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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
Jeremiah Gonzalez, Meridian
Wallace Durfee, Declo

The next wrestler in my HIDDEN GEMS/TIER ONE series is Zoe Fries of Kuna High School located in the southern Boise Metropolitan. Historically, the town of Kuna is known as “the end of the trail,” or for practical purposes, back in the early 1900s was the final railroad stop where there were coach transports into Boise. Similar to other wrestlers I have written about, Zoe is the next generation, along with her younger sisters, to enter the wrestling circle. Their father, Gerome, competed for Norte Vista High School in SoCal back in the day, and along with his wife, Gena, have been a great support system for their daughters in the sport.

With over six years of mat experience, Zoe enters her senior season with an impressive list of wrestling accolades, which includes three individual high school state medals, three prep level All-American honors, and a strong focus on earning an individual state high school title. Additionally, she is among the next group of young motivated pioneers to continue the growth of girls wrestling in the Gem State and abroad.

When I reflect back on my long involvement in the sport of wrestling, the one day that has impacted me the most happened over forty years ago during the first practice of my senior year at Livermore High School on November 7, 1983. It was on this day that our new head coach, Steve Page, began the new season with the following words of encouragement, “To be a champion and the best you can possibly be, you must follow the 3Ds – DEDICATION, DESIRE, AND DETERMINATION.” These words alone provided me a clear road map towards achievement and to date has been etched in my psyche and outlook in life. Having had the opportunity to interview Zoe about her wrestling experiences thus far, it was transparent from the very beginning that her outlook on the mat, classroom, and life in general mirrors the ethos of the 3Ds and much more.

From the very beginning of her wrestling journey in the sixth grade, Zoe understood firsthand that to sustain in the sport of wrestling required a great deal of grit, determination, patience, and the mental fortitude to overcome adversity as well as any shortcomings. It was at this period of time that despite limited opportunities for girls wrestling in Idaho, there was some leading indicators of increased interest at the grass roots and prep levels. On day one of entering the wrestling circle, Zoe pressed forward and embraced the demanding process and array of challenges that lie ahead.

Before I move forward with Zoe’s story, let’s take a panoramic view of the landscape of girls wrestling in the United States. To begin with, the common trend since the early 1990s has been the exponential growth in participation numbers, especially within the last few years. For instance, the numbers have grown from just over 800 participants in 1994 to nearly 32,000 (31,654) in 2020 and as of last season doubled to an astonishing 64,257, which is an 102% increase in the 2021-’22 season. Incredible!

In spite of the nation’s rapid growth, the state of Idaho has been slow to catch on, but surprisingly within the last few years there has been an increased interest at all levels and as of this writing the participation numbers are moving in an upward trajectory that appear to be correlating with the national trend. Case in point, the first organized open state invitational for girls took place in Pocatello during the 2018-’19 season and fielded just over fifty wrestlers. The following year, the participation numbers nearly doubled and despite the many concerns with the coronavirus and its associated health protocols, the numbers increased by an additional seventeen percent in 2021 (~132% increase since 2019).

By good fortune, when Zoe was about to enter her first year at Kuna High School (2021-’22), the Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA) had already approved the sanctioning of girls wrestling with the boys division. That season, the girls held their first official state tournament along with the boys at the Holt Arena (ICCU Dome) on the campus of Idaho State University.

To date, there have been a total of four wrestlers from Kuna High School to have placed at the Idaho State Championships since 2021, Zoe included. In fact, Zoe has led the charge as well as set a strong precedent for all to follow with her impressive list of accolades at the local, state, and national levels. During her freshman year at Kuna, Zoe won an individual title at the Tiger-Grizz Invitational and in the postseason reached the championship finals at the district championships. Despite losing to state rival and All-American Clare Waite of Boise, Zoe remained focused and a week later put together a strong performance by placing third at the first officially sanctioned state tournament for the girl’s division in Idaho.

“Zoe has been instrumental in helping to grow girls' wrestling in Kuna. She has worked hard, and has grown as an individual who provides leadership and a positive example for our younger female wrestlers.”

• Pat Owens, Kuna Head Coach

Reminiscent of the early pioneers of girls wrestling in Idaho, such as Cierra Foster, Brelane Huber, and Anneliese De Aragon to name a few, Zoe has committed herself to continuous improvement in the sport she has grown to love. Her commitment to spend an extra amount of time during the off-season training and competing for her local club and Team Idaho paid off in dividends as she began to achieve at a higher level. This included winning the Idaho Freestyle State Championships, Folkstyle State where she defeated rival, Clare Waite, and strong third place finish at the USAW Folkstyle Nationals where she earned All-American honors.

