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ORDER GAME PHOTOS
EDITOR'S NOTE: If there is an athlete that is missing from our list of collegiate wrestlers, please let us know by emailing brandon@idahosports.com.
According to United States population estimates for 2022, the Gem State of Idaho ranked #38 with just under two million residence (pop. 1,939,033). Considering our small population size, the sport of wrestling in Idaho is advancing and performing very well at the national prep level. Per capita, I believe Idaho is among the top small states in the country for wrestling. For instance, since 2021, Idaho has produced a state record number of All-American honors at the Fargo Nationals (all divisions – FS/GR) and with the recent performances at the USAW Folkstyle Nationals has brought home nearly 100 All-American honors in the last three years (sum total – all age group divisions).
Unquestionably, Idaho is producing a significant number of Gems each year (a handful being Hidden Gems) and in return college level coaches are taking notice. With this in mind, the probability of a high school athlete making it to the collegiate level is a lot less than many would perceive. According to a 2020 study performed by the NCAA (estimated probability study for all high school sports), just over 1% of high school wrestlers (boys) in the United States continue their mat careers at the NCAA Division I level; whereas, the remaining divisions are slightly less or greater than (NCAA Division II – < 1.0% / NCAA Division III – 1.2% / NAIA – < 1.0%). The statistical numbers in the girl’s division are in the same neighborhood, but due to the continuous growth taking place the percentages fluctuate.
Taking into consideration that as of 2022, there are 400 plus US Colleges sponsoring varsity wrestling teams (Mens) among the five divisions (DI, DII DIII, NAIA, and NJCAA), the probability of receiving a scholarship in any of these divisions is extremely low, but not impossible with hard work and commitment. Currently in the growth phase, the woman’s division has nearly 150 programs offering wrestling and with recent growth trends will continue to expand in the future years to come. The following is a breakdown in the number of programs offering collegiate wrestling in both the men’s and women’s divisions (According to the National Wrestling Coaches Associate site – 2023). Please note that these numbers fluctuate depending on the source:
COLLEGIATE LEVEL PROGRAMS BY DIVISION (Men/Women)
- DIVISION I – 80 (M) / 4 (W)
- DIVISION II – 72 (M )/32 (W)
- DIVISION III – 121 (M) /50 (W)
- NAIA – 77 (M) / 45 (W)
- NJCAA – 57 (M) / 18 (W)
TOTALS: 407 (M) / 149 (W) *
*Does not include the club programs in the National Collegiate Wrestling Associate (NCWA).
There are several ways to measure the success of a wrestling program, an individual wrestler, or the status of a state among the nation’s elite. One metric in particular is the number of All-Americans produced annually at national age group competitions, such as the USAW Folkstyle and Fargo Nationals. Based on historical data, Idaho has statistically been on an upward trajectory the past several years at these events. Case and point, since 2021, the Gem State has produced a total of 93 All-American honors at the USAW Folkstyle Nationals (sum of all age group divisions), along with winning several state team titles in the process. Additionally, in the last two years, Idaho has produced a total of 45 All-Americans at Fargo (state record 24 All-Americans in 2021) and this past summer placed in the top 5 in both the Junior Freestyle and Greco-Roman divisions (Note – Team Idaho placed 4th in the 16U Greco-Roman division in 2021 – Highest finish ever).
The single metric that impresses me even more is the number of Idaho wrestlers committing to top level Division I programs the last few years, which is not an easy task. This year alone, a total of 14 wrestlers have committed (9 – West Region, 3 – Midwest Region, 1 – Southern Region, 1 – Northeast Region) to compete at the next level with 11 headed to Division I programs (85%). Considering our small population size, this is a very impressive per capita statistic and a testament to the hard work and commitment by many in Idaho to grow wrestling in the Gem State. All the more reason to reinstate the storied program at Boise State and bring back Division I wrestling to the Idaho (Note – the state of Idaho has one program in the NJCAA at North Idaho College).
