The 2024-’25 wrestling season is expected to be an exciting one in the 6A Division (formerly 5A). As of this writing, it appears to be a two team race between perennial powers Post Falls and Meridian. What’s more, Caldwell and Ridgevue will be joining the 6A this year while Middleton and Lewiston have moved to the 5A. All in all, from the lightest to heaviest weight groups, the 6A returns several state champions, state placers, All-Americans in addition to a strong group of incoming freshmen that will definitely challenge for a spot on the state podium this season.

Based on share numbers, Post Falls is the early team favorite and in position to bring home a historical sixth state team title in 2025 (State Champions – 2015, ’16, ’18, ’19, and ’20). For starters, the Trojans return a large contingent that consists of two state champions, ten state placers overall, nine state qualifiers, as well as a strong group of incoming freshmen. Leading this group is 3x State Champion and All-American Rider Sequine (Sr.) as well as 2x Champion Seth Martin (Sr.), who is among the favorites to repeat for a third state title and fourth medal overall.  

Sequine and Martin are joined by state finalists Damion Hamilton (All-American/Jr.) and Trey Smith (Sr.) in addition to returning placers Kendall Sage (Sr.), Matthew Hamilton (So.), Gage Loftin (Jr.), Ethan Wilson (Sr.), Logan Loaiza (Jr.), and Tanner Piper (Sr.). Keep an eye on incoming freshman Tristan Mendenhall, Ryker Allen, and Sawyer Sage.

Do not count Meridian out of contention for the team title. With four straight team titles to their credit (8 titles since 1983), Meridian returns a strong contingent that will definitely battle from start to finish. For instance, the Warriors return one state champion, nine state placers overall, ten state qualifiers, and similar to Post Falls, a very strong group of incoming freshmen. Leading this talented group is prep

All-Americans Jeremiah Gonzalez (Sr.) and Logan Shaver. Gonzalez returns with two state titles (3x finalist) while Shaver, a returning state finalist (two-time medalist) is rated among the top wrestlers in his weight and will definitely challenge for the title. Other returning placers include Andrae Ramirez (Sr.), Brigg Morrill (So.), Tobias Guillen (So.), Drake Jayne (So.), Justus Briggs (Jr.), Bradley Bones (Jr.), and Abdullah Abdulhameed (Sr.).

Meridian also brings in a talented group of freshmen that will contribute a great deal. They include 14U All-American and Tulsa National Champion Blake Nevills, Bodee Williams, Jacob Ostoja, Ty Balkovic, Cruz Ramirez, and Burke Camberlango.

The following schools are expected to be in the mix and challenge for spot in the top five: Nampa (4 placers/5 SQs), Madison (6 placers/8 SQs), Coeur d’ Alene (5 placers/6 SQs), and Caldwell (3 placers/6 SQs) moving up a division from last season.

Individually, the 6A returns several talented wrestlers joining those listed above from Post Falls and Meridian. This group consists of multiple state champions, two to three-time state placers, and All-American honors to their credit. Leading this strong group is two-time state champions Ryan Hirchert (Nampa, Jr.) and Sawyer Anderson (Highland, Jr.), each among the favorites to challenge for number three. Furthermore, three-time placer and All-American Draven Johns (Caldwell, Sr.) along with two-time placers Dylan Frothinger (Eagle, Jr.), Ilan Shank (Nampa, Jr.), Vincent Contreras (Nampa, Jr.), Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge, Jr.), Jaxson Freeman (Caldwell, Jr.), Jayce Wolf (Caldwell, Sr.), and Alijah Macias (Nampa, Sr.) will challenge for the top step of the podium this year.

Other wrestlers to watch include two-time placers Rocco White (Coeur d’ Alene, Jr.), All-American Hunter Anderson (Rigby, Sr.), Teague Jensen (Madison, Jr.), Will Rossi (Coeur d’ Alene, Sr.), Nate Galloway (Rocky Mountain, Sr.), Jean-Luc Guerra (Mountain View, Sr.), Garrett Leonard (Lake City, Sr.), Rex Salas (Madison, Sr.), as well as finalists Ian Avalos (Mountain View, So.), Brand’n Edstrom (Madison, So.), and Fargo National Champion (OW) Ivan Ivanov (Eagle, So.).

Please note, all wrestlers in this preview are listed at weight groups previously competed in at the 2024 State Championships (or prior), which is subject to change during the 2024-’25 season.  All my data is obtained from past state championships, national tournament results, and recent input from coaches, which I was able to make contact with. Also, Idaho has adopted the following new weight groups per the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS): 98, 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190, 215, 285.

Below is a list of returning states champions, state placers, and All-Americans. Please email brandon@idahosports.com if there are any missing wrestlers or deletions that should be made from the list below.

