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ORDER GAME PHOTOS
The national publication Wrestling USA Magazine (WUSA) has been promoting wrestling at all levels and age groups since the early 1960s and to date is among the longest family operated publications (Bryant Family) still in existence. To my knowledge, only Amateur Wrestling News has been in circulation longer. Since 1968, WUSA has recognized the top high school seniors in the country by featuring All-American teams consisting of two categories; All-American (AA) and Honorable Mention All-American (HM). Beginning in 1976, WUSA added an additional category called the Dream Team, which featured the top ranked senior in each weight group. Then, a decade later added the Academic Team to promote the top tier academic wrestlers.
The first Idaho wrestler to be featured on an WUSA All-American team was Mark Bittick of Notus High School in 1971. Up to now, the Gem State has had 128 wrestlers selected for this great honor with several going on to do very well at the collegiate level. Leading this exceptional group includes Dream Team selections Chris Owens (Idaho Falls HS/Oklahoma St., 1988), Jared Lawrence (Sandpoint HS/Minnesota, 1998), Jake Rosholt (Sandpoint HS/Oklahoma St., 2001), Adam Hall (Bonners Ferry HS/Boise St., 2006), Clayton Foster (Kamiah HS/Oklahoma St., 2007), and Tanner Hall (Meridian HS/Arizona St., 2011). In addition, Travis Bell, an Academic All-American in 1988 for Highland High School went on to earn two collegiate level All-American honors for BYU-Idaho (JUCO) in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The Idaho seniors selected for the 2023 WUSA All-American Teams include TIER 1 wrestlers Aden Attao (Borah) and Tanner Frothinger of Eagle. Rated among the top prep heavyweight’s in the country, Attao is the sixth Idaho wrestler to be selected to the Academic All-American Team (Travis Bell of Highland was the first in 1988) and since first taking the mat at the young age of seven has had an exceptional career. For starters, he has not only won numerous state and regional competitions, in 2022 he earned the USA Triple Crown award by winning both styles at Fargo and another at the Folkstyle Nationals. Furthermore, Attao represented the United States in international competitions, winning the Gold at the Pan American Championships and a Bronze medal at the U20 World Greco-Roman Championships in Bulgaria. A two-time Idaho State Champion, Attao is committed to Oregon State University and will once again represent the United States at the U20 Pan American Championships scheduled for July 6-9 in Santiago, Chile.
The next Idaho wrestler to receive this great honor (HM All-American) is four-time state finalist Tanner Frothinger of Eagle High School. Rated among the top light middleweight’s in the country, Frothinger has also accumulated quite an impressive wrestling resume. Since his early beginnings at the youth level, Frothinger has earned multiple state titles in age group competitions in Freestyle and Greco-Roman. Additionally, he has earned All-American honors at Fargo, Folkstyle Nationals (2x), and placed twice at the United World Wrestling (UWW) Cadet World Team Trials. A three-time state champion in the 5A division, Frothinger is committed to compete for the University of Nebraska this coming academic year.
On average, the Gem State has had approximately two to three wrestlers selected each year. The highest number of All-Americans selected in a season is six (aka, The Club of Six), which has happened only five times since the early 2000s.
THE CLUB OF SIX
2021
Drew Roberts – Coeur d’ Alene (AA)
Michael Mitchell – Kuna (HM AA)
Lane Reardon – Post Falls (HM AA)
Preston Owens – Kuna (HM AA)
Dante Roggio – Kuna (HM AA)
Charley Hastritter – Capital (HM AA)
2018
Darrick Stacy – Shelley (HM AA)
William Edelblute – Lakeland (HM AA)
Caleb Call – Shelley (HM AA)
Larry Johnson – Lakeland (HM AA)
Braxton Balmforth – Shelley (HM AA)
Konnor Cordingly – Highland (HM AA)
2006
Adam Hall – Bonners Ferry (DREAM TEAM)
Shawn Jones – Snake River (AA)
Dylan Whitling – Skyview (HM AA)
Brandon Palaniuk – Lakeland (HM AA)
Jared Leuzinger – Challis (HM AA)
Derek Mestrovich – Skyview (HM AA)
2005
Luke Smith – Idaho Falls (AA)
Daniel Erekson – Eagle (HM AA)
Jayson John – Idaho Falls (HM AA)
Justin Gardner – Bonneville (HM AA)
Sean Conner – Skyline (HM AA)
Vance Beeson – Eagle (HM AA)
2003
Andy Patrick – Meridian (AA)
Jordan Johns – Aberdeen (HM AA)
Clint Leonard – Lakeland (HM AA)
Dillon Brower – Challis (HM AA)
Paul Ricks – Skyline (HM AA)
Tad Berry – Challis (HM AA)
Since the first All-Americans selected in 1968, Idaho Falls High School has produced the most All-Americans from the state of Idaho with twelve, followed by Meridian and Post Falls, each with eight. The following highlights these programs in addition to schools producing five or more All-Americans.
