ORDER GAME PHOTOS

The 2024 Idaho State Championships in the 3A division was a great tournament to watch this year. This year’s 3A division crowned one 3x State Champions, six 2x Champions, and nine more earned their first respective title. Additionally, a total of forty-one wrestlers earned two or more career medals during their prep careers. The team title between 3A powers Fruitland and Buhl was secured early on and did not disappoint.

The 3A produced a large contingent of wrestlers with two or more state titles, placings, and All-American honor to their credit. Joining the 3x State Champions Club was multiple All-American Boden Banta of South Fremont. Only a junior, Banta is now in position to earn a possible rare fourth state title. Earning their second state titles include Buhl’s Riley Brunson and All-Americans Kaden MacKenzie (Fruitland) Ryker Gibson (Marsh Valley), Nathan Gugelman II (American Falls), and Ryker Fullmer of Teton.

A total of nine wrestlers earned their first individual state title this year. They include Fruitland’s Braden Griffith, Trevor Paynter (Homedale), Kelton Reynolds (Snake River), Mason Aiken (American Falls), Kash Cobb (Weiser), Buhl duo Gabe Finley and Isaac Finley, Quinn Hood (Fruitland), and 4x placer and All-American Jaxton Packer of South Fremont, who is committed to compete for the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota.

A total of forty-one wrestlers earned between two to four state medals this year. Joining the 4x State Placer Club with Jaxton Packer and Ryker Fullmer is Payette’s Tyler Freeley, a 2x state finalist. The list of 3x state placers reached a total of twenty-two this year, all of which have reached the state finals in their respective prep careers. They includes Coye Coffman (Fruitland), Kole Dahlke (Marsh Valley), Kaleb Grove (Weiser), Jace Leavitt (Snake River), All-American Koy Orr (Filer), and 2023 State Champions Max Clark of South Fremont and Max Atchely (Teton). Furthermore, sixteen wrestlers earned a second state medal, which includes a finals appearance in Wyatt Carey (Timberlake), Marcus Aleman (Fruitland), and Buhl’s Ryder Sheen (Buhl) and Oakley Tennant.

In the team race, Fruitland was the pre-tournament favorite with Buhl expected to give them a run for their money. At the end of day one, it was not difficult to surmise that Fruitland was going to be the team of the 3A. Without question, Fruitland dominated the field producing three individual champions and seventeen placers overall. On top of that, they broke the previous 3A scoring record of 309.5 held South Fremont (2023) by scoring 318 points. Historically, this is Fruitland’s second team title as they won it in 2014 with 5 individual champions and eleven placers overall. Finishing in second and third place respectively, Buhl produced 3 champions with nine placers while American Falls came home with two champions and eight placers overall. Defending State Champions South Fremont battled hard throughout and finished in fourth with two champions and six placers. Overall, a great showing by the teams in the 3A.

Taking a closer look at the 3A state results, I list all 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: 7 (8%)

Returning Placers – Did not place: 7

School w/Most State Placers – Fruitland (District III): 17

District w/Most State Placers – District III: 33

GRADE STATISTICS

Frosh. State Placers: 13 (14%)

Soph. State Placers: 13 (14%)

Junior State Placers: 30 (33%)

Senior State Placers: 34 (38%)

Frosh. State Champions: 1 (7%)

Soph. State Champions: 2 (13%)

Junior State Champions: 7 (47%)

Senior State Champions: 5 (33%)

SEEDING STATISTICS

No. 1 seeds placing 1^st: 13 (87%)

No. 2 seeds placing 2^nd: 5 (33%)

No. 3 seeds placing 3^rd: 5 (33%)

No. 4 seeds placing 4^th: 4 (27%)

No. 5 seeds placing 5^th: 1 (7%)

No. 6 seeds placing 6^th: 1 (7%)

State Placers – Top 6 seeds: 71 (79%)

State Placers – 7^th/8^th seeds: 8 (27%)

State Placers – Non-Seeded (NS): 11 (12%)

TOP FIVE TEAM SCORES

1. Fruitland: 318.0 (3 Champions/17 Placers) *

2. Buhl: 235.0 (3 Champions/9 Placers)

3. American Falls: 190.0 (2 Champions/8 Placers)

4. South Fremont: 176.0 (2 Champions/6 Placers)

5. Snake River: 149.5 (1 Champion/7 Placers)

*NEW STATE RECORD

INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONS

98 – Braden Griffith (Fruitland, 11)