According to Zoe, one of her biggest influences in wrestling has been her club coach, Jeff Tucker. I had the opportunity to talk to Jeff about Zoe’s journey thus far and future outlook. He stated the following, “Zoe is the most driven wrestler I have ever coached. She’s always self-reflective on her performances on the mat and does the necessary work to continuously improve. Zoe truly loves the sport of wrestling and is involved in so many ways; coaching youth wrestlers, officiating, and providing support for local tournaments to name a few. I believe Zoe has the potential to take her skills to the next level and beyond.”

By the start of her sophomore year, Zoe was more than ready and battle tested to contend for an individual title at the state championships. As an example, she reached the championship finals at the early season Jaybird Memorial and Tiger-Grizz Invitationals, and overall competed well among the top competition in the state. At the post season districts, Zoe once again reached the finals, but lost to Rocky Mountain’s returning state champion and six-time All-American Mia Furman. Always moving forward, Zoe regrouped and wrestled tough at state the following week and came home with another hard fought third place medal.

Not too long after state, Zoe traveled to Utah where she earned a regional level accolade by placing third at the Intermountain Warrior Challenge. This tournament features wrestlers from Idaho, Utah and several of the nearby states. She then earned a second title at the Idaho Freestyle State Championships and capped the year off with another All-American honor by placing at the USMC Women’s U17 Nationals.

The road to the top step of the podium is not an easy task and is often met with setbacks, adversity, and challenges on the way. From the first time Zoe set foot on the mat at Kuna, she has had her sights set on winning an individual Idaho High School state title. With two strong seasons under her belt, Zoe entered her junior year with the focus of reaching the top podium at state and much more. For starters, during the regular season, she placed at several tournaments throughout the state and for the first time won an individual District III title. More than prepared to reach the top step of the podium at state, Zoe registered three straight pins to reach the championship finals, but fell short against freshman standout and All-American Roxy Sheen of Buhl.

Like a true champion, Zoe responded well and immediately got back to work in the off-season and within a month after high school state earned another title at the Idaho Freestyle State Championships in addition to placing third in Folkstyle and Freestyle at the USA Western States. On top of that, Zoe earned her third prep level All-American honor when she placed fourth in the country at the USA Junior Folkstyle Nationals.

In wrestling you face constant challenges, whether it’s losing matches or overcoming physical and mental limitations. It’s about getting back up after a setback and pushing forward.

• Zoe Fries

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Fred Bartlett, Idaho’s National Coach for the girls division. He stated the following about Zoe, “Over the past 2-3 years I’ve spent more time with Zoe than any other wrestler, besides my own team. She works relentlessly at getting better…very coachable, but usually knows what needs to be fixed before anybody else says anything. Her ability to self-evaluate is impressive!” Additionally, he said, “We’ve traveled all over the state and across the country, she’s usually the shotgun rider, karaoke singer/DJ of the trips, makes me laugh and keeps me awake on the long trips. She is a great competitor on the mat, but even a better person off the mat. Can’t wait to see where wrestling takes her…Some college coach will be very lucky to have her.”

As of this writing, Zoe is preparing for her senior season at Kuna with the goal of winning an individual Idaho High School state title and fourth medal overall. Since first entering the wrestling circle in the sixth grade, Zoe has accumulated an impressive list of accolades, which includes three All-American honors. More importantly, Zoe has set a strong precedent for all future girls thinking about giving wrestling a try. This precedent includes lead by example leadership, vision, strong work ethic, resilience, and commitment to be the best she can be in all aspects of life. It’s my understanding that Zoe’s younger sisters, Charizma (freshman at Kuna), Rylee, and Raelynn (each at Fremont MS) have already entered the wrestling circle and have shown strong interest. Stay tuned!

My college coach, Zack Papachristos often emphasized, “Strive for perfection, but settle for nothing less than excellence.” Based on my recent conversations and observations of Zoe in competitions, she exemplifies this type of focus and mindset. Regardless of whether she wins an individual state title or not, Zoe will always persevere and do the best she can in whatever she sets out to pursue in life. More recently, I had the opportunity to meet with Zoe and her family. We discussed wrestling, academics, hobbies, future goals, and family. Below is my Q&A with Zoe in addition to her wrestling and academic profile. Enjoy!

Q&A INTERVIEW WITH ZOE FRIES

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING?

ZOE – All throughout my lifetime I’ve sought to push/break gender norms and prove that girls can do almost anything guys can do. My dad had wrestled a season when he was younger but got injured and had to stop. So, wrestling hadn’t been a factor in my life till my sixth-grade year when my brother, who is two years older than me, had joined. At that point, I didn’t think anything of it because I didn’t think girls were allowed to wrestle. Then I found out one of my female friends was wrestling and I knew I wanted to wrestle too. That night at dinner, I asked my parents, and they said, yes without hesitation! I showed up the next day and have been wrestling ever since.

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN WRESTLING?

