ORDER GAME PHOTOS

This past weekend the state of Idaho sent a large contingent of prep level wrestlers to the Uni-Dome on the campus of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls to compete at the 2023 USAW Folkstyle Nationals. A close repeat from last season, the Gem State had a strong showing this year, producing 4 individual National Champions, 32 All-Americans in the multiple age group divisions, and finished in the top 5 in the state team standings. Leading the charge with Team Idaho’s national level success is Chris Owens, the Director of USA Idaho Wrestling. His leadership coupled by the strong consolidated effort of many talented coaches and volunteers from throughout the state has brought together Idaho’s elite to showcase their talent on the national stage.

Having won back-to-back USAW Folkstyle team titles the last couple of years, Team Idaho once again won the team title in the Junior Division, placing 9.5 points ahead of Illinois. In the overall state team scoring, which takes into account the points accumulated from each of the age group divisions, Team Idaho finished fifth among the states represented. With the performances at the Folkstyle Nationals coupled by the exceptional performances at Fargo, the Gem State is definitely making its mark among the elite wrestling states and is one of the top small school states in the country (number 38 in population size in the U.S. at approximately 2 million – 2022 estimates). According to Chris Owens, “We won a lot of tough matches on the mat, especially in the top position, which I think is a great sign for us as a state…Credit to lots of coaches around the state doing good things and making top, bottom, and especially hard riding a point of emphasis!”

Without a doubt, Team Idaho represented very well in the Junior Division. Producing a total of sixteen All-Americans, four wrestlers in this division earned individual titles in their respective weight groups. They include Saxton Scott (Bonneville), Mack Mauger (Blackfoot), Jason Mara (Meridian), and his teammate Hudson Rogers.

Only a sophomore, Saxton Scott is a 2x state placer in the 3A division, finalist, and to date has three All-American honors to his credit. Rated among the top lightweights in the country, Mack Mauger of Blackfoot is committed to compete for the University of Missouri and returns in 2024 to challenge for a possible fourth state title. He has accumulated quite an impressive list of accolades during his prep career. In addition to earning three Idaho state titles in the 4A division, Mauger has also won 4 Fargo titles (16U/Junior), 3 USAW Folkstyle titles, a National Recruiting Showcase title, United World Wrestling (UWW) All-American honors, and twice has achieved the USA Wrestling Triple Crown award for winning individual titles in Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Folkstyle.

Representing traditional 5A power Meridian High School, juniors Jason Mara and Hudson Rogers have established themselves among the most accomplished wrestlers in the school’s history and return next season among the top middle weights in the Gem State and country. Together, they have a combined four national level titles, four individual state titles, and ten All-American honors overall. An exceptional student, Mara has committed to Stanford University while Rogers will be attending PAC 12 power Oregon State University.

The following medalists have two or more national accolades to their credit and have earned a combined fifteen state medals, three individual titles, and sixteen All-American honors. They include Hunter Anderson (Rigby), Jaxton Packer (South Fremont), Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly), Ryker Fullmer (Teton), Carson Gooley (Meridian), and Shilo Jones of Mountain View, who among this talented group has earned the largest sum of All-American honors with five.

The remaining Team Idaho wrestlers in the Junior Division have had exceptional prep careers to this point and this weekend earned their first All-American honor. They include Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge), Bowen Brunson (Buhl), Grayson Williams (American Falls), Ryker Gibson (Marsh Valley), Dallyn Grimes (Middleton), and Miguel Perez of Caldwell.

The remaining All-Americans are all underclassman or incoming freshman in 2024. They include Gage Loftin (Post Falls), 5A state placer Logan Shaver (Meridian), Damion Hamilton (Post Falls), Hyrum Heindel (Kuna), Cesar Palacios (American Falls), and Drake Morrison of Malad. Keep an eye on Morrison. He is among the top middle school wrestlers in the state and country and has won many age group state, regional, and national level competitions.

Also representing Team Idaho at the Uni-Dome were elementary and middle school level wrestlers in the 10U, 12U, and 14U divisions. Among the three divisions, five Team Idaho wrestlers earned All-American honors. They include Eli Armstrong (10U), Austin Armstrong (12U), Brogan Bingham (12U), Duane Leslie (14U), and Kace Fullmer (14U).

The Reno Worlds tournament has long been one of the top folkstyle events on the west coast. Attracting wrestlers of all ages from across the country, a strong contingent from the Gem State made the trip this past weekend and brought home several medals and All-American honors (top 3) competing in the 15U and 18U Divisions (Boys/Girls). Leading this group is Northwestern commit Dedrick Navarro of Nampa. Winning the Gold in the 120 weight division, Navarro completed his prep career with two state titles, four state medals overall, and multiple All-American honors to his credit.