The Idaho wrestlers who have recently committed to compete at the collegiate level along with those already competing all have one thing in common. To put it simply, they are fully committed to excel to the highest levels of the sport, dedicated to the grind, and prepared to put their reputation on the line against the best competition in the country. This alone sets them apart from the average competitor. Once again, to have 11 wrestlers committed to compete at the Division I level in a single season is a significant number. Additionally, the girl’s division has witnessed an upward trajectory since first being sanctioned with the boys in 2022 and to already have 10 girls commit (3 – West Region, 5 – Midwest Region, 2 – Southern Region) is remarkable and a testament to the commitment by many to grow women’s wrestling in Idaho.
Nevertheless, it does not surprise me considering the strong wrestling culture that has been established and the number of young wrestlers gravitating to it. It reminds of the famous line in the movie Field of Dreams, “If you build it, he will come.” Well, in Idaho the wrestling environment and setting has been built and many have arrived to train, work extremely hard, and test their potential against the elite. One example is the Best on Best training conducted bi-weekly in the Treasure Valley by Idaho USA Wrestling Director, Chris Owens. I’ve attended many of these training sessions and the norm is to have at least 7 to 10 All-Americans in the room training together along with many up and coming talent. Another example is the ALL-IN Academy run by former Boise State wrestler Levi Jones, which attracts a lot of grassroots level kids receiving advanced technique and instruction. According to Ponch Aleman, whose son Marcus is a freshman and state finalist from Fruitland High School, “We have been a part of the Idaho Wrestling Community/Family for about 11 years now. My son has trained in different rooms with different skill sets, but I’ve never seen the wrestling craze I am seeing now! Marcus currently trains with Levi Jones at ALL IN Wrestling Academy…Rooms like that and Chris Owen’s Best on Best practices is the best thing that could be happening for wrestlers trying to become better at what they love to do! You can get multiple Fargo finalist, All-Americans, and State Champions all in one room…Sky is the limit! High level wrestling rooms like that is so important to the Valley. We are truly grateful! Best is yet to come!”
There are many more examples throughout Idaho and if any young wrestler at the grassroots or high school levels has the dream of competing at the highest levels, it’s possible in the Gem State. The proof is in the results, wrestling culture, and number of wrestlers committing to or now competing at the next level (See diagram).
Below is a list of statistics featuring a combined number of individual state titles, state medals, national titles, All-American honors, Pan American and world level medals from each of the 14 boys and 10 girls committed to compete at the collegiate level in 2023. Additionally, I reviewed every college level roster from the five divisions and list all Idaho wrestlers that competed during the 2022 – ’23 season (via the National Wrestling Coaches Association site).
COLLEGE COMMITS (14 – BOYS DIVISION)
- Individual Idaho State Championships (All Divisions): 31
- Idaho State Medals (All Divisions): 43
- Individual National Championships: 23
- All-American honors: 60
- Pan American Championships: 2 Gold/1 Silver
- World Championships: 1 Gold/1 Bronze
COLLEGE COMMITS (10 – GIRLS DIVISION)