ZOE – Hands down my biggest influence in wrestling has been Jeff Tucker. He’s coached me from the beginning. He’s been in my corner every step of the way, on and off the mat. He isn’t just my coach; him and his family are family to me. Without them I wouldn’t be the person or wrestler I am today. I am beyond grateful to have them in my life and can’t thank them enough.

NOW THAT YOU’RE ENTERING YOUR SENIOR SEASON, WHAT ARE YOUR SHORT AND LONG-TERM GOALS AT DECLO? 

ZOE – Since this is my senior season, I want to make it my best yet and go out with a bang. I have come so close to being state champ, but have just barely fallen short. I have put in the work mentally and physically on and off the mat, so I’d like to say that this year is the year I take it all. As for the long term, I hope to have helped contribute a lasting and motivating impact on future generations of female wrestlers in the Kuna wrestling program. Furthermore, I plan on continuing my wrestling career in college but since I don’t exactly know what that looks like I’m keeping an open mind, getting excited, and plan to give it my all.

HAVING HAD SOME GREAT SUCCESS AT THIS POINT IN YOUR CAREER, DESCRIBE YOUR TRAINING ROUTINE AND YOUR OUTLOOK IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

ZOE – In the last six years of my wrestling career, I’ve taken eighteen months off in total. While some people train all year-round, I believe it’s important to give my body time to recover from the physical demands of wrestling. So, I wrestle from November till the end of Fargo, then enjoy a three-month break while maintaining an active lifestyle. I lift and condition year-round, but this summer I was fortunate to be trained by Matt and Addie Coffelt, a couple from our club, who took me under their wing. This year, I also joined cross country to share a sport with my brother before graduating. Because my afternoons are filled with cross-country practice of work, I wake up at 4 a.m. to train with the Coffelt’s.

I plan to continue training with them throughout the season while attending school wresting practice and participating in the “best on best” practices for girls. These sessions are organized by my coach Jeff Tucker, Idaho girls’ team coach Fred Bartlett, and Jessie Brock, so that motivated female wrestlers across Idaho can find strong practice partners. After the high school season, I travel to Meridian High School and Bishop Kelly High School for more “best on best” practices, run by Chris Owens. As a female wrestler, it can be challenging to find good practice partners, so I’m grateful for all these opportunities.

DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC AND WRESTLING EXPERIENCE AT KUNA HIGH SCHOOL.

ZOE – To be very blunt, my wrestling experience has been tough. When I started there were hardly any girls wrestling; I was lucky if there were four girls in my weight group. The boys, to say the least, weren’t very welcoming at first. They didn’t want to wrestle a girl, and when they were paired with me, I faced a lot of discouragement. It was really hard. I had to work twice as hard to earn my place in the room, fighting for the same recognition - not just as a female wrestler, but as a wrestler, period. There were times I wanted to give up, but my coaches and family were always there to support me, knowing how much wrestling meant to me. It was a long, hard fight, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

WHAT ARE YOUR ACADEMIC GOALS ENTERING YOUR SENIOR SEASON AND BEYOND?

ZOE – Throughout my high school experience, I’ve followed the medical pathway at Kuna/Swan Falls High School. This year, I’m working towards lettering in sports medicine, which requires you to attend one varsity game for each sport, complete one-hundred hours in the training room, follow a specific sport, shadow in another school’s training room, and be a part of Health Occupations Students of American (HOSA). In addition, I’m also working towards graduating with my EMT certification, which also has strict standards. Looking ahead, I plan to continue my education in medical science to become a Military Medic- specifically a Navy Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman. After my military career, I aim to transition into another medical role.

DO YOU HAVE AMBITIONS OF COMPETING IN COLLEGE OR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION?

ZOE – Wrestling collegiately has been a long-standing ambition of mine. Watching college women wrestle at major national tournaments is inspiring- their skill and dedication are incredible. I know I still have lots of growing to do in this sport, and I’m excited to see what this next step brings. I’ve been in touch with coaches from Grandview University, Missouri Baptist University, and a few others, but don’t have a final decision quite yet. I’m still in the process of visiting schools to find one that feels like the right fit for me.

IS THERE AN OLYMPIAN, COLLEGIATE-LEVEL WRESTLER, COACH, OR SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE SPORT OF WRESTLING THAT YOU WANT TO ASPIRE TO BE SOMEDAY?

ZOE – One of my biggest inspirations in wrestling is Helen Maroulis. She was the first American woman to win an Olympic gold in wrestling, and her journey to get there is inspiring. Beyond her achievements, I admire how she carries herself. She is humble, hardworking, and always willing to share her experiences to help others, especially the next generation of female wrestlers. That’s the kind of influence I hope to one day have on others, whether it’s coaching young wrestlers or just showing that you can overcome obstacles and reach your goals if you’re determined enough.

