedrick Navarro (Nampa, 12), 1^st, 2^nd, 2^nd, 1^st

126 – Simon Alberto-Luna (Nampa, 12), 2^nd, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd

138 – Tanner Frothinger (Eagle, 12), 1^st, 1^st, 1^st, 2^nd

138 – Nikko Gonzalez (Nampa, 12), 2^nd, 4^th, 2^nd, 1^st

160 – Cade White (Meridian, 12), 1^st, 1^st, 2^nd, 1^st

170 – Rustan Cordingley (Highland, 12), 3^rd, 3^rd, 4^th, 3^rd

182 – Isaiah Twait (Meridian, 12), 3^rd, 3^rd, 2^nd, 1^st

3X STATE PLACERS

120 – Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge, 11), 1^st, 1^st, 2^nd

126 – Cole Currin (Kuna, 11), 2^nd, 2^nd, 2^nd

132 – Tyson Barnhart (Post Falls, 11), 1^st, 4^th, 2^nd

132 – Carson Exferd (Nampa, 11), 1^st, 1^st, 1^st

145 – Kody Rich (Kuna, 12), 4^th, 3^rd, 4^th

152 – Jason Mara (Meridian, 11), 1^st, 1^st, 1^st

152 – Jacob Blanford (Middleton, 11), 6^th, 2^nd, 2^nd

170 – Jose Laguna (Post Falls, 12), 5^th, 4^th, 1^st

220 – Trevor Miller (Post Falls, 12), 5^th, 3^rd, 1^st

285 – Shilo Jones (Mountain View, 11), 6^th, 5^th, 2^nd

2X STATE PLACERS

106 – Rider Sequine (Post Falls, 10), 1^st, 1^st

106 – Gabe Arnold (Meridian, 10), 3^rd, 3^rd

106 – Chase Jensen (Rocky Mountain, 11), 6^th, 5^th 

113 – Jerimiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 10), 2^nd, 1^st

113 – Isaac Scott (Thunder Ridge, 12), 3^rd, 5^th

113 – Aulani Macias (Nampa, 11), 6^th ’21, 2^nd

120 – Jaybn Kemble (Middleton, 10), 4^th, 3^rd

120 – Joey Madden (Eagle, 12), 6^th, 6^th

126 – Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston, 11), 1^st, 1^st

126 – Matthew Papa (Meridian, 11), 3^rd, 4^th

126 – Zack Campbell (Post Falls, 12), 5^th, 6^th

126 – Cael Bullock (Rocky Mountain, 11), 3^rd, 4^th ‘22

132 – Kellen Kolka (Meridian, 12), 4^th ’21, 3^rd

132 – Wylie Stone (Eagle, 11), 6^th ’21, 4^th

132 – Parker Reeves (Thunder Ridge, 11), 5^th ’21, 5^th

132 – Connor McCarroll (Post Falls, 12), 3^rd, 6^th ‘22

138 – Dax Larsen (Coeur d’ Alene, 12), 2^nd, 4^th

138 – Payson Solomon (Highland, 12), 6^th, 6^th

138 – Hunter Lowe (Kuna, 11), 5^th, 5^th ‘22

138 – Adrien Wess (Mountain View, 12), 6^th, 4^th ‘22

138 – Titus Nichols (Rocky Mountain, 12), 5^th, 4^th ‘22

145 – Trey Smith (Post Falls, 10), 5^th, 3^rd

152 -  Seth Martin (Post Falls, 10), 4^th, 3^rd

160 – John Rudebaugh (Post Falls, 12), 3^rd, 3^rd

160 – Jonathan Seamons (Nampa, 11) 3^rd, 2^nd

170 – Hudson Rodgers (Meridian, 11), 1^st ’21, 2^nd

170 – Ashton Peterson (Madison, 12), 6^th, 6^th

182 – Colton George (Highland, 11), 4^th ’21, 6^th

182 – Carson Speelman (Coeur d’ Alene, 11), 6^th, 6^th ‘22

195 – Carson Gooley (Meridian, 11), 2^nd, 1^st

195 – Gentry Smith (Post Falls, 12), 3^rd, 2^nd

220 – Eli Anderton (Highland, 12), 1^st, 3^rd

220 – Cash Weeks (Middleton 11), 3^rd, 2^nd

220 – Seth Brock (Eagle, 11), 4^th, 4^th

220 – Malcolm Duthie (Post Falls, 12), 5^th, 5^th

285 – Payton Gunter (Nampa, 12), 1^st, 4^th

285 – Aden Attao (Borah, 12), 1^st, 1^st 

285 – Robert Storm (Lewiston, 12), 3^rd, 5^th

5A INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (TOP 6)