Joining Navarro on the top stand is 4x State Champion Hunter Hobbs of South Fremont. A recent commit to the University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana, Hobbs also had an outstanding prep career and has earned numerous accolades, including a Folkstyle National title in 2022. Among the top wrestlers in the Girl’s Division in Idaho is 4x state placer Sophie Sarver of Mountain View. Bringing home, the Gold in the Girl’s 18U division, Sarver also earned All-American honors at the Reno TOC and will be continuing her wrestling career at Life University in Marietta, Georgia.

I wish all seniors going on to compete at the collegiate level the best!

The remaining Gem State wrestlers to place in the top 8 include 2022 Folkstyle All-American Koy Orr (Buhl), 5A State Champion Nikko Gonzalez (Nampa), Akio Sanders (Nampa), the Guerra brothers, Guiseppe and Jen-Luc of Mountain View, State Champion Kolby Clark (South Fremont, and Aden McGinnis (Mountain View), who in 2022 earned All-American honors at the USAW Folkstyle Nationals.

Additionally, Team Idaho sent a contingent of elementary and middle school level wrestlers (Boys/Girls) to Council Bluff, Iowa to compete at the Heartland Duals and from what I have heard is among the top performances for Idaho in the history of this event. The future looks promising!

In summary, Team Idaho represented very well at the USAW Folkstyle Nationals, Reno Worlds, and the Heartland Duals in Iowa, proving once again that the Gem State is among the top small school states in the country and that our top tier kids can compete with the best of the best. Below is a list of this year’s Folkstyle All-Americans, followed by a more comprehensive list of their top level accolades earned at the prep level, Reno World results, and results of the Heartland Duals. A job well done for all Idaho wrestlers that competed at these championships. WE’RE ONE IDAHO!

JUNIOR DIVISION ALL-AMERICANS (16)

100 – Saxton Scott (Bonneville, 10), NATIONAL CHAMPION*

100 – Hunter Anderson (Rigby, 10), 7^th Place

113 – Mack Mauger (Blackfoot, 11), NATIONAL CHAMPION

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

120 – Jaxton Packer (South Fremont, 11), 5^th Place

126 – Jake Castagneto (Bishop Kelly, 11), 2^nd Place

126 – Bowen Brunson (Buhl, 11), 3^rd Place

138 – Grayson Williams (American Falls, 12), 8^th Place

145 – Jason Mara (Meridian, 11), NATIONAL CHAMPION

160 – Ryker Fullmer (Teton, 11), 5^th Place

160 – Ryker Gibson (Marsh Valley, 11), 7^th Place

170 – Hudson Rogers (Meridian, 11), NATIONAL CHAMPION

195 – Carson Gooley (Meridian, 11), 6^th Place

285 – Shilo Jones (Mountain View, 11), 6^th Place

285 – Dallyn Grimes (Middleton, 10), 7^th Place

285 – Miguel Perez (Caldwell, 12), 8^th Place

ALL-AMERICANS (16U DIVISION)

88 – Gage Loftin (Post Falls), 8^th Place

100 – Saxton Scott (Bonneville, 10), 2^nd Place*

113 – Boden Banta (South Fremont, 10), 3^rd Place

113 – Jeremiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 10), 6^th Place

120 – Nathan Gugelman II (American Falls, 9), 6^th Place

126 – Logan Shaver (Meridian, 9), 5^th Place

132 – Drake Morrison (Malad), 2^nd Place

145 – Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 10), 6^th Place

152 – Damion Hamilton (Post Falls, 9), 6^th Place

220 – Hyrum Heindel (Kuna, 9), 5^th Place

220 – Cesar Palacios (American Falls, 10), 8^th Place

*Double All-American (16U/JR Divisions)

ALL-AMERICANS (10U/12U/14U DIVISIONS)

63 – Eli Armstrong (Idaho Falls), 2^nd Place (10U)

70 – Austin Armstrong (Idaho Falls), 5^th Place (12U)

117 – Brogan Bingham (Gooding), 6^th Place (12U)

149 – Duane Leslie (Post Falls), 2^nd Place (14U)

149 – Kace Fullmer (Tetonia), 6^th Place (14U)

TOP 10 STATES – JUNIOR DIVISION

1 – Idaho: 365.5

2 – Illinois: 355.0

3 – Wisconsin: 310.0

4 – Iowa: 303.5

5 – Kansas: 198.0

6 – Minnesota: 196.5

7 – Montana: 195.0

8 – Alabama: 111.0

9 – Missouri: 105.0

10 – Colorado: 96.0

TOP 10 STATES (accumulation of all age group divisions)

1 – Iowa: 1417.5 pts.