106 – Trevor Paynter (Homedale, 11)

113 – Kelton Reynolds (Snake River, 10)

120 – Boden Banta (South Fremont, 11) 3x

126 – Jaxton Packer (South Fremont, 12)

132 – Nathan Gugelman II (American Falls, 11) 2x

138 – Mason Aiken (American Falls, 11)

145 – Riley Brunson (Buhl, 12) 2x

152 – Kaden MacKenzie (Fruitland, 11) 2x

160 – Ryker Gibson (Marsh Valley, 12) 2x

170 – Ryker Fullmer (Teton, 12) 2x

182 – Kash Cobb (Weiser, 11)

195 – Gabe Finley (Buhl, 11)

220 – Quinn Hood (Fruitland, 11)

285 – Isaac Finley (Buhl, 12)

3X STATE CHAMPIONS (1)

Boden Banta (South Fremont, 11)

2X STATE CHAMPIONS (6)

Riley Brunson (Buhl, 12)

Bowen Brunson (Buhl, 12)

Nathan Gugelman II (American Falls, 10)

Kaden MacKenzie (Fruitland, 11)

Ryker Gibson (Marsh Valley, 12)

Ryker Fullmer (Teton, 12)

4X STATE PLACERS (3)

Jaxton Packer (South Fremont, 12), 2^nd, 3^rd, 2^nd, 1^st

Ryker Fullmer (Teton, 12), 6^th, 2^nd, 1^st, 1^st

Tyler Freeley (Payette, 12), 2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th, 2^nd

3X STATE PLACERS (22)

Riley Brunson (Buhl, 12), 1^st, 2^nd, 1^st

Bowen Brunson (Buhl, 12), 1^st, 1^st, 2^nd

Max Clark (South Fremont, 12), 2^nd, 1^st, 3^rd

Boden Banta (South Fremont, 11), 1^st, 1^st, 1^st

Mason Aiken (American Falls, 11), 4^th, 2^nd, 1^st

Max Atchely (Teton, 12), 6^th, 1^st, 4^th

Kaden MacKenzie (Fruitland, 11), 2^nd, 1^st, 1^st

Tygren Lopez (Fruitland), 1^st., 4^th (5A – Oregon), 6^th

Max Wescott (Fruitland, 12), 4^th, 5^th, 5^th

Braden Griffith (Fruitland, 11), 6^th, 4^th, 1^st

Coye Coffman (Fruitland, 11), 6^th, 4^th, 2^nd

Ryker Gibson (Marsh Valley, 12), 3^rd, 1^st, 1^st

Rocky Morris (Marsh Valley, 12), 3^rd, 6^th, 5^th

Kole Dahlke (Marsh Valley, 12), 3^rd, 6^th, 2^nd

Koy Orr (Filer, 11), 2^nd, 3^rd, 2^nd

Matthew Daniels (McCall-Donnley, 12), 5^th, 2^nd, 3^rd

Adam Rushton (McCall-Donnley, 12), 5^th, 3^rd, 4^th

Kaleb Grove (Weiser, 12), 6^th, 2^nd, 2^nd

Jaden Lerwill (Sugar-Salem, 12), 6^th, 3^rd, 6^th

Blake Koyle (Gooding, 11), 4^th, 5^th, 3^rd

Dax Wood (Sugar-Salem, 12), 6^th, 4^th, 3^rd

Jace Leavitt (Snake River, 11), 5^th, 5^th, 2^nd

2X STATE PLACERS (16)

Wyatt Carey (Timberlake, 10), 3^rd, 2^nd

Max Banta (Sugar-Salem, 11), 6^th, 4^th

McKay Stocking (Sugar-Salem, 12), 6^th, 4^th

Marcus Aleman (Fruitland, 10), 2^nd, 3^rd

Charlie Nevarez (Weiser, 10), 5^th, 5^th

Brian Benson (Snake River, 11), 3^rd, 3^rd

Fabian Avalos (American Falls, 11), 3^rd, 4^th

Collin Robinson (Buhl, 12), 5^th, 4^th

Stockton Young (Weiser, 11), 6^th, 4^th

Raiden Whitmore (South Fremont, 12), 4^th, 4^th

Kash Cobb (Weiser, 11), 5^th, 1^st

Ryder Sheen (Buhl, 11), 4^th, 2^nd

Oakley Tennant (Buhl, 12), 6^th, 2^nd

Quinn Hood (Fruitland, 11), 2^nd, 1^st

Luke Schell (Timberlake, 12), 4^th, 5^th

Gabe Finley (Buhl, 11), 4^th, 1^st

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (TOP 6)