IDAHO FALLS (12)
Josh Warner – HM, 2009
Luke Smith – AA, 2005
Jason John – HM, 2005
Matt Hodges – HM, 2002
Chris King – AA, 1999
Torry Taylor – HM, 1999
Shane Hanson – ACADEMIC TEAM, 1993
Jeff Gardnier – HM, 1989
Chris Owens – DREAM TEAM, 1988
Scott Davis – HM, 1986
Russell Hall – HM, 1983
Sam Orme – HM, 1973
MERIDIAN (8)
Tanner Hall – DREAM TEAM, 2011
Andy Patrick – AA, 2003
Fred Bartlett – AA, 1999
Joseph Corral – HM, 1999
Robert Ho – ACADEMIC TEAM, 1990
Jon Watson – HM, 1987
Chris Pratt – HM, 1986
Sean Moon – HM, 1984
POST FALLS (8)
Lane Reardon – HM, 2021
Ridge Lovett – AA, 2019
Alius De La Rosa – HM, 2016
T.J. Wolf – HM, 2016
Drake Foster – AA, 2015
Seth McLeod – AA, 2015
Tyler Booth – HM, 2012
James Ost – HM, 2012
OTHER IDAHO HIGH SCHOOLS (5 or more AAs)
Centennial (6)
Lakeland (6)
Columbia (5)
Kuna (5)
Highland (5)
Pocatello (5)
In summary, the Gem State has represented well in the last several decades. Since the first Idahoan, Mark Bittick (Notus HS) was selected in 1971, Idaho has had 128 wrestlers selected for this great honor. I want to extend my congratulations to Aden Attao and Tanner Frothinger for being the Gem State’s most recent seniors to be selected for this prestigious group. To date, Idaho Falls High School leads the state with twelve All-Americans followed by state powers Meridian and Post Falls totaling eight.
I also want to give a “BIG THANK YOU” to the Bryant Family and Dan Fickel for their hard work and commitment to making this annual All-American feature a possibility for all these years. Their extensive efforts to put this project together is greatly appreciated and to date has done so much for the promotion of prep wrestling across the country.
To be considered for the WUSA All-American teams requires a coach to submit a nomination form (Seniors only) after the state meet of a wrestler’s senior season (via WUSA Magazine subscription or online). Below is a list of All-Americans from Idaho dating back to 1971.
DREAM TEAM
Tanner Hall – Meridian, 2011*
Clayton Foster – Kamiah, 2007*
Adam Hall – Bonners Ferry, 2006*
Jake Rosholt – Sandpoint, 2001*
Jared Lawrence – Sandpoint, 1998*
Chris Owens – Idaho Falls, 1988*
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
Aden Attao – Borah, 2023
Lex Case – North Fremont, 2000
Shane Hanson – Idaho Falls, 1993
Gary Johnson – Pocatello, 1992
Robert Ho – Meridian, 1990
Travis Bell – Highland, 1988*
ALL-AMERICANS
Derek Matthews – Declo, 2022
Rylan Rogers – Coeur d’ Alene, 2022
Nico Rodriguez – Columbia, 2022
Drew Roberts – Coeur d’ Alene, 2021
Kase Mauger – Twin Falls, 2020
Ridge Lovett – Post Falls, 2019*
Jonathan Fagen – Fruitland, 2019
Casey Randles – Coeur d’ Alene, 2017*
Tucker Leavitt – Highland, 2016
Drake Foster – Post Falls, 2015
Bryce Parson – Lewiston, 2015
Seth McLeod – Post Falls, 2015
Michael Cook – Kuna, 2014
Hayden Tuma – Centennial, 2014
Blaine Invernon – Bonners Ferry, 2013
Jared Johnshoy – Melba, 2013
Colby Kloetzer – Caldwell, 2011
Taylor West – Borah, 2011
Trevor Rupp – Pocatello, 2010
Jacob Scharbrough – Weiser, 2008
Joey Fio – Sandpoint, 2007
