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Previous Hidden Gems Spotlights:
Jason Mara, Meridian
Matthew Martino, Bishop Kelly
Kolter Burton, American Falls
Daniel and Gabriel Rosales, Mountain Home
Manuel and Carlos Valdez, Bishop Kelly
Shilo Jones, Mountain View
Clare Waite, Boise
Talen Eck, Thunder Ridge
Bowen and Riley Brunson, Buhl
Aiden McGinnis, Mountain View
Joely Slyter, Lewiston
Tyson Barnhart, Post Falls
Amie Hartman, Mountain Home
Elise Twait, Meridian
The 33rd prep wrestler in my HIDDEN GEMS/TIER ONE series is Jeremiah “Gonzo” Gonzalez, a leader among his peers and teammates at state wrestling power Meridian High School in the Treasure Valley. Gonzo enters his final prep season rated among the top lightweights in the Gem State and as of this writing is ready to challenge for a third individual state title, fourth medal overall, and remains focused on exploring options to compete at the collegiate level.
Gonzo’s entry into the wrestling circle began at the age of thirteen while attending West Middle School in Nampa (Coaches Roy Perales and Nate Navarro), which at the time fielded a number of future Nampa High School standouts who went on to excel at the state and national levels. From the get-go, Gonzo made an immediate impact both on and off the mat and in time began to increase his love for wrestling and the challenges it presented. Regardless of Gonzo’s later start in wrestling (the average starting age of the 32 kids I have written about prior to is seven), it did not impede on his mat performance as he reached the finals at the District Middle School Championships (aka, Districts) in his first year on the mat.
The following season (7th grade), Gonzo continued to exhibit greater potential by winning a vast majority of his matches at local duals, placing third at the highly competitive Treasure Valley Championships, and in the end winning his first title at Districts. On top of that, he placed fourth at the Middle School Folkstyle State tournament, which in his weight group included future prep standouts, such as Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly), Ryker Vail (Bonneville), and Clark Petersen of Shelly to name a few.
Despite Gonzo’s early accomplishments, it was not set in stone whether he would make wrestling a fundamental part of his life or not. Life outside of school and wrestling had been in a state of uncertainty and flux for as long as he could remember. Not too long after winning districts, he moved to Nyssa, Oregon to complete the remainder of his seventh grade year. While in Nyssa, he remained active on the mat and wrestled for Coach Bobby Deleon for most of the off-season.
Prior to the start of Gonzo’s eighth grade year, life as he knew it completely changed course for the positive. It was at this time he was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Yanira and Rafael Gutierrez, which provided stability for his living situation and family life. This in turn helped him to focus more on his future.
Returning back to Idaho, Gonzo entered the eighth grade at Victory Middle School in Meridian. While at Victory, he continued his journey on the mat with a new focus. The foundation he had built since the sixth grade prepared him for the future years ahead. Not missing a beat, Gonzo moved forward and throughout the regular middle school season produced the results he had expected and for the second year in a row won the District Championships.
According to Gonzo, he entered the high school ranks at Meridian with the goal to win an Idaho state title and much more. The year prior to his freshman season, Meridian had won the school’s fifth state team title since Hall-of-Fame Coach Bruce Burnett lead the Warriors to four titles in the early to mid-1980s. As expected, Gonzo performed very well throughout the regular season and entered the post season ranked among the top contenders in the 106-pound weight division. Entering the Districts seeded number one, Gonzo registered three falls and a major decision to secure his first title. He continued his winning ways the following week at state with three more falls in the preliminary rounds, but fell short in the championship final to place runner-up.
Always moving forward, Gonzo continued training and competing in the off-season and at this point in his young mat career was more than determined to reach the top of the podium at the Idaho High School State Championships in the following years to come. As a result, he increased his commitment to train year round in addition to competing at more local, state, and national competitions. By summers end, he won the 16U Greco-Roman State Championships, placed third in Freestyle, and competed on Team Idaho at the prestigious US Fargo National Championships.
“Gonzo is second to none when it comes to being a fierce competitor. Off the mat, he is a hilarious and genuine person. We will never run out of awesome Gonzo stories.”
- John Muri, Meridian Assistant Coach
After a solid summer of training, competing, and preparing for the season ahead, Gonzo entered his sophomore year of high school rated among the top lightweights in the state. As he had trained hard for, Gonzo brought home his second district title and a week later achieved his goal of reaching the top of the podium at state. With a down-to-the-wire match victory in the 113-pound final, he anchored his team to their third state title since 2021 (school’s 7th overall). With minimal break between the prep post season and summer wrestling circuit, Gonzo hit the mat running and a month or so later added two additional state medals to his resume by placing third in both styles at the 16U Idaho State Championships and shortly thereafter earned his first All-American honor at the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals (16U).