WHAT LIFE LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED IN WRESTLING THAT APPLIES IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?

ZOE – “Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy” isn’t a lie. Wrestling is a sport that will clearly show you that you must work for what you want. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from wrestling is the value of persistence. In wrestling you face constant challenges, whether it’s losing matches or overcoming physical and mental limitations. It’s about getting back up after a setback and pushing forward. This mindset has helped me approach challenges in my daily life with a more resilient attitude. Teamwork and support are also crucial in wrestling. While it is an individual sport, it’s too hard to do by yourself. I’ve learned that working with teammates and coaches is essential for success. This has translated into my everyday interactions, reminding me to lean on others for support and to offer help when needed. Lastly, wrestling has helped me hold a higher self-image and has instilled a sense of confidence in me. When you train hard and see the results, it boosts your self-esteem. This confidence encourages me to take risks in my day-to-day life.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNG WRESTLER WANTING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING OR IN LIFE?

ZOE – I’d tell them not to base their love for the sport on wins and losses. I let my love for the sport shift to the wins. I started putting way too much pressure on myself to win matches. I’d get in my head and be so focused on winning that I’d lose because I wasn’t wrestling my match. If all you base the sport on is wins, the love for it is going to wear off fast. The beauty of wrestling is that it’s so competitive, there’s always going to be someone else gunning for you, always someone out there capable of beating you. The glory of wrestling doesn’t come from the wins it comes from the blood, sweat, and tears we put into this sport. You can wrestle the best you’ve ever wrestled, and still lose, but that is still something to be proud of. It isn’t about the outcome of the match it’s about your performance in it, you just have to remember to wrestle your match, stay calm, and wrestle hard.

DO YOU HAVE A SAYING, MOTTO OR PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU LIVE BY?

ZOE – A motto I’ve lived by my entire life is “Nothing worthwhile comes easy”. I was raised with the mentality that if you want something, you have to work for it.

ONCE YOU ARE DONE COMPETING, DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO STAY INVOLVED WITH WRESTLING?

ZOE – I absolutely want to stay involved with wrestling; it’s been such a huge part of my life. I met some of my biggest role models and made some of my best friends through it. I already help coach the younger kids at the club, and it’s one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. Sharing my skills and knowledge with younger generations, and hopefully helping them succeed in the sport is everything to me. Maybe one day I can have the same impact on them that my mentors have on me. I’m also considering a career in refereeing. I started officiating middle school and club events in my junior year, and I caught on quickly. It’s something I enjoy and could be a future path once I’m done competing.

OUTSIDE THE SPORT OF WRESTLING, WHAT OTHER HOBBIES, SPORTS, AND FAMILY FUNCTIONS DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?

ZOE – Outside of wrestling, I love to partake in art, baking/cooking, working out, skateboarding, hiking, music, and really just a bunch of random stuff.

IF PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO GROW WRESTLING AT THE GRASSROOTS AND PREP LEVELS FOR GIRLS?

ZOE – Improve the communications with younger athletes about the benefits of wrestling and how to navigate your wrestling experience with a greater emphasis on nutrition and mental strength. Also, to encourage more girls to give back to the sport as well as create an environment where girls can learn, adapt, and grow in the sport.

ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC PROFILE

SCHOOL: Kuna High School (Girls Division) 

GRADE: 12^th (Class of 2025)

WRESTLING CLUB: Kuna Wrestling Club

PROJECTED WEIGHT: 138

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:

• Sport Medicine

• Coaches at youth and middle school programs in Kuna

• Officiating at middle school and club wrestling events

WRESTLING ACCOLADES:

• Idaho Freestyle State Champion ’24

• USA Western Folkstyle – 3^rd Place ’24

• USA Western States Freestyle – 3^rd Place ’24

• USA Junior Folkstyle Nationals – 4^th Place/ALL-AMERICAN ’24

• Idaho High School State Championships – 2^nd Place ’24

• IHSAA District III Championships – Champion ’24

• USMC Women’s U17 Nationals – 7^th Place/ALL-AMERICAN ’23

• Idaho State Freestyle Champion ’23

• Intermountain Warrior Challenge – 3^rd Place ’23

• Idaho High School State Championships – 3^rd Place ’23

• IHSAA District III Championships – 2^nd Place ’23

• Tiger-Grizz Invitational Finalist ’23

• Jaybird Memorial Finalist ’23

• USAW 16U Folkstyle Nationals – 3^rd Place/ALL-AMERICAN ’22

• Idaho Freestyle State Champion (16) ’22

• Idaho Folkstyle State Champion ’22

• Idaho High School State Championships – 3^rd Place ’22

• IHSAA District III Championships – 2^nd Place ’22

• Tiger-Grizz Invitational Champion ‘22