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The next wrestler in my HIDDEN GEMS/TIER ONE series is Wallace “Wally” Durfee of Declo High School (298 students). Wally enters the 2024-’25 season rated among the top lightweights in the state of Idaho and is in position to challenge for a third state title, fourth medal overall, as well as finish his prep career among the best of the best to come out of Declo and Idaho.
Before I focus my attention on Wally’s wrestling journey, I want to highlight an interesting fact about his hometown. With a population of approximately 360, the rural town of Declo is only a short distance from the well-known Snake River and nestled in the rich farmlands of Southern Idaho. According to historical records, Declo was originally named Marshfield, but in 1916 the small community was provided the opportunity to rename the town. At the request of the newly established Central Post Office, the change of name was not to exceed five letters. Subsequently, the final name was determined by using the last initials of the first five men to set foot in the post office. Thus, the names August Detlef, George Eldredge, Hyrum Lewis, James Cooley, and Carl Osterhout were the first to enter. In the end, it was preferred to name the town Declo over Delco.
Wally’s entry into the wrestling circle began at the young age of five when he followed his older brother to practice. His interest in the sport of wrestling immediately took hold and continued to increase on an upward trajectory from that point forward and today is a major part of his life.
Early on in Wally’s mat career, he made great strides at both the state and national levels. For starters, he earned a Folkstyle national title in the 12U division, two age group Folkstyle All-American honors, and prior to high school won the Idaho Middle School State Championships.
By the time Wally reached the prep ranks at Declo High School, he had already accumulated several years of mat experience and his share of impressive accolades. From the get-go, he wrestled well with the top tier wrestlers in Idaho and by season’s end won his first IHSAA District IV Championship (2A division). Despite losing a down to the wire semi-final bout at state, Wally quickly regrouped and finished his freshman season off with a third place finish.
The following season, Wally continued to improve upon his performance from the previous year by winning a second district title and then reaching the championship finals at state. This time, Wally had the match of the state tournament when he was down by one point in regulation and with just three seconds left in the match was able to hit a signature Granby Roll for the escape, taking the highly contested match into sudden victory (SV). In the end, Wally scored the winning takedown in the waning seconds of SV to secure his first high school state title. His hard work and commitment during the off-season to achieve his goal of winning state had paid off in dividends.
Eyeing another state title in 2024, Wally entered his junior year with the goal of improving on his past performances in addition to challenging himself against the best competition in the state and abroad. During the regular season, he won individual titles at the 50th Annual Buhl Invitational and Viewmont Invitational in Utah. Additionally, Wally reached the finals of the Tim Matthews and Red Halverson tournaments where he lost to a pair of Idaho’s tier one wrestlers in Filer’s Koy Orr (3x state medalists/All-American) and Jake Castagneto of Bishop Kelly, a multiple time state champion with several All-American honors to his credit (currently attending Utah Valley University).
Despite finishing the regular season strong, Wally remained focused on his goal of winning state title number two. At Districts, he spent very little time on the mat and easily won title number three. A week later, Wally had a solid performance at state and for the second time climbed to the top step of the podium.
With state title number two under his belt, Wally entered the history books at Declo by becoming the sixth wrestler in the school’s history to win two individual state titles. Not too long after high school state, he was back in the wrestling room in preparation for the summer wrestling circuit. In brief, he placed in the top four in both styles at the Idaho Junior Freestyle/Greco-Roman State Championships and followed with an All-American finish at the Junior Folkstyle Nationals in Iowa.
A senior in 2025, Kaden enters this season in pursuit of a third individual state title, fourth medal overall, and at this point in his wrestling career is among the top prep wrestlers to have ever come out of the small town of Declo. According to Declo’s Head Coach, Justin Horsley, “Wallace is a very hard working wrestler. He is one of the most committed wrestlers in our program. I say one of the most committed on the team because Wallace has helped me build this program by providing a fun, hard working environment, where any student can feel welcome in our wrestling room. Wallace lives across the street from our school. He’s the first wrestler there, the last to leave, and when something needs to be done, whether it’s mopping mats, helping at tournaments, or bumping up a weight class to secure an extra win for the team. Wallace will be missed after he graduates, but what he has helped me build in the program will live on! We have a ton of young wrestlers that look up to him and will continue to work hard to be like him for us in the future.”
“Never give up! Just give it your all while your there.”