At the completion of his fifth year on the mat, it was becoming extremely evident that the sport of wrestling had become an integral part of Gonzo’s life and much more. In fact, his eagerness to excel to the next level on the mat, the classroom, as well as his “lead by example” approach in life set him on course to meet any or all challenges in the future years to come in addition to inspiring others on his team to follow his lead. According to Stanford grad and assistant coach Dalton Young, “Jeremiah has truly evolved into a vocal leader over the course of his career. His ability to galvanize a group of people and interject energy into our room is unmatched. Not only does he create and foster meaningful relationships, but he brings out the best in everyone he interacts with. We’re lucky to have been a part of his journey.”
There’s the old saying, “get comfortable being uncomfortable,” and the Navy SEAL motto, “The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday,” which for anyone who has ever stepped into the wrestling “circle” realizes that from day one it’s not going to be easy and to move forward requires one to make a tough decision, embrace it or quit. Without a shadow of a doubt, Gonzo has embrassed these mottos and continues to improve in all aspects of his life.
With an individual state high school title and All-American honor under his belt, Gonzo entered his junior year with the goal of improving upon his previous performances and to take his skill sets to another level. In spite of placing fifth at the Rollie Lane Invitational during the early part of the season, Gonzo regrouped, moved forward, and stepped up his game a few weeks later by winning the Tiger-Grizz Invitational and then in the post season won his third district title by tie-breaker (4-2) over sophomore standout Vincent Contreras of Nampa.
A week later, Gonzo entered the state 113-pound weight group seeded number one, but understood that reaching the top of the podium for the second year in a row would not be an easy task. In any case, his hard work and commitment to reach the next level prepared him for these types of challenges. From start to finish of competition he wrestled hard and reached the championship finals untested. In the final, he faced Contreras for the second time in two weeks and in the end won by a very slim margin for title number two. On top of that, Gonzo added championship ring number three to his collection as Meridian won its historical eighth state team title since the first in 1983.
With very little rest, Gonzo got back to work and put his nose to the grindstone and prepared for the upcoming Folkstyle Nationals in Iowa and the summer circuit ahead. Fortunately, his hard work and commitment paid off as he placed third and earned his second prep level All-American honor in the Junior division.
Two-time Olympic decathlon gold medalist Daley Thompson once said, “In sport, if you want to be the best you have to compete against the best – I would much rather have come tenth and be judged against everyone than come first and judged against just a few.” When I observed that Gonzo had moved up a few weight groups at the 2024 Junior Freestyle and Greco State Championships to challenge himself against several of Idaho’s elite, the preceding quote came to mind. In fact, Gonzo moved up from 113s to 126s and placed fifth in one of the most highly competitive weight groups at the championships. This weight fielded several high school state champions and placers with multiple Fargo/Folkstyle All-American honors to their credit, which included Jaxton Packer (South Fremont), Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge), Boden Banta (South Fremont), and Rider Sequine of Post Falls.
After Junior Freestyle and Greco State, Gonzo continued his extensive training regimen at the Fighting Squirells Wrestling Club and by summers end he competed on Team Idaho at the Junior Duals (both styles) in Tulsa, Oklahoma and finished with a trip to the US Fargo Nationals.
As of this writing, Gonzo is about a month into his senior year and more than ready to challenge for a third Idaho State title. In the classroom, he currently maintains a grade point average of 3.3 with the goal of continuous improvement. His journey in life has been met with times of uncertainty and in some respects been in a state of flux, but all in all he is presently on a positive course to meet life’s challenges and much more. According to Head Coach Brad Muri, “Coaching Jeremiah has been a great privilege and one of the highlights of my coaching career. He has matured as a man and as a wrestler over the past 4 years. I speak for the entire Meridian coaching staff when I say Gonzo has become family to us. Additionally, he has been a great ambassador and leader for our program with his work ethic and the spirit that he brings to the program daily.”
Since moving to Idaho in 2020, I have had the opportunity to watch Gonzo on his journey to this point and want to wish him the best in the years to come. As stated to all wrestlers I have had the honor to write about, “FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!” Recently, I had the opportunity to conduct a face-to-face interview with Gonzo and his parents. We discussed his early beginings on the mat, academics, hobbies, college, and life beyond wrestling. Below is my Q&A with Gonzo. Enjoy!