2 – Wisconsin: 1393.5

3 – Illinois: 1359.0

4 – Minnesota: 1098.0

5 – Idaho: 993.5

6 – Missouri: 716.5

7 – Kansas: 670.5

8 – Indiana: 585.0

9 – Colorado: 449.0

10 – North Dakota: 446.0

A CLOSER LOOK AT IDAHO’S 2023 FOLKSTYLE ALL-AMERICANS

16U/Junior Divisions

88 – GAGE LOFTIN (Post Falls)

• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ’23

   

  100 – SAXTON SCOTT (Bonneville, 10)

   

  100 – HUNTER ANDERSON (Rigby, 10)

   

  113 – BODEN BANTA (South Fremont, 10)

• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘23
• 2x Idaho State Champion (3A) ’22 – ’23
• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘22
• Fargo All-American – 16U GR ‘22

   

  113 – JEREMIAH GONZALEZ (Meridian, 10)

• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘23
• Idaho State Champion, 2^nd (5A) ’22 – ‘23

• USAW Junior Folkstyle National Champion ‘23
• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ’23
• 3^rd, 2^nd Idaho State (4A) ’22 – ‘23
• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘22

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ‘23
• 5^th Idaho State (5A) ‘22

113 – MACK MAUGER (Blackfoot, 11)

• 3x USAW Folkstyle National Champion ’21 – ’23
• 3x Idaho State Champion (4A) ’21 – ‘23
• National Recruiting Showcase Champion ‘22
• 4x Fargo National Champion (16U/JR) ’21 – ‘22
• 2x USA Wrestling Triple Crown Winner ’21 – ’23
• United World Wrestling All-American – FS/GR ’21 – ‘22

120 – TALEN ECK (Thunder Ridge, 11)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ‘23
• 2x Idaho State Champion, 2^nd (5A) ’21 – ‘23

120 – JAXTON PACKER (South Fremont, 11)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ‘23
• 2^nd, 3^rd, 2^nd Idaho State (3A) ’21 – ‘23
• Fargo All-American – 16U GR ‘21
• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘21

120 – NATHAN GUGELMAN II (American Falls, 9)

• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ’23
• Idaho State Champion (3A) ‘23

126 – JAKE CASTAGNETO (Bishop Kelly, 11)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ‘23
• 2x Idaho State Champion, 2^nd (2A/5A) ’21 – ‘23
• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘22

126 – BOWEN BRUNSON (Buhl, 11)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ‘23
• 2x Idaho State Champion, 2^nd (3A) ’21 – ’23

126 – LOGAN SHAVER (Meridian, 9)

• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ’23
• 4^th Idaho State (5A)

132 – DRAKE MORRISON (Malad)

• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘23
• Idaho Middle School Folkstyle State Champion ‘23
• USAW 14U National Champion ‘22

138 – GRAYSON WILLIAMS (American Falls, 12)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ’23
• 3x Idaho State Champion, 4^th (3A) ’20 – ’23

145 – JASON MARA (Meridian, 11)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle National Champion ‘23
• 3x Idaho State Champion (5A) ’21 – ’23
• USAW Folkstyle 16U All-American ‘22
• NHSCA National Champion ‘22
• USAW Folkstyle 16U National Champion ‘21
• Fargo All-American – 16U ‘21

145 – CARLOS VALDEZ (Bishop Kelly, 10)

• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘23
• 4^th, 3^rd Idaho State (4A) ’22 – ‘23
• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘22

152 – DAMION HAMILTON (Post Falls, 9)

• USAW 16UFolkstyle All-American ‘23
• Idaho State Qualifier (5A) ’23
• IHSAA 5A District I-II Champion ’23

160 – RYKER FULLMER (Teton, 11)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ’23
• 6^th, 2^nd, Idaho State Champion (3A) ’21 – ’23
• USAW Showcase Folkstyle All-American ‘22

160 – RYKER GIBSON (Marsh Valley, 11)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ‘23
• 3^rd, Idaho State Champion (3A) ’22 – ’23

170 – HUDONS ROGERS (Meridian, 11)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle National Champion ’23
• Idaho State Champion, 2^nd (3A/5A) ’21 – ’23
• National Recruiting Showcase All-American ‘22
• Fargo All-American – 16U FS ‘22
• Fargo All-American – 16U GR ‘21
• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘21

195 – CARSON GOOLEY (Meridian, 11)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ’23
• 2^nd, Idaho State Champion (5A) ’22 – ’23
• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘22

220 – HYRUM HEINDEL (Kuna, 9)

• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘23

220 – CESAR PALACIOS (American Falls, 10)

• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘23
• Idaho State Qualifier (3A) ‘23

285 – SHILO JONES (Mountain View, 11)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ’23
• NHSCA Junior All-American ‘23
• Fargo All-American – JR GR ‘22
• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘22
• USAW 16U Folkstyle All-American ‘21
• 6^th, 5^th, 2^nd Idaho State (5A) ’21 – ’23