Wally Durfee
Historically, the wrestling program at Declo High School has had a long tradition of producing individual state champions, medalists, state championship teams, and since 1995 has had twelve top four finishes at state. More recently, Derek Matthews became the school’s first four-time state champion (2019-’22) in addition to earning multiple prep level All-American honors and a Gold medal at the U20 Pan Am Games. Since 1988, Declo has produced its share of state champions and medalists in the A-3 and 2A divisions. This includes (1) 4x State Champion, (1) 3x State Champion, (6) 2x State Champions, (16) 1x State Champions, (6) 4x State Placers, (17) 3x State Placers, (22) 2x State Placers, and (43) 1x State Placers.
This past week, I had the opportunity to talk to Wally about wrestling, academics, life, hunting, hobbies, and his goals in life and wrestling moving forward. A special thank you to Declo alumni and state medalist Todd Webb (’83) for providing me historical data and a strong perspective of the long-standing program at Declo. I want to wish Wally the best this upcoming season and encourage him to follow his dreams!! Below is my Q&A with Wally, another exceptional student-athlete that represents the great state of Idaho. Enjoy!
Q&A INTERVIEW WITH WALLACE DURFEE
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING?
WALLY – Around five years old. My older brother started when he was about 7 or 8 years old. I wanted to do everything my brother did.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN WRESTLING?
WALLY – My parents and Coach Horsley. Coach Horsley has taken me to new levels in wrestling.
NOW THAT YOU’RE ENTERING YOUR SENIOR SEASON, WHAT ARE YOUR SHORT AND LONG-TERM GOALS AT DECLO?
WALLY – Win my third state title and to come back in the future and help build the program.
HAVING HAD SOME GREAT SUCCESS AT THIS POINT IN YOUR CAREER, DESCRIBE YOUR TRAINING ROUTINE AND YOUR OUTLOOK IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
WALLY – Practice, running, and lifting weights. For example, I like to take short hard runs, perform many light reps with weights, practice technique, live wrestling and conditioning.
DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC AND WRESTLING EXPERIENCE AT DECLO HIGH SCHOOL.
WALLY – My wrestling experience has been great, especially with my coaches and the alumni that have come back to help. On the academic side, it has been a bit harder and weird, but doable.
WHAT ARE YOUR ACADEMIC GOALS ENTERING YOUR SENIOR SEASON AND BEYOND?
WALLY – My goals are to have all A’s and to stay with a steady mind set and keep it.
DO YOU HAVE AMBITIONS OF COMPETING IN COLLEGE OR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION?
WALLY – I want to compete in college and see where it goes from there.
IS THERE AN OLYMPIAN, COLLEGIATE LEVEL WRESTLER, COACH OR SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE SPORT OF WRESTLING THAT YOU WANT TO ASPIRE TO BE SOMEDAY?
WALLY – David Carr. He is very technical and smart with what he does. He never quits and is able to come back from a loss and learn from it.
WHAT LIFE LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED IN WRESTLING THAT APPLIES IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?
WALLY – Never give up! Just give it your all while your there.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNG WRESTLER WANTING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING OR IN LIFE?
WALLY – Watch each move in detail. Then work hard and master it. Never let go of your goals. Keep finding new ways to get to your destination.
WHAT OTHER GOALS DO YOU HAVE IN LIFE?
WALLY – To become very rich and have a big house with a beautiful wife. Possibly fight in MMA.
DO YOU HAVE A SAYING, MOTTO OR PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU LIVE BY?
WALLY – “Love the fight,” and “Live in the chaos.”
ONCE YOU ARE DONE COMPETING, DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO STAY INVOLVED WITH WRESTLING?
WALLY – I would like to coach and pass on my knowledge to younger wrestlers.
OUTSIDE THE SPORT OF WRESTLING, WHAT OTHER HOBBIES, SPORTS, AND FAMILY FUNCTIONS DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
WALLY – Hunting, fishing, and golf. I may not be good at golf, but it’s fun.
ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC PROFILE
SCHOOL: Declo (3A)
GRADE: 12th (Class of 2025)
WRESTLING CLUB: Declo Stingers WC
PROJECTED WEIGHT: 138
GPA: 3.5
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:
- Future Farmers of America (FFA)
- 4-H Club
WRESTLING ACCOLADES:
- Junior Folkstyle All-American ’24
- Idaho Junior Freestyle State – 3rd Place ’24
- Idaho Junior Greco-Roman State – 4th Place ’24
- Idaho State Champion (2A) ’24
- IHSAA District IV Champion (2A) ’24
- Idaho State Champion (2A) ’23
- IHSAA District IV Champion (2A) ’23
- 3rd Idaho State Championships (2A) ’22
IHSAA District IV Champion (2A) ’22
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