DIVISION WEIGHT

Place – Name (School, Grade) #seed

3A 98

1 - Braden Griffith (Fruitland, 11) #1

2 - Chance Povey (American Falls, 10) #3

3 - Gage Reynolds (Snake River, 9) #4

4 - Hunter Solomon (Marsh Valley, 9) #8

5 - Sawyer Huston (Timberlake, 10) #2

6 - Wyatt Black (Weiser, 9) #7

1st Place Match

Braden Griffith (Fruitland) 35-13, Jr. over Chance Povey (American Falls) 34-19, So. (Dec 6-3)

3rd Place Match

Gage Reynolds (Snake River) 32-22, Fr. over Hunter Solomon (Marsh Valley) 33-19, Fr. (Dec 7-0)

5th Place Match

Sawyer Huston (Timberlake) 35-16, So. over Wyatt Black (Weiser) 26-24, Fr. (MD 10-2)

3A 106

1 - Trevor Paynter (Homedale, 9) #1

2 - Wyatt Carey of Timberlake, 10) #3

3 - Francisco Burrola (American Falls, 11) NS

4 - Max Banta (Sugar-Salem, 11) #5

5 - Wylie Baler (Teton, 9) #4

6 - Wyatt Griffith (Fruitland, 9) #7

1st Place Match

Trevor Paynter (Homedale) 40-3, Fr. over Wyatt Carey (Timberlake) 45-9, So. (Fall 5:52)

3rd Place Match

Francisco Burrola (American Falls) 39-18, Jr. over Max Banta (Sugar-Salem) 44-21, Jr. (Fall 0:51)

5th Place Match

Wylie Baler (Teton) 33-14, Fr. over Wyatt Griffith (Fruitland) 34-16, Fr. (Inj. 1:28)

3A 113

1 - Kelton Reynolds (Snake River, 10) #1

2 - Kysen Mackenzie (Fruitland, 9) #2

3 - Blake Koyle (Gooding, 11) #4

4 - McKay Stocking (Sugar-Salem, 12) #3

5 - Jed Townsend (Marsh Valley, 10) #6

6 - Jacob Rade (Timberlake, 9) #5

1st Place Match

Kelton Reynolds (Snake River) 46-7, So. over Kysen Mackenzie (Fruitland) 43-11, Fr. (Dec 4-3)

3rd Place Match

Blake Koyle (Gooding) 25-21, Jr. over McKay Stocking (Sugar-Salem) 46-11, Sr. (Fall 4:42)

5th Place Match

Jed Townsend (Marsh Valley) 34-18, So. over Jacob Rade (Timberlake) 22-15, Fr. (Dec 6-2)

3A 120

1 - Boden Banta (South Fremont, 11) #1 (All-American)

2 - Jace Leavitt (Snake River, 11) #3

3 - Marcus Aleman (Fruitland, 10) #2

4 - Evan Simms (American Falls, 10) #4

5 - Charlie Nevarez (Weiser, 10) #7

6 - Jaden Lerwill (Sugar-Salem, 12) NS

1st Place Match

Boden Banta (South Fremont) 50-5, Jr. over Jace Leavitt (Snake River) 46-7, Jr. (Dec 7-4)

3rd Place Match

Marcus Aleman (Fruitland) 58-7, So. over Evan Simms (American Falls) 43-11, So. (M. For.)

5th Place Match

Charlie Nevarez (Weiser) 41-14, So. over Jaden Lerwill (Sugar-Salem) 39-21, Sr. (MD 12-3)

3A 126

1 - Jaxton Packer (South Fremont, 12) #1 (All-American)

2 - Raidyn Pugsley (Buhl, 9) #3

3 - Brian Bensen (Snake River, 11) #4

4 - Ty Webster (Fruitland, 12) NS

5 - Weston Black (Weiser, 11) NS

6 - Tygren Lopez (Fruitland, 12) #6

1st Place Match

Jaxton Packer (South Fremont) 50-3, Sr. over Raidyn Pugsley (Buhl) 51-6, Fr. (Dec 4-1)

3rd Place Match

Brian Bensen (Snake River) 42-10, Jr. over Ty Webster (Fruitland) 31-13, Sr. (Dec 7-2)

