ORDER GAME PHOTOS

The 2024-’25 season marks the fourth year that the Girls Division is an officially sponsored sport along with the Boys Division. Since the first unofficial open state tournament held in 2019 (Pocatello H.S.), the girls’ participation numbers have increased at an exponential rate and do not appear to be slowing down anytime soon. In fact, since the first official state tournament in 2022, there has been an amazing 126% increase, which at this pace, the numbers are expected to reach levels greater than 1,000 in the very near future.

The following is a snapshot of the girls’ certified participation numbers for the state of Idaho (numbers via Trackwrestling.com). The first set of compiled data is from December 5, 2024, which when compared to the next set from the 2023-’24 season, provides the percentage change for each graduating class as well as overall totals for the last year. Furthermore, the final set highlights the data from 2022 to present. Surprisingly, when compared to the national numbers during the same time period, the state of Idaho is more than correlating in the same upward trajectory (see below).

CERTIFIED IDAHO HS GIRLS – 12/5/2024

• Freshman – 270 (3.57% decrease)
• Sophomores – 238 (6.25% increase)
• Juniors – 218 (11% increase)
• Seniors – 155 (10% increase)
• Total – 881 (5% increase)

CERTIFIED IDAHO HS GIRLS – 2023-’24 Season

• Freshmen – 280
• Sophomores – 224
• Juniors – 196
• Seniors – 141
• Total – 841

CERTIFIED IDAHO HS GIRLS – Since first official state tournament in 2022

• 2024-’25 – 881 (5% increase)
• 2023-’24 – 841 (69% increase)
• 2022-’23 – 499 (28% increase)
• 2021-’22 – 390

NOTE: Overall increase of 126% in Idaho from 2022 to 2024.

The following data was compiled by the National Federation of High School sports (NFHS) and highlights the girls’ total participation numbers in the United States. Based on the data below, the percentage change since 2022 has increased exponentially and continues to correlate on an upward trajectory. In sum, the participation numbers have increased by 103% in only a couple years.  

NFHS TOTAL PARTICIPATION NUMBERS IN UNITED STATES (GIRLS)

• 2023-’24 – 64,257: 28% increase since ’23
• 2022-’23 – 50,016: 58% increase since ’22
• 2021-’22 – 31,654

NOTE: 103% nation-wide increase from 2022 to 2024.

As of this writing, there is no clear cut team favorite entering the 2024-’25 season. Based on the number of returning state placers and qualifiers, the following schools are expected to be in the mix: Thunder Ridge, Mountain Home, American Falls, Lewiston, Kuna, Rocky Mountain, Canyon Ridge, and Bonners Ferry. 

The top individuals include 2x state champions/All-Americans Elise Twait (Meridian, Sr.) and Amie Hartman (Mountain Home, Sr.). Other returning state champions in pursuit of number two are Raelynn O’Connor (Salmon, Sr.), Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain, Jr./All-American), three-time placer and All-American Joely Slyter (Lewiston, Sr.), Olivia Bezdicek (Jerome, So./All-American), Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot, So./All-American), Courtney Hunt (American Falls, Jr./All-American), Roxy Sheen (Buhl, So./All-American), Rianna Walter (Canyon Ridge, Sr.), and Shauna Anderson (Thunder Ridge, Jr.).

Other wrestlers to watch include three-time placer/All-American Zoe Fries (Kuna, Sr.), two-time placers Lydia Townsend (Marsh Valley, Jr.), Aly Stewart (Ririe, Sr.), Rihanna Mora (Vallivue, Sr./All-American), Makayla Smith (Mountain Home, Sr.), Kasia Hanks (Burley, Sr.), Keira Zimmerman (Moscow, Sr.), Josie Newby (Grace, Sr./All-American), Kyler Scott (Century, Jr.), Haley McNeal (Potlatch, Sr.), Brooklyn Anderson (Coeur d’ Alene, Jr.), Emry Woods (Eagle, Sr.), and finalists Gracie Price (Thunder Ridge, So.) and Eva Wilis (Bonners Ferry, So.).

Prior to this writing, the sixth annual Ardis Nash Memorial took place at Homedale High School. This competition featured several returning state champions and placers in addition to a sneak preview of incoming freshmen that will challenge for a medal at state. These freshmen include Lola Colo (Nampa, 100s), Zaiden Espinoza (Mountain Home, 114s), Whitney Cawthra (Rocky Mountain, 120s), Matti Bidiman (Homedale, 126s), Olivia Gutierrez (Jerome, 126s), Jasmine Carpenter (Buhl, 132s), and Charlee Noah of Tri-Valley, who in the finals beat returning state champion Talea Nichols of Rocky Mountain (Jr.). Other freshman to watch include Kahli Brown (Post Falls, 138s), Isabella Rice (Post Falls, 120s), Kooper Bugner (Lewiston, 114s), Zuri Tavarez (South Fremont, 126s), and Maritza Medina (Caldwell).