3X STATE CHAMPION

120 - Rider Seguin (Post Falls, 12) (AA)

2X STATE CHAMPIONS

98 - Ryan Hirchert (Nampa, 11)

106 - Sawyer Anderson (Highland, 11) (AA)

113 - Jeremiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 12)(AA)

170 - Seth Martin (Post Falls, 12)

3X STATE PLACERS

120 - Rider Sequin (Post Falls, 12): 1^st, 1^st, 1^st (AA)

113 - Jeremiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 12): 2^nd, 1^st, 1^st (AA)

126 – Draven Johns (Caldwell, 12): 3^rd, 2^nd, 3^rd (AA)

170 - Seth Martin (Post Falls, 12): 4^th, 1^st, 1^st

160 - Trey Smith (Post Falls, 12): 5^th, 3^rd, 2^nd

2X STATE PLACERS

98 - Ryan Hirchert (Nampa, 11): 1^st, 1^st

98 - Rocco White (Coeur d’ Alene, 11): 6^th, 3^rd 

106 - Sawyer Anderson (Highland, 11): 1^st, 1^st

106 - Dylan Frothinger (Eagle, 11): 4^th, 2^nd

106 - Ilan Shank (Nampa, 11): 2^nd, 4^th

113 - Vincent Contreras (Nampa, 11): 2^nd, 2^nd

113 - Hunter Anderson (Rigby, 12): 5^th, 5^th (AA)

113 - Teague Jensen (Madison, 12): 6^th, 6^th

120 – Jaxson Freeman (Caldwell, 11): 2^nd, 2^nd

120 - Alijah Macias (Nampa, 12): 2^nd, 3^rd

120 - Will Rossi (Coeur d’ Alene, 12): 6^th, 5^th

132 - Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge, 11): 4^th, 3^rd (AA)

132 - Nate Galloway (Rocky Mountain, 12): 5^th, 6^th

145 - Logan Shaver (Meridian, 11): 4^th, 2^nd (AA)

152 – Jayce Wolf (Caldwell, 12): 5^th, 3^rd

170 - Jean-Luc Guerra (Mountain View, 12): 4^th, 4^th

195 - Garrett Leonard (Lake City, 12): 5^th, 3^rd

195 - Kendall Sage (Post Falls, 12): 6^th, 4^th

285 - Rex Salas (Madison, 12): 6^th, 4^th

1X STATE PLACERS

98 - Brand’n Edstrom (Madison, 10): 2^nd

98 - Gage Loftin (Post Falls, 11): 4^th (AA)

98 - Brigg Morrill (Meridian, 10): 5^th

98 - Drake Jayne (Meridian, 10): 6^th

106 - Matthew Hamilton (Post Falls, 10): 3^rd

106 - Ethan Wilson (Post Falls, 12): 4^th ’22

106 - Tobias Guillen (Meridian, 10): 5^th

106 - Ryker Andreason (Owyhee, 10): 6^th

120 - Tanner George (Coeur d’ Alene, 11): 4^th

120 - Justus Briggs (Meridian, 11): 6^th

126 - Ian Avalos (Mountain View, 10): 2^nd

126 - Tucker Clark (Rigby, 11): 4^th

126 - Mason Rogers (Coeur d’ Alene, 11): 5^th

132 - Onyx Kunsaitis (Thunder Ridge, 10): 4^th

138 - Andrae Ramirez (Meridian, 12): 3^rd

138 - Aiden Hernandez (Highland, 10): 4^th

138 - Ace Ingram (Madison, 11): 5^th

138 – Peyton Gurney (Ridgevue, 12): 6^th

145 - Colton Tucker (Coeur d’ Alene, 12): 3^rd

152 - Damion Hamilton (Post Falls, 11): 2^nd (AA)

152 - Braxton Hanna (Madison, 11): 4^th

152 - Ivan Ivanov (Eagle, 10): 6^th (AA)

160 - Chaz Ponton (Mountain View, 12): 6^th (AA)

182 - Bradley Bones (Meridian, 11): 6^th

220 - Porter Cottle (Madison, 12): 3^rd

220 - Sebastian Mosman (Lake City, 12): 5^th

220 - Abdullah Abdulhameed (Meridian, 12): 6^th

285 - Anthony Toomey (Eagle, 12): 3^rd

285 - Hyrum Heindel (Kuna, 11): 5^th (AA)

285 - Kollin Bailey (Rocky Mountain, 11): 6^th

ALL-AMERICANS

Ivan Ivanov (Eagle, 10) *OW (Fargo 16U GR)

Rider Seguin (Post Falls, 12)

Damion Hamilton (Post Falls, 11)

Gage Loftin (Post Falls, 11)

Jeremiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 12)

Logan Shaver (Meridian, 11)

Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge, 11)

Sawyer Anderson (Highland, 11)

Hunter Anderson (Rigby, 12)

Draven Johns (Caldwell, 12)

Hyrum Heindel (Kuna, 11)

Chaz Ponton (Mountain View, 12)