Weight (Division)

Place – Name (School, Grade) #seed

98 (5A)

1 - Sawyer Anderson (Highland, 9) #1

2 - Ilan Shank (Nampa, 9) #2

3 - Mason Motley (Meridian, 10) #4

4 - Dylan Frothinger (Eagle, 9) #3

5 - Greyson Peterson (Madison, 9) #7

6 - Rocco White (Coeur d Alene, 9) #5

1st Place Match

Sawyer Anderson (Highland) 51-4, Fr. over Ilan Shank (Nampa) 39-8, Fr. (MD 13-3)

3rd Place Match

Mason Motley (Meridian) 42-6, So. over Dylan Frothinger (Eagle) 35-9, Fr. (Dec 7-1)

5th Place Match

Greyson Peterson (Madison) 31-17, Fr. over Rocco White (Coeur d Alene) 23-13, Fr. (Fall 2:06)

106 (5A)

1 - Rider Seguine (Post Falls, 10) #1

2 - Vincent Contreras (Nampa, 9) #2

3 - Gabriel Arnold (Meridian, 10) #4

4 - Logan Loaiza (Post Falls, 9) #6

5 - Chase Jensen (Rocky Mountain, 10) #5

6 - Teague Jensen (Madison, 10) #7

1st Place Match

Rider Seguine (Post Falls) 38-4, So. over Vincent Contreras (Nampa) 38-5, Fr. (Fall 2:38)

3rd Place Match

Gabriel Arnold (Meridian) 37-11, So. over Logan Loaiza (Post Falls) 22-14, Fr. (Fall 1:26)

5th Place Match

Chase Jensen (Rocky Mountain) 33-14, Jr. over Teague Jensen (Madison) 23-16, So. (Dec 6-2)

113 (5A)

1 - Jerimiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 10) #2

2 - Aulani Macias (Nampa, 11) #4

3 - Ashton Ramos (Capital, 12) #3

4 - Zach MacDonald (Lake City, 12) #1

5 - Isaac Scott (Thunder Ridge, 12) #7

6 - Braeten Jorgensen (Centennial, 11) #5

1st Place Match

Jerimiah Gonzalez (Meridian) 49-4, So. over Aulani Macias (Nampa) 29-10, Jr. (Dec 4-3)

3rd Place Match

Ashton Ramos (Capital) 38-11, Sr. over Zach MacDonald (Lake City) 33-7, Sr. (Dec 7-4)

5th Place Match

Isaac Scott (Thunder Ridge) 42-16, Sr. over Braeten Jorgensen (Centennial) 32-13, Jr. (Fall 4:55)

120 (5A)

1 - Dedrick Navarro (Nampa, 12) #2

2 - Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge, 11) #1

3 - Jabyn Kemble (Middleton, 10) #3

4 - Logan Shaver (Meridian, 9) #5

5 - Cantril Nielsen (Boise, 12) #6

6 - Joe Madden (Eagle, 12) #4

1st Place Match

Dedrick Navarro (Nampa) 44-8, Sr. over Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge) 46-6, Jr. (Dec 3-2)

3rd Place Match

Jabyn Kemble (Middleton) 36-15, So. over Logan Shaver (Meridian) 41-11, Fr. (Dec 5-1)

5th Place Match

Cantril Nielsen (Boise) 29-18, Sr. over Joe Madden (Eagle) 22-7, Sr. (Dec 9-7)

126 (5A)

1 - Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston, 11) #1

2 - Cole Currin (Kuna, 11) #2

3 - Simon Alberto Luna (Nampa, 12) #3

4 - Matthew Papa (Meridian, 11) #5

5 - Nate Galloway (Rocky Mountain, 10) NS

6 - Zack Campbell (Post Falls, 12) #8

1st Place Match

Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston) 38-2, Jr. over Cole Currin (Kuna) 39-11, Jr. (Dec 5-0)

3rd Place Match

Simon Alberto Luna (Nampa) 27-9, Sr. over Matthew Papa (Meridian) 44-13, Jr. (Dec 3-1)

5th Place Match

Nate Galloway (Rocky Mountain) 28-14, So. over Zack Campbell (Post Falls) 25-21, Sr. (Dec 3-1)

132 (5A)

1 - Carson Exferd (Nampa, 11) #1

2 - Tyson Barnhart (Post Falls, 11) #2

3 - Kellen Kolka (Meridian, 12) #4

4 - Wylie Stone (Eagle, 11) #3

5 - Parker Reeves (Thunder Ridge, 11) #5

6 - Trever Clemans (Capital, 11) #7

1st Place Match

Carson Exferd (Nampa) 43-7, Jr. over Tyson Barnhart (Post Falls) 36-10, Jr. (Dec 7-1)

3rd Place Match

Kellen Kolka (Meridian) 39-11, Sr. over Wylie Stone (Eagle) 39-12, Jr. (Dec 5-4)

5th Place Match

Parker Reeves (Thunder Ridge) 41-17, Jr. over Trever Clemans (Capital) 41-18, Jr. (Dec 7-0)

138 (5A)

1 - Nikko Gonzalez (Nampa, 12) #3

2 - Tanner Frothinger (Eagle, 12) #1

3 - Gabriel Brown (Capital, 11) NS

4 - Dax Larsen (Coeur d Alene, 12) #2

5 - Tanner Piper (Post Falls, 10) #8

6 - Payson Solomon (Highland, 12) #5

1st Place Match

Nikko Gonzalez (Nampa) 42-8, Sr. over Tanner Frothinger (Eagle) 38-2, Sr. (SV-1 7-5)

3rd Place Match

Gabriel Brown (Capital) 38-10, Jr. over Dax Larsen (Coeur d Alene) 35-9, Sr. (Dec 7-2)

5th Place Match

Tanner Piper (Post Falls) 22-13, So. over Payson Solomon (Highland) 32-16, Sr. (Fall 4:39)

145 (5A)

1 - Carson Burton (Thunder Ridge, 12) #1

2 - Guiseppe Guerra (Mountain View, 12) #2

3 - Trey Smith (Post Falls, 10) #4

4 - Kody Rich (Kuna, 12) #3

5 - Patrick Lakey (Centennial, 11) #7

6 - Joseph Mozes Jimenez  (Nampa, 12) #6

1st Place Match

Carson Burton (Thunder Ridge) 38-11, Sr. over Guiseppe Guerra (Mountain View) 41-10, Sr. (Fall 3:37)

3rd Place Match

Trey Smith (Post Falls) 35-14, So. over Kody Rich (Kuna) 29-7, Sr. (Dec 7-3)

5th Place Match

Patrick Lakey (Centennial) 32-18, Jr. over Joseph Mozes Jimenez (Nampa) 32-16, Sr. (Fall 4:24)

152 (5A)

1 - Jason Mara (Meridian, 11) #1

2 - Jacob Blandford (Middleton, 11) #3

3 - Seth Martin (Post Falls, 10) #2

4 - Jean-Luc Guerra (Mountain View, 10) #4

5 - Ehler Say (Boise, 12) #5

6 - Trevor Hardy (Nampa, 12) NS

1st Place Match

Jason Mara (Meridian) 52-4, Jr. over Jacob Blandford (Middleton) 41-6, Jr. (MD 11-2)

3rd Place Match

Seth Martin (Post Falls) 46-9, So. over Jean-Luc Guerra (Mountain View) 38-9, So. (Fall 2:02)

5th Place Match

Ehler Say (Boise) 36-13, Sr. over Trevor Hardy (Nampa) 10-9, Sr. (Dec 4-2)

160 (5A)

1 - Cade White (Meridian, 12) #1

2 - Jonathan Seamons (Nampa, 11) #2

3 - John Rudebaugh (Post Falls, 12) #3

4 - Cole Nelson (Madison, 11) #6

5 - Devin Dobson (Highland, 12) #5

6 - Ehler Htoo (Boise, 12) NS

1st Place Match

Cade White (Meridian) 41-5, Sr. over Jonathan Seamons (Nampa) 41-10, Jr. (Dec 11-7)

3rd Place Match

John Rudebaugh (Post Falls) 39-12, Sr. over Cole Nelson (Madison) 33-15, Jr. (Dec 8-2)

5th Place Match

Devin Dobson (Highland) 34-16, Sr. over Ehler Htoo (Boise) 21-12, Sr. (Fall 2:00)

170 (5A)

1 - Jose Laguna (Post Falls, 12) #1

2 - Hudson Rogers (Meridian, 11) #3

3 - Rustan Cordingley (Highland, 12) #2

4 - Treven Hokland (Middleton, 11) #5

5 - Benjamin Miller (Boise, 12) #6

6 - Ashton Peterson (Madison, 12) #4

1st Place Match

Jose Laguna (Post Falls) 36-1, Sr. over Hudson Rogers (Meridian) 46-6, Jr. (Dec 6-1)

3rd Place Match

Rustan Cordingley (Highland) 40-4, Sr. over Treven Hokland (Middleton) 41-9, Jr. (Dec 4-2)

5th Place Match

Benjamin Miller (Boise) 36-11, Sr. over Ashton Peterson (Madison) 33-9, Sr. (Fall 0:53)

182 (5A)

1 - Isaiah Twait (Meridian, 12) #1

2 - Tristan Smilie (Meridian, 12) #2

3 - Jacob King (Mountain View, 12) #7

4 - Mason Rasmussen (Owyhee, 12) #6

5 - Garrett Leonard (Lake City, 10) #4

6 - Colton George (Highland, 11) #2

1st Place Match

Isaiah Twait (Meridian) 45-4, Sr. over Tristan Smilie (Meridian) 37-8, Sr. (TF-1.5 5:25 (19-4))

3rd Place Match

Jacob King (Mountain View) 37-16, Sr. over Mason Rasmussen (Owyhee) 37-10, Sr. (Fall 2:50)

5th Place Match

Garrett Leonard (Lake City) 38-11, So. over Colton George (Highland) 23-8, Jr. (Dec 5-4)

195 (5A)

1 - Carson Gooley (Meridian, 11) #1

2 - Gentry Smith (Post Falls, 12) #2

3 - Kody Biggs (Kuna, 11) #3

4 - Maxim Osmond (Owyhee, 11) #4

5 - Troy Grizzle (Mountain View, 11) #5

6 - Kendall Sage (Post Falls, 10) NS

1st Place Match

Carson Gooley (Meridian) 44-6, Jr. over Gentry Smith (Post Falls) 38-3, Sr. (Dec 3-1)

3rd Place Match

Kody Biggs (Kuna) 39-10, Jr. over Maxim Osmond (Owyhee) 38-13, Jr. (Dec 7-2)

5th Place Match

Troy Grizzle (Mountain View) 38-21, Jr. over Kendall Sage (Post Falls) 24-15, So. (Dec 8-2)

220 (5A)

1 - Trevor Miller (Post Falls, 12) #2

2 - Cash Weeks (Middleton, 11) #4

3 - Eli Anderton (Highland, 12) #1

4 - Seth Brock (Eagle, 11) #5

5 - Malcolm Duthie (Post Falls, 12) #3

6 - Kaeden Lincoln (Borah, 12) #6

1st Place Match

Trevor Miller (Post Falls) 44-2, Sr. over Cash Weeks (Middleton) 33-5, Jr. (Fall 2:54)

3rd Place Match

Eli Anderton (Highland) 42-5, Sr. over Seth Brock (Eagle) 27-9, Jr. (Fall 2:33)

5th Place Match

Malcolm Duthie (Post Falls) 29-12, Sr. over Kaeden Lincoln (Borah) 25-11, Sr. (Dec 5-3)

285 (5A)

1 - Aden Attao (Borah, 12) #1

2 - Shilo Jones (Mountain View, 11) #2

3 - Braden Moore (Mountain View, 11) #5

4 - Payton Gunter (Nampa, 12) #4

5 - Robert Storm (Lewiston, 12) #3

6 - Rex Salas (Madison, 10) #6

1st Place Match

Aden Attao (Borah) 36-0, Sr. over Shilo Jones (Mountain View) 43-5, Jr. (MD 10-2)

3rd Place Match

Braden Moore (Mountain View) 34-7, Sr. over Payton Gunter (Nampa) 31-7, Sr. (Dec 4-1)

5th Place Match

Robert Storm (Lewiston) 34-6, Sr. over Rex Salas (Madison) 16-11, So. (Fall 3:30)