- Individual Idaho State Championships: 6
- Idaho State Medals: 23
- All-American honors: 5
2023 COLLEGE COMMITS (BOYS DIVISION)
- Aden Attao (Borah, 12), Oregon State (Division I)
- Kolter Burton (American Falls, 11), Oklahoma State (Division I)
- Tucker Bowen (Soda Springs, 11), University of Wyoming (Division I)
- Kayd Craig (Gooding, 12), Utah Valley University (Division I)
- Tanner Frothinger (Eagle, 12), University of Nebraska (Division I)
- Hunter Hobbs (South Fremont, 12), University of Providence (NAIA)
- Kellen Kolka (Meridian, 12), Umpqua Junior College (NJCAA)
- Jason Mara (Meridian, 11), Stanford University (Division I)
- Mack Mauger (Blackfoot, 11), University of Missouri (Division I)
- Dedrick Navarro (Nampa, 12), Northwestern University (Division I)
- Hudson Rogers (Meridian, 11), Oregon State (Division I)
- Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly, 11), Lehigh University (Division I)
- Isaiah Twait (Meridian, 12), Corban University (NAIA)
- Cade White (Meridian, 12), Oregon State (Division I)
2023 COLLEGE COMMITS (GIRLS DIVISION)
- Kadence Beck (Grangeville, 12), Eastern Oregon University (NAIA)
- Kiara Dixon (Meridian, 12), Simpson College, Iowa (NCAA Division III)
- Lauren Henderhan (Filer, 12), Hastings College, Nebraska (NAIA)
- Taylor Hood (Buhl, 12), Midland University, Nebraska (NAIA)
- Abby Piper (Post Falls, 12), William Woods University (NAIA)
- Alyssa Randles (Coeur d’ Alene, 12), University of Providence, Montana (NAIA)
- Sophie Sarver (Mountain View, 12), Life University (NAIA)
- Maria Sifuentes (Columbia, 12), Oklahoma City University (NAIA)
- Hallie Stone (Pocatello, 12), Dakota Wesleyan University, South Dakota (NAIA)
- Kayla Vail (Bonneville, 12), University of Providence, Montana (NAIA)
IDAHO WRESTLERS COMPETING AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL IN 2022-‘23
NCAA DIVISION I
125 – Kase Mauger – Utah Valley University, R-Fr. (Twin Falls HS)
125 – Kade Orr – Kent State University (Ohio), So. (Buhl HS)
133 – Christopher Martino – Princeton University (New Jersey), Fr. (Bishop Kelly HS)
149 – Sam Edelblute – Utah Valley University, R-So. (Lakeland HS)
149 – Ridge Lovett – University of Nebraska, Jr. (Post Falls HS) *ALL-AMERICAN
149 – Drew Roberts – University of Minnesota, R-Fr. (Coeur d’ Alene HS)
149 – Tyler Jones – Utah Valley University, Fr. (Rocky Mountain HS)
157 – Tayten Gillette – University of Northern Colorado, Fr. (Gooding HS)
157/165 – Brian Borden – Penn State, R-Fr. (Minico HS)
174 – Demetrius Romero – Utah Valley University, Gr. (Mountain View HS) *ALL-AMERICAN
174 – Derek Matthews – University of Northern Colorado, Fr. (Declo HS)
184 – Rylan Rogers – University of Michigan, Fr. (Coeur d’ Alene HS)
184 – Jonathon Fagen – Arizona State, R-Jr. (Fruitland HS)
184 – Canyon Mansfield – Arizona State, Fr. (Pocatello HS)
HWT – Charley Hastriter – Oregon State, So. (Capital HS)
NCAA DIVISION II
125 – Roddy Romero III – University of Mary (North Dakota), R-Fr. (Post Falls HS)
149 – Kaden Hine – Colorado Mesa University, R-So. (Rocky Mountain HS)
157 – Ryan Wilson – Western Colorado University, R-Jr. (Centennial HS)
157 – Braydon Huber – University of Mary (North Dakota), R-Jr. (Post Falls HS) *ALL-AMERICAN
157 – Peyton Ringling – Minnesota State Moorhead, Jr. (Jerome HS)
165 – Joe Watson – Western Colorado University, Fr. (Centennial HS)
165/174 – Anthony Castro – Minnesota State Moorhead, Sr. (Minico HS)
184 – Remington Winmill – Colorado State Univ. Pueblo, R-Fr. (Wendell HS)
197 – Kash Anderson – Colorado Mesa University, R-So. (Bishop Kelly HS) *ALL-AMERICAN