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. 

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.

2X STATE CHAMPIONS

152 – Elise Twait (Meridian, 12) (AA)

235 – Amie Hartman (Mountain Home, 12) (AA)

1X STATE CHAMPIONS

100 – Raelynn O’Connor (Salmon, 12)

114 – Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain, 11) (AA)

114 – Joely Slyter (Lewiston, 12) ’23 (AA)

120 – Olivia Bezdicek (Jerome, 10) (AA)

126 – Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot, 10) (AA)

132 – Courtney Hunt (American Falls, 11) (AA)

138 – Roxy Sheen (Buhl, 10) (AA)

165 – Rianna Walter (Canyon Ridge, 12)

185 – Shauna Anderson (Thunder Ridge, 11)

3X STATE PLACERS

114 – Joely Slyter (Lewiston, 12): 6^th, 1^st, 2^nd (AA)

138 – Zoe Fries (Kuna, 12): 3^rd, 3^rd, 2^nd (AA)

235 – Amie Hartman (Mountain Home, 12): 2^nd, 1^st, 1^st (AA)

2X STATE PLACERS

100 – Raelynn O’Connor (Salem, 12): 3^rd, 1^st

107 – Lydia Townsend (Marsh Valley, 11): 4^th, 3^rd

107 – Aly Stewart (Ririe, 12): 5^th, 5^th

114 – Rihanna Mora (Vallivue, 12): 6^th, 4^th (AA)

114 – Makayla Smith (Mountain Home, 12): 3^rd, 4^th

126 – Kasia Hanks (Burley, 12): 6^th, 2^nd

126 – Keira Zimmerman (Moscow, 12): 3^rd, 4^th

132 – Courtney Hunt (American Falls, 11): 2^nd, 1^st (AA)

132 – Josie Newby (Grace, 12): 3^rd, 5^th (AA)

138 – Kyler Scott (Century, 11): 3^rd, 3^rd

152 – Elise Twait (Meridian, 12): 1^st, 1^st (AA)

152 – Hayley McNeal (Potlatch, 12): 4^th, 2^nd

152 – Brooklyn Anderson (Coeur d’ Alene, 11): 5^th, 3^rd

165 – Rianna Walter (Canyon Ridge, 12): 3^rd, 1^st

185 – Shauna Anderson (Thunder Ridge, 11): 2^nd, 1^st

235 – Emry Woods (Eagle, 12): 5^th, 4^th

1X STATE PLACERS

100 – Gracie Price (Thunder Ridge, 10): 2^nd

100 – Brooke Hensley (Skyline, 12): 3^rd

100 – Ava Bui (Centennial, 10): 4^th

100 – Taylor Drake (Kuna, 10): 6^th

107 – Ali Svancara (Buhl, 10): 4^th

107 – Vanessa Ortiz (Glenns Ferry, 10): 6^th

114 – Kinzie Williams (American Falls, 10): 3^rd

114 – Shelby Smith (Ririe, 12): 6^th

120 – Olivia Bezdicek (Jerome, 12): State Champion (AA)

120 – Alexxis Johnson (Lake City, 12): 4^th

120 – Emma Garman (Sandpoint, 12): 6^th

126 – Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot, 10): State Champion (AA)

126 – Shelby Prather (Potlatch, 12): 5^th

126 – Elyse Asaro (Rocky Mountain, 11): 6^th

132 – Hallie Esmiol (Centennial, 12): 4^th

132 – Sofia Brown (Bonners Ferry, 12): 5^th

138 – Roxy Sheen (Buhl, 10): State Champion (AA)

138 – Taylor Williams (Kimberly, 10): 5^th

138 – Megan Myers (Clearwater Valley, 11): 6^th

145 – Celestial Westover (West Side, 12): 5^th

145 – Izzy Davis (Kellogg, 12): 6^th

152 – Gracin Dennis (Emmett, 12): 5^th

185 – Eva Wilis (Bonners Ferry, 10): 2^nd

185 – Josslyn Blair (Jerome, 12): 5^th

185 – Emma Rivera (Lewiston, 12): 6^th

235 – Reece Moody (Rocky Mountain, Sr.): 3^rd ’23

235 – Olivia Silvester (Thunder Ridge, 10): 4^th

235 – Lili Marti (Sandpoint, 11): 6^th

ALL-AMERICANS

Joely Slyter (Lewiston, 12)

Rihanna Mora (Vallivue, 12)

Olivia Bezdicek (Jerome, 10)

Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot, 10)

Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain, 11)

Courtney Hunt (American Falls, 11)

Josie Newby (Grace, 12)

Roxy Sheen (Buhl, 10)

Zoe Fries (Kuna, 12)

Elise Twait (Meridian, 12)

Amie Hartman (Mountain Home, 12)