5th Place Match

Weston Black (Weiser) 32-14, Jr. over Tygren Lopez (Fruitland) 16-5, Sr. (DQ)

3A 132

1 - Nathan Gugelman II (American Falls, 10) #1 (All-American)

2 - Koy Orr (Filer, 11) #2 (All-American)

3 - Trey McFarlane (Homedale, 10) #3

4 - Max Atchley (Teton, 12) #4

5 - Max Wescott (Fruitland, 12) #6

6 - Clancy Harris (Marsh Valley, 11) NS

1st Place Match

Nathan Gugelman II (American Falls) 27-1, So. over Koy Orr (Filer) 39-5, Jr. (Inj. 0:54)

3rd Place Match

Trey McFarlane (Homedale) 46-9, So. over Max Atchley (Teton) 19-5, Sr. (Dec 8-6)

5th Place Match

Max Wescott (Fruitland) 37-18, Sr. over Clancy Harris (Marsh Valley) 29-28, Jr. (SV-1 5-3)

3A 138

1 - Mason Aiken (American Falls, 11) #2

2 - Coye Coffman (Fruitland, 11) #1

3 - Wade Williams (American Falls, 10) #6

4 - Collin Robinson (Buhl, 12) #3

5 - Rocky Morris (Marsh Valley, 12) #5

6 - Nathaniel Martinez (Fruitland, 11) #4

1st Place Match

Mason Aiken (American Falls) 53-5, Jr. over Coye Coffman (Fruitland) 44-7, Jr. (Dec 3-2)

3rd Place Match

Wade Williams (American Falls) 35-9, So. over Collin Robinson (Buhl) 51-8, Sr. (Dec 1-0)

5th Place Match

Rocky Morris (Marsh Valley) 42-13, Sr. over Nathaniel Martinez (Fruitland) 38-16, Jr. (Dec 9-8)

3A 145

1 - Riley Brunson (Buhl, 12) #1

2 - Fabi Pierce (Buhl, 10) #6

3 - Gunner Johnson (Marsh Valley, 11) #3

4 - Fabian Avalos (American Falls, 11) #2

5 - Kace Fullmer (Teton, 9) #4

6 - Jake Swann (Fruitland, 11) #8

1st Place Match

Riley Brunson (Buhl) 53-1, Sr. over Fabi Pierce (Buhl) 47-6, So. (Dec 8-1)

3rd Place Match

Gunner Johnson (Marsh Valley) 47-10, Jr. over Fabian Avalos` (American Falls) 53-9, Jr. (Dec 6-0)

5th Place Match

Kace Fullmer (Teton) 36-11, Fr. over Jake Swann (Fruitland) 35-22, Jr. (Fall 2:08)

3A 152

1 - Kaden MacKenzie (Fruitland, 11) #1 (All-American)

2 - Kole Dahlke (Marsh Valley, 12) #2

3 - Luke Sarich (Weiser, 11) #4

4 - Stockton Young (Weiser, 11) #5

5 - Clancy Howell (Snake River, 10) #6

6 - KJ Parsons (Fruitland, 11) NS

1st Place Match

Kaden MacKenzie (Fruitland) 49-6, Jr. over Kole Dahlke (Marsh Valley) 47-9, Sr. (MD 12-1)

3rd Place Match

Luke Sarich (Weiser) 45-12, Jr. over Stockton Young (Weiser) 35-20, Jr. (Dec 8-1)

5th Place Match

Clancy Howell (Snake River) 27-15, So. over KJ Parsons (Fruitland) 26-13, Jr. (M. For.)

3A 160

1 - Ryker Gibson (Marsh Valley, 12) #1 (All-American)

2 - Tyler Feeley (Payette, 12) #6

3 - Matthew Daniels (McCall-Donnelly, 12) #2

4 - Raiden Whitmore (South Fremont, 12) #3

5 - Andrew Marston (Homedale, 12) NS

6 - Lucas Williams (Kimberly, 11) #4

1st Place Match

Ryker Gibson (Marsh Valley) 52-2, Sr. over Tyler Feeley (Payette) 32-5, Sr. (MD 19-5)

3rd Place Match

Matthew Daniels (McCall-Donnelly) 26-3, Sr. over Raiden Whitmore (So. Fremont) 21-8, Sr. (Fall 0:55)

5th Place Match

Andrew Marston (Homedale) 23-25, Sr. over Lucas Williams (Kimberly) 31-9, Jr. (For.)