Q&A INTERVIEW WITH JEREMIAH “GONZO” GONZALEZ
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – I first got involved in wrestling during my 6th-grade year with Nate Navarro and Roy Perales at West Middle School. Then, towards the end of my 7th-grade year, I moved to Nyssa and started to wrestle with Bobby Deleon.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN WRESTLING?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – I would say my biggest influence has been my coach, Brad Muri. He has been there through thick and thin, and I wouldn’t be the man I am today without him. I wouldn’t even be wrestling.
NOW THAT YOU’RE ENTERING YOUR SENIOR SEASON, WHAT ARE YOUR SHORT- AND LONG-TERM GOALS AT MERIDIAN?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – My short-term goal is to win Tri-State, Reno, and my third state title. My long-term goal is to win a folkstyle national title.
HAVING HAD SOME GREAT SUCCESS AT THIS POINT IN YOUR CAREER, DESCRIBE YOUR TRAINING ROUTINE AND YOUR OUTLOOK IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – Out of season, I wrestle 3-5 days a week, sometimes doubling up on practices, and I lift 5-6 times per week. In season, I work out twice a day but take Sundays off for my Lord and Savior.
DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC AND WRESTLING EXPERIENCE AT MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL.
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – It’s been a great experience. I am currently carrying a 3.3 cumulative GPA and wouldn’t want to be at any other school. I have the best coaching staff, consisting of many former Division I athletes and coaches who are willing to provide private lessons. My drill partners are the best in the state.
WHAT ARE YOUR ACADEMIC GOALS ENTERING YOUR SENIOR SEASON AND BEYOND?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – My academic goal is to maintain a GPA of 3.8 or higher.
DO YOU HAVE AMBITIONS OF COMPETING IN COLLEGE OR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – Yes, I do want to compete at the college level and aspire to be an All-American and a national champion.
IS THERE AN OLYMPIAN, COLLEGIATE LEVEL WRESTLER, COACH OR SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE SPORT OF WRESTLING THAT YOU WANT TO ASPIRE TO BE SOMEDAY?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – I would say someone who inspires me is Cary Kolat. I feel like he’s a wizard in the sport of wrestling. Another person I look up to is my aunt and uncle, Rafael and Yanira Gutierrez, who took me in and showed me what true family is. I wouldn’t be here without them.
WHAT LIFE LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED IN WRESTLING THAT APPLIES IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – If you wake up feeling sorry for yourself, you’re going to go to sleep feeling sorry for yourself.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNG WRESTLER WANTING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING OR IN LIFE?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – Something I would say to a young wrestler is to fall in love with doing hard things and learn to enjoy being uncomfortable because if you’re comfortable, you’re not doing something right.
WHAT OTHER GOALS DO YOU HAVE IN LIFE?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – Some goals I have in life are to own a plumbing business and to create my own family with a beautiful wife.
DO YOU HAVE A SAYING, MOTTO OR PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU LIVE BY?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – Proverbs 17:17: “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in a time of need.”
ONCE YOU ARE DONE COMPETING, DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO STAY INVOLVED WITH WRESTLING?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – Yes, I do. I plan on coming back to Meridian to coach with Brad Muri.
OUTSIDE THE SPORT OF WRESTLING, WHAT OTHER HOBBIES, SPORTS, AND FAMILY FUNCTIONS DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
JEREMIAH “Gonzo” – Some other activities I enjoy are camping and boating with friends and family. I think it’s a great way to disconnect from the grind of life.
ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC PROFILE
SCHOOL: Meridian High School (6A Division)
GRADE: 12th (Class of 2025)
WRESTLING CLUB: Fighting Squirells WC
PROJECTED WEIGHT: 120 (High School) / 125 (College)
ACADEMIC ACCOLADES: GPA – 3.3
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Wrestling, wrestling, wrestling…
WRESTLING ACCOLADES:
- USA Wrestling Junior Folkstyle ALL-AMERICAN (3rd), ’24
- Member of Team Idaho – Junior National Duals, ’24
- Idaho 5A State Champion, ’24
- IHSAA 5A District III Champion, ’24
- Tiger-Grizz Invitational Champion, ’24
- USA Wrestling 16U Folkstyle ALL-AMERICAN (6th), ’23
- Idaho 16U Freestyle State – 3rd Place, ’23
- Idaho 16U Greco-Roman State – 3rd Place, ’23
- Idaho 5A State Champion, ’23
- IHSAA District III Champion, ’23
- Idaho 16U Greco-Roman State Champion, ’22
- Idaho 16U Freestyle State – 3rd Place, ’22
- Idaho 5A State runner-up, ’22
- IHSAA 5A District III Champion, ’22
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