The small school 3A Division (formerly 2A/1A) in Idaho consists of programs with enrollment sizes from just under 100 to 349 students. Despite the small enrollment numbers, the quality of wrestling being produced in the rural areas of the state is exceptional. The 3A returns a total of nine individual state champions and a significant number of state placers. The team race is expected to be a battle between three schools, which includes returning champions Malad, New Plymouth, and Kellogg. 

Let’s take a closer look at Malad, New Plymouth, and Kellogg. For starters, the Dragons of Malad return six state placers and eight qualifiers overall. They are led by two-time placers Jack Willie (Jr.) and Porter Mills (Jr.) followed by placers Sam Willie (Jr.), Drake Morrison (So./All-American), and Oakley Maddox (So./All-American).

Next is 2024 state runner-up New Plymouth. The Pilgrims return four state medalists and six qualifiers overall. The top returners include state champions Gabriel Cox (Sr.) and Jacob Shaw (Sr.), each among the favorites to challenge for a second title and fourth medal overall. The remaining state placers are Jacob Hartle (Sr.) and finalist Blane Ethington (So.).

Placing third at the 2024 state championships, Kellogg returns the most state placers in 2025 with six. The leaders are three-time medalist Ricky Haralson (Sr.) and two-time placer Chase Scribner (Jr.). They are joined by state placers Johnny Stovern (Jr.), Kevin Watson (So.), Colton Storey (So.), and Aiden Figueroa (Jr.).

The following schools are expected to be in the mix and challenge for a spot in the top five: Ririe (4 placers/5 SQs), Grace (4 placers/2 SQs), and North Fremont (3 placers/6 SQs).

Individually, the 3A returns a large contingent of state champions and state placers. The top returners include 2x state champions Carter Kimball (Grace, Jr.) Gabe Mullenburg (Glenns Ferry, Sr.), and All-American Wallace Durfee of Declo (Sr.). Other state champs include Kole Younger (Grace, So.), Kaden Schaff (Nezperce, Jr.), Gavin Peterson, Sr.), Colm McLaimtaig (Priest River, Sr.), James Hansen (Ririe, So.), and Ashton Allen (Firth, Sr.).

Other top returners include three-time placers Ches Lee Webb (Ririe, Sr.) and Eston Beck (Aberdeen, Sr.) as well as two-timers Colter Barzee (West Side, Jr.), Tayven Kunz (Ririe, Sr.), Jack Eddins (Grace, Sr.), Stellar Tew (West Side, Sr. Jace Waggoner (Tri-Valley, Jr.), Bronc Cordingley (North Fremont, Sr.), Elijah Dilworth (Soda Springs, Jr.), and Orrin Miller of North Fremont (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 advise if there are any missing wrestlers or deletions that should be made from the list below.

2X STATE CHAMPIONS

113 – Carter Kimball (Grace, 11)

120 – Gabe Mullenburg (Glenns Ferry, 12)

132 – Wallace Durfee (Declo, 12) (AA)

1X STATE CHAMPIONS

98 – Kole Younger (Grace, 10)

106 – Kaden Schaff (Nezperce, 11)

120 – Gavin Peterson (West Side, 12)

138 – Colm McLaimtaig (Priest River, 12)

145 – James Hansen (Ririe, 10)

170 – Ashton Allen (Firth, 12)

182 – Gabriel Cox (New Plymouth, 12)

3X STATE PLACERS

120 – Gabe Mullenburg (Glenns Ferry, 12): 1^st, 1^st, 2^nd

120 – Ches Lee Webb (Ririe, 12): 5^th, 4^th, 6^th

120 – Ricky Haralson (Kellogg, 12): 4^th, 5^th, 6^th

132 – Wallace Durfee (Declo, 12): 3^rd, 1^st, 1^st

132 – Eston Beck (Aberdeen, 12): 5^th, 4^th, 6^th

152 – Jacob Shaw (New Plymouth, 12): 6^th, 1^st, 2^nd

182 – Gabriel Cox (New Plymouth, 12): 5^th, 4^th, 1^st

2X STATE PLACERS

98 – Jack Willie (Malad, 11): 5^th, 2^nd

106 – Kaden Scaff (Nezperce, 11): 2^nd, 1^st

106 – Colter Barzee (West Side, 11): 6^th, 2^nd

113 – Carter Kimball (Grace, 11): 1^st, 1^st

113 – Porter Mills (Malad, 11): 4^th, 4^th

120 – Gavin Peterson (West Side, 12): 2^nd, 1^st

120 – Tayven Kunz (Ririe, 12): 2^nd, 4^th

126 – Chase Scribner (Kellogg, 11): 3^rd, 6^th

138 – Colm McLaimtaig (Priest River, 12): 5^th, 1^st

138 – Jack Eddins (Grace, 12): 3^rd, 2^nd

138 – Stellar Tew (West Side, 12): 6^th, 4^th

138 – Jace Waggoner (Tri-Valley, 11): 2^nd, 6^th

145 – Bronc Cordingley (North Fremont, 12): 6^th, 4^th

195 – Elijah Dilworth (Soda Springs, 11): 5^th, 2^nd

220 – Orrin Miller (North Fremont, 12: 3^rd, 2^nd

1X STATE PLACERS

98 – Kole Younger (Grace, 10): State Champion (AA)

98 – Johnny Stovern (Kellogg, 11): 3^rd

98 – Michael Roberts (West Side, 10): 4^th

98 – Kevin Watson (Kellogg, 10): 5^th

98 – Peter Fabbi (Clearwater Valley, 10): 6^th

106 – Colton Storey (Kellogg, 10): 3^rd

106 – Will Osterhout (Declo, 12): 4^th

106 – Cael Newby (Grace, 10): 5^th

106 – Aiden Figueroa (Kellogg, 11): 6^th

113 – Blane Ethington (New Plymouth, 10): 2^nd

113 – Kelby Harvey (St. Maries, 10): 5^th

113 – Henry Thomas (Glenns Ferry, 11): 6^th

113 – Hector Silvas (Firth, 12): 4^th

120 – Jacob Hartle (New Plymouth, 12): 6^th

126 – Carter Brittain (Firth, 12): 3^rd

126 – Sam Willie (Malad, 11): 4^th

126 – Blake Tracy (Raft River, 12): 5^th

132 – Jack Schwendiman (Ririe, 11): 5^th

138 – Drake Morrison (Malad, 10): 3^rd (AA)

138 – Hunter Gamble (Orofino, 11): 5^th

145 – James Hansen (Ririe, 10): State Champion

145 – Oakley Maddox (Malad, 10): 2^nd (AA)

145 – Zayden Garbett (Soda Springs, 10): 5^th

145 – Jerrett Brebner (St. Maries, 11): 6^th

152 – Mac Hall (West Jefferson, 11): 6^th

160 – Aiden Yearout (St. Maries, 11): 3^rd

160 – Toby Walker (Tri-Valley, 12): 4^th

170 – Ashton Allen (Firth, 12): State Champion

170 – Cole Garbett (Soda Springs, 11): 6^th

182 – Brendan Svetich (Melba, 12): 3^rd

182 – Kenyon Adams (Declo, 12): 4^th

182 – Rigin Dixon (Challis, 11): 5^th

182 – Wyatt Moura (Tri-Valley, 11): 6^th

220 – Caleb Grow (Priest River, 12): 5^th

ALL-AMERICANS

Kole Younger (Grace, 10)

Wallace Durfee (Declo, 12)

Drake Morrison (Malad, 10)

Oakley Maddox (Malad, 10)