The Class 5A (formerly 4A) returns 8 individual State Champions, 44 state placers, and 7 wrestