The probability of repeating the final result of the 2024 4A State Championships (now Class 5A) in 2025 or any year after is so low that we don’t even have to perform the probability calculation to recognize that it will likely never happen again in our lifetime. In what was considered a barnburner event from start to finish definitely kept the capacity crowd at the Holt Arena (ICCU Dome) on their feet throughout and concluded with pre-tournament favorites Bishop Kelly and Minico tying for first place in the team standings (248.0 points). On top of that, Blackfoot and Lakeland also tied for third place (125.5), which when you think about it, what are the odds? That being said, I am not certain whether this feat has every happened in the long history of the Idaho State Championships or not. Please advise! 

Once again, I expect Minico and Bishop Kelly to battle for the top spot in 2025, but it’s too early to determine the overall favorite. Historically, Minico sends a large contingent of qualifiers to state each and every year, which if repeated this season will make them tough to beat. For starters, each team brings back a core group of state placers and state qualifiers (SQs), but solving for X (total number of state qualifiers) is not attainable at this time. It is very clear and well-defined, the common denominator to challenge for a state team title is often shaped by the total number of wrestlers each team qualifies to state. In short, it’s a numbers game. Time will provide us a clearer picture.

Entering the 2024-’25 season with the largest number of wrestlers with state level experience is Minico. The Spartans return one state champion, six placers overall, and five state qualifiers. Leading this strong contingent is 2x state champion Preston Sonner-Cranney (Sr.) followed by placers Roman Valero (So.), Rodrigo Aceves (Jr.), Greyson Molina (Sr./3x placer), Landyn Schmidt (Jr.), and 2x finalist Mikael Teague. To date, Minico has won seven state team titles, which includes the co-title in 2024 (1962, ’06, ’17, ’18, ’22, ’23, and ’24).

Also eyeing the big prize, Bishop Kelly returns three state champions, five placers overall, two additional state qualifiers, and five wrestlers with All-American credentials on their resume. Leading this talented group is returning state champions Holton Crane (So./All-American), Carlos Valdez (Sr./All-American) in addition to 3x champion Matthew Martino (Sr./All-American), who is in position to possibly join his older brother Christopher (now at Princeton) in the 4x State Champions Club. Other returning state placers include Dylan Dottaviano (Jr.), state finalist Jake Mescher (So./All-American), and Tensei Thompson (Jr./All-American). Keep an eye on incoming freshman Davis Reynolds and Samson Castillo. Each are expected to challenge for a spot on the state podium.

The following schools are expected to be in the mix and challenge for a spot in the top five: Lakeland (5 placers/9 SQs), Bonneville (5 placers/6 SQs), Idaho Falls (2 placers/3 SQs), Century (3 placers/8 SQs), and Middleton (3 placers/10 SQs), who competed in the 5A (now 6A) in 2024.  

Individually, the 5A returns a strong group of states champions, multi-placers, and All-Americans. Returning with one title to their names and among the favorites to win a second include Mountain Home’s Camden Kuntz (So.), Carson Leonard (Lakeland, So.), Sam Buck (Emmett, Sr.), and multi-All-American and Fargo Champ (OW) Saxton Scott of Idaho Falls. Keep an eye on Middleton’s Jabyn Kemble. He returns with three state medals and will contend for the top step of the podium at state.

A total of seven wrestlers return this season in position to earn a third state medal. They include All-American John Behm (Shelly, Jr.), Gabe Pyne (Century, Sr.), Tristan Vega (Burley, Jr.), Jaren Knopp (Lakeland, Sr.), Ryker Vail (Bonneville, Sr.), Jordan Tyler (Sandpoint, Sr.), and two-time finalist D.J. Neider of Idaho Falls (Sr.).

Other wrestlers to watch include returning state finalists Ayden Tokita (Skyline, So.), Rydge Vail (Bonneville, So.), and Dylan Scott of Lakeland (Sr.).

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.  Additionally, all my data is obtained from past state championships, tournament results in addition to recent input from coaches, which I was able to make contact with. On another note, 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

152 – Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 12) (AA)

2X STATE CHAMPIONS

195 – Preston Sonner-Cranney (Minico, 12)

1X STATE CHAMPIONS

98 – Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly, 10)

106 – Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home, 10)

113 – Carson Leonard (Lakeland, 10)

120 – Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 12) (AA)

145 – Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 12)

285 – Sam Buck (Emmett, 12): State Champion

3X STATE PLACERS

113 – Greyson Molina (Minico, 12): 5^th, 4^th, 4^th

120 – Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 12): 3^rd, 2^nd, 1^st (AA)

126 - Jabyn Kemble (Middleton, 12): 4^th, 3^rd, 6^th

145 – Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 12): 4^th, 3^rd, 1^st (AA)

152 – Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 12): 1^st, 1^st, 1^st (AA)

195 – Preston Sonner-Cranney (Minico, 12): 4^th, 1^st, 1^st

2X STATE PLACERS

98 – Mikael Teague (Minico, 11): 2^nd, 2^nd

106 – John Behm (Shelly, 11): 5^th, 3^rd (AA)

113 – Gabe Pyne (Century, 12): 3^rd, 3^rd

120 – Tristan Vega (Burley, 11): 4^th, 3^rd

120 – Jaren Knopp (Lakeland, 12): 6^th, 5^th

145 – DJ Neider (Idaho Falls, 12): 2^nd, 2^nd

145 – Ryker Vail (Bonneville, 12): 4^th, 3^rd

195 – Jordan Tyler (Sandpoint, 12): 3^rd, 2^nd

1X STATE PLACERS

98 – Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly, 10): State Champion (AA)

98 – Porter Campbell (Preston, 11): 3^rd

98 – Kian Kanekoa (Burley, 10): 4^th

98 – Zack Teal (Lakeland, 10): 5^th

98 – Roman Valero (Minico, 10): 6^th

106 – Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home, 10): State Champion

106 – Ayden Tokita (Skyline, 10): 2^nd

106 – Nathan Ramsdell (Twin Falls, 11): 4^th

106 – Rodrigo Aceves (Minico, 11): 5^th

106 – Krew Keller (Preston, 11): 6^th

113 – Carson Leonard (Lakeland, 10): State Champion

113 – Rydge Vail (Bonneville, 10): 2^nd

113 - Christian Segali (Middleton, 12): 3^rd

113 – Dylan Dottaviano (Bishop Kelly, 1): 5^th

113 – Jett Hone (Blackfoot, 10): 6^th

120 – Peyton Keller (Preston, 11): 4^th

126 – Jake Mescher (Bishop Kelly, 10): 2^nd (AA)

126 – Landyn Schmidt (Minico, 11): 6^th

132 - Jase Hendren (Lewiston, 12): 3^rd

132 – Kaden Bunderson (Pocatello, 11): 4^th

132 – Ty Adams (Blackfoot, 11): 6^th

138 - Gunnar Whitlock (Lewiston, 12): 6^th

145 – Tanner Ellis (Blackfoot, 12): 5^th

152 - Ryan Lewis (Middleton, 10): 3^rd

152 – Jairo McLean (Century, 11): 4^th

152 – Porter Dansie (Blackfoot, 11): 5^th

160 – Madix Jones (Bonneville, 12): 3^rd

170 – Trey Smith (Jerome, 11): 3^rd

182 - Brice Cuthbert (Lewiston, 12): 5^th

195 – Dawandey Dilus (Blackfoot, 12): 6^th

220 – Dylan Scott (Lakeland, 12): 2^nd

220 – Jason Vazquez-Islas (Jerome, 12): 3^rd

220 – Austin Reeves (Hillcrest, 11): 5^th

220 – Rogan Boomer (Century, 11): 6^th

285 – Sam Buck (Emmett, 12): State Champion

285 – Carter Vanek (Lakeland, 12): 4^th

285 – Stewart Young (Bonneville, 11): 6^th

ALL-AMERICANS

Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 12) *OW (Fargo 16U GR)

Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 12)

Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 12)

Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly, 10)

John Behm (Shelley, 11)

Jake Mescher (Bishop Kelly, 10)

Tensei Thompson (Bishop Kelly, 11)

Dallyn Grimes (Middleton, 12)