Kirk Smith – Centennial, 2007*
Shawn Jones – Snake River, 2006
Luke Smith – Idaho Falls, 2005
Nick Smith – Centennial, 2004
Andy Patrick – Meridian, 2003
Brock Zollinger – Sugar-Salem, 2002
Tony Hook – Sandpoint, 2002
Clint Wolfley – Snake River, 2000
Fred Bartlett – Meridian, 1999
Chris King – Idaho Falls, 1999
James Huml – Sugar-Salem, 1998
Zane Jones – Skyline, 1981
Cordel Anderson – Preston, 1980*
ALL-AMERICANS (HONORABLE MENTION)
Tanner Frothinger – Eagle, 2023
Michael Mitchell – Kuna, 2021
Lane Reardon – Post Falls, 2021
Preston Owens – Kuna, 2021
Dante Roggio – Kuna, 2021
Charley Hastritter – Capital, 2021
Angel Rios -- Columbia, 2020
Kenneth Copley -- Sugar-Salem, 2020
Sam Edelblute – Lakeland, 2019
Ezekial Williamson – Jerome, 2019
Darrick Stacy – Shelley, 2018
William Edelblute – Lakeland, 2018
Caleb Call – Shelley, 2018
Larry Johnson – Lakeland, 2018
Braxton Balmforth – Shelley, 2018
Konnor Cordingly – Highland, 2018
Sammy Eckhart -- Fruitland, 2017
Jaron Chavez -- Centennial, 2017
Brandon Kipper -- Columbia, 2017
Levi Austin -- New Plymouth, 2016
T.J. Wolf -- Post Falls, 2016
Alius DeLaRosa -- Post Falls, 2016
Jared Bird -- Bonneville, 2016
Blake Ivie -- Kellogg, 2015
Casey Cobb – Kuna, 2014
Tristan Jarboe – Columbia, 2014
Jon Jay Chavez – Centennial, 2014*
Tim McDonald -- Columbia, 2013
Ray Evans -- New Plymouth, 2012
James Ost -- Post Falls H, 2012
Tyler Booth -- Post Falls, 2012
Casey George -- Lewiston, 2011
V.J. Giulio -- American Falls, 2011
Holden Packard -- Mountain View, 2010
Brandon Richardson -- Lakeland, 2010
Luke Weaver -- Salmon, 2010
Josh Warner -- Idaho Falls, 2009
Spence Patrick -- Mountain View, 2008
Avery Garner – Centennial, 2007
Dylan Whitling – Skyview, 2006
Brandon Palaniuk – Lakeland, 2006
Jared Leuzinger – Challis, 2006
Derek Mestrovich – Skyview, 2006*
Vance Beeson – Eagle, 2005*
Sean Conner – Skyline, 2005
Justin Gardner – Bonneville, 2005
Jayson John – Idaho Falls, 2005
Daniel Erekson – Eagle, 2005*
Jordan Johns – Aberdeen, 2003
Clint Leonard – Lakeland, 2003
Dillon Brower – Challis, 2003
Paul Ricks – Skyline, 2003
Tad Berry – Challis, 2003
Mike Wilding – Highland, 2002
Matt Hodges – Idaho Falls, 2002
Drew Dickerson – Weiser, 2001
Stacey Mello – McCall-Donnelly, 2001
Greg Holman – Sugar-Salem, 2000
Travis Jacobson – Blackfoot, 2000
Joseph Corral – Meridian, 1999
Jonathan Padgett – Fruitland, 1999
Torry Taylor – Idaho Falls, 1999
Jedediah Clacke – Pocatello, 1998
Matt Cobb – Weiser, 1998*
Craig Van Sickle – Highland, 1995
Jeff Gardnier – Idaho Falls, 1989
Ryan Nash – Homedale, 1988
John Andrews – Wallace, 1987
Jon Watson – Meridian, 1987
Breck Crystal – Skyline, 1986
Scott Davis – Idaho Falls, 1986
Chris Pratt – Meridian, 1986
Sean Moon – Meridian, 1984
Russell Hall – Idaho Falls, 1983
Stan Armstrong – Pocatello, 1981
Tom Hugie – Blackfoot, 1980
Creed Ricks – Rexburg, 1980
Darby Lewis – Boise, 1979
Clayton Armstrong – Pocatello, 1978
Sam Orme – Idaho Falls, 1973*
Mark Bittick – Notus , 1971
*COLLEGIATE LEVEL ALL-AMERICAN
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