3A 170

1 - Ryker Fullmer (Teton, 12) #1 (All-American)

2 - Oakley Tennant (Buhl, 12) #3

3 - Dax Wood (Sugar-Salem, 12) #5

4 - Jonathan Hansen (Timberlake, 11) #4

5 - TJ Leonard (McCall-Donnelly, 12) NS

6 - Abraham Marquez (Fruitland, 12) #2

1st Place Match

Ryker Fullmer (Teton) 42-0, Sr. over Oakley Tennant (Buhl) 51-8, Sr. (TF-1.5 5:14, 26-11)

3rd Place Match

Dax Wood (Sugar-Salem) 52-9, Sr. over Jonathan Hansen (Timberlake) 36-10, Jr. (Dec 4-2)

5th Place Match

TJ Leonard (McCall-Donnelly) 20-8, Sr. over Abraham Marquez (Fruitland) 43-22, Sr. (Dec 4-1)

3A 182

1 - Kash Cobb (Weiser, 11) #1

2 - Ryder Sheen (Buhl, 11) #2

3 - Blaise Turner (American Falls, 9) #3

4 - Adam Rushton (McCall-Donnelly, 12) #6

5 - Luke Schell (Timberlake, 12) #4

6 - Zay Anderton (Snake River, 12) NS

1st Place Match

Kash Cobb (Weiser) 52-5, Jr. over Ryder Sheen (Buhl) 53-6, Jr. (Dec 7-2)

3rd Place Match

Blaise Turner (American Falls) 53-6, Fr. over Adam Rushton (McCall-Donnelly) 32-8, Sr. (Fall 4:54)

5th Place Match

Luke Schell (Timberlake) 36-11, Sr. over Zay Anderton (Snake River) 24-8, Sr. (Dec 9-3)

3A 195

1 - Gabe Finley (Buhl, 11) #1

2 - McGregor Miller (South Fremont, 9) #3

3 - Will Phillips (Fruitland, 11) #2

4 - Jaksen Hatch (Teton, 12) #7

5 - Raymond Florez (Fruitland, 11) NS

6 - Bridger Barney (Snake River, 12) #5

1st Place Match

Gabe Finley (Buhl) 54-0, Jr. over McGregor Miller (South Fremont) 42-10, Fr. (MD 13-3)

3rd Place Match

Will Phillips (Fruitland) 42-16, Jr. over Jaksen Hatch (Teton) 14-15, Sr. (Fall 2:49)

5th Place Match

Raymond Florez (Fruitland) 29-20, Jr. over Bridger Barney (Snake River) 17-28, Sr. (Fall 2:00)

3A 220

1 - Quinn Hood (Fruitland, 11) #1

2 - Kaleb Grove (Weiser, 12) #2

3 - Max Clark (South Fremont, 12) #3

4 - Brodie White (Homedale, 12) #4

5 - Garret Theurer (Buhl, 12) #7

6 - Robbie McCashland (Teton, 12) #8

1st Place Match

Quinn Hood (Fruitland) 49-7, Jr. over Kaleb Grove (Weiser) 29-5, Sr. (Dec 7-4)

3rd Place Match

Max Clark (South Fremont) 42-6, Sr. over Brodie White (Homedale) 40-13, Sr. (MD 12-3)

5th Place Match

Garret Theurer (Buhl) 42-9, Sr. over Robbie McCashland (Teton) 28-12, Sr. (Fall 1:21)

3A 285

1 - Isaac Finley (Buhl, 12) #2

2 - Zach Moss (Teton, 11) #1

3 - Neilsen Glascock (South Fremont, 12) #3

4 - Taylor Dodd (Bonners Ferry, 9) #5

5 - Joel Zamora (Fruitland, 12) #4

6 - Finnigan Moon (McCall-Donnelly, 11) NS

1st Place Match

Isaac Finley (Buhl) 19-3, Sr. over Zach Moss (Teton) 36-4, Jr. (Fall 5:13)

3rd Place Match

Neilsen Glascock (South Fremont) 41-10, Sr. over Taylor Dodd (Bonners Ferry) 33-13, Fr. (Fall 0:29)

5th Place Match

Joel Zamora (Fruitland) 40-20, Sr. over Finnigan Moon (McCall-Donnelly) 29-18, Jr. (SV-1 3-1)