285 – DALLYN GRIMES (Middleton, 10)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ‘23

   

  285 – Miguel Perez (Caldwell, 12)

• USAW Junior Folkstyle All-American ’23
• 3^rd, 3^rd, 3^rd, Idaho State Champion (4A) ’20 – ‘23

RENO WORLDS – IDAHO WRESTLERS

115 – Koy Orr (Buhl, 10), 3^rd Place (15U)*

120 – Dedrick Navarro (Nampa, 12), CHAMPION (18U)*

127 – Sophie Sarver (Mountain View, 12), CHAMPION (18U Girls)*

138 – Nikko Gonzalez (Nampa, 12), 3^rd Place (18U)*

138 – Akio Sanders (Nampa, 11), 8^th Place (18U)

145 – Guiseppe Guerra (Mountain View, 12), 3^rd Place (18U)*

157 – Jen-Luc Guerra (Mountain View, 10), 3^rd Place (15U)*

170 – Hunter Hobbs (South Fremont, 12), CHAMPION (18U)*

182 – Kolby Clark (South Fremont, 12), 7^th Place (18U)

285 – Aden McGinnis (Mountain View, 12), 3^rd Place (18U)*

*All-American status

HEARTLAND NATIONAL DUALS – COUNCIL BLUFF, IOWA

Elementary/Middle School levels (Boys/Girls)

MIDDLE SCHOOL RESULTS – TEAM IDAHO (Boys)

TEAM FINISH – 4^th Place (Diamond Division)

POOL A (2^nd Place)

Team Idaho vs. Kansas, Won 65-12

Team Idaho vs. Minnesota, Lost 52-27

Team Idaho vs. Iowa, Won 89-0

Team Idaho vs. Kansas GTO, Won 94-0

Team Idaho vs. USA Vision, Won 92-0

DIAMOND DIVISION

Team Idaho vs. Texas, Won 47 – 28

Team Idaho vs. Oklahoma, Lost 56 – 19

Team Idaho vs. Iowa, Lost 50 – 34

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

75 – Ivan Hernandez, 4-4

80 –  Holten Crane, 7-1

85 – Brand`n Edstrom, 8-0

90 – Greysen Packer, 8-0

95 – Camden Kuntz, 8-0

102 – Rydge Vail, 4-4

110 – Raidyn Pugsley, 5-3

117 – Ian Avalos, 3-5

125 – Jake Mescher, 5-3

132 – Drake Morrison, 8-0

140 – Oakley Maddox, 5-3

150 – Kace Fullmer, 5-3

160 – Talon Heinley, 3-5

175 – Blaise Turner, 5-3

195 – McGregor Miller, 5-2

220 – Caleb Carpenter, 6-2

275 – Levi Morales, 5-3

GIRLS DIVISION RESULTS – TEAM IDAHO

POOL B

Team Idaho vs. Texas Blue, Lost 52-16

Team Idaho vs. Kansas, Lost 39-27

Team Idaho vs. Oklahoma, Lost 40-27

Team Idaho vs. Utah, Won 75-0

Team Idaho vs Iowa, Lost 55-12

Team Idaho vs. Nebraska, Lost 36-30

TEAM IDAHO – 2nd Place (Platinum Pool)

Team Idaho vs. Kansas 2, Won 43-24

Team Idaho vs. Utah 2, Won 73-0

Team Idaho vs. Oklahoma Elite, Lost 44-30

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

58 – Camille Fisher, 4-5

65 – Kalaya Baxter, 3-6

73 – Mackenzie Dolan, 5-4

82 – Caydence Aagard, 2-7

89 – Sophia Ortiz, 2-7

97 – Taylor Drake, 7-2

102 – Ali Svancara, 5-4

109 – Olivia Bezdicek, 9-0

117 – Mattisin Bidiman, 3-6

126 – Aubree Graves, 2-7

138 – Roxy Sheen, 8-1

150 – Kahli Brown, 7-2

165 – Eva Willis, 4-5

ELEMENTARY DIVISION RESULTS – TEAM IDAHO (Boys)

TEAM FINISH –  3^rd Place (Platinum Pool)

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

50 – Waylon Martin, 4-4

55 – Jacob Martinez, 4-4

60 – Gradyn Harvey, 4-4

65 – Xander Edstrom, 4-4

70 – Austin Armstrong, 7-1

75 – Ivan Hernandez, 2-6

80 – Mason Wright, 3-5

85 – Waycen Gillette, 5-3

90 – Harper Stone, 5-3

95 – Ayden Caywood, 6-2

100 – Ryatt Shurtz, 2-6

105 – Jax Mescher, 4-4

130 – Jax Kelly, 7-1

140 – Keen Wilson, 5-3

160 – Emmit Rivadeneira, 8-0