197 – Gable Watson – Western Colorado University, R-Fr. (Centennial HS)
285 – George Bolling – Northern State University (So. Dakota), Sr. (Orofino HS)
NAIA DIVISION
125 – Simon Graeber – Southern Oregon University, Fr. (Columbia HS)
133 – Kaden Ramos – Life University (Georgia), R-Fr. (Thunder Ridge HS)
133 – Kyle Rice – Grand View University (Iowa), Fr. (New Plymouth HS)
133 – Tristen Brown – Doane University (Nebraska), Fr. (Sugar-Salem HS)
141 – Luke Jensen – Corban University (Oregon), Fr. (Rocky Mountain HS)
141 – Joseph Rice – Missouri Valley College, Jr. (New Plymouth HS)
141 – Clancy Mummert – Ottawa University (Kansas), So. (Twin Falls HS)
141 – Derek Ramos – Southern Oregon University, Jr. (Idaho Falls HS)
141 – Andrew Choate – Southern Oregon University, Fr. (Columbia HS)
149/157 – Joel Campbell – Missouri Baptist, Fr. (New Plymouth HS)
157 – Cael Palmer – Grand View University (Iowa), Fr. (Kuna HS)
157 – Ethan Pannell – University of Rio Grande (Ohio), So. (Borah HS)
165 – Nolan Randles – Southern Oregon University, R-Fr. (Coeur d’ Alene HS)
165 – Brody Von Brethorst – Missouri Valley College, So. (Weiser HS)
165 – Payton Brooks – Life University (Georgia), Fr. (Rigby HS)
165/174 – Jacob Wallace – Friends University (Kansas), Fr. (Jerome HS)
197 – Afton Silvis – Menlo College (California), Sr. (Nampa HS)
197 – John White – Southern Oregon University, So. (Lakeland HS)
NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE (NJCAA)
125 – Sebastian Peterson – Southwestern Oregon Community College, Fr. (Borah HS)
125 – Avery McSpadden – Northwest College (Wyoming), So. (Post Falls HS)
133 – Jose Treyes – Northwest College (Wyoming), Fr. (Jerome HS)
141 – Carsen Jensen – Western Wyoming Community College, So. (Bonneville HS)
149 – Ryan Graves – North Idaho College, So. (Post Falls HS)
149 – Soren Sabatke – North Idaho College, Fr. (Lakeland HS)
141/149 – Cade Hernandez – Northwest Kansas Tech., Fr. (Meridian HS)
157 – Jett Nelson – Southwestern Oregon Community College , So. (Centennial HS)
157 – Ethan Coy – Western Wyoming Community College, Fr. (Kimberly HS)
157 – Blake Garcia – North Idaho College, So. (Payette HS)
157 – Lane Reardon – North Idaho College, Fr. (Post Falls HS)
157 – Riggin Stone – Snow College (Utah), So. (Eagle HS)
174 – Ethan Miller – North Idaho College, So. (Post Falls HS)
184 – Luke Arthur – Northeastern Junior College (Colorado), Fr. (Minico HS)
197 – Shai Murray – North Idaho College, Fr. (Capital HS)
197 – Isaiah Laguna – Ellsworth Community College (Iowa), So. (Post Falls HS)
285 – Matthew Boone – Western Wyoming Community College, Fr. (Idaho Falls HS)
NAIA DIVISION (WOMENS)
109 – Lita Cruz – Grand View University (Iowa), Fr. (Minico HS)
123 – Samara Lusk – Grand View University (Iowa), Jr. (American Falls HS)
123 – Kaci Bice – Life University (Georgia), Jr. (Borah HS)
136 – Marissa Jimenez – Oklahoma City College, Fr. (Caldwell HS)
143 – Kaydince Turner – Hastings (Nebraska), So. (Homedale HS)
143 – Liv Wieber – Eastern Oregon, Fr. (Eagle HS) *ALL-AMERICAN
143 – Brelane Huber – Campbellsville Univ. (Kentucky), Jr. (Post Falls HS)
191 – Karrah Smith – Southern Oregon, Jr. (Granite Falls HS)
NCAA DIVISION III (WOMENS)
130 – Halle White – North Central College (Illinois), So. (Eagle HS)
130 – Frankie Graham – Simpson College (Iowa), Fr. (Minico HS)
NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE - NJCAA (WOMENS)
136 – Kayli Acosta – Umpqua Community College (Oregon), So. (Borah HS)
143 – Kylie Hulse – Carl Albert State College (Oklahoma), Fr. (Grace HS) *ALL-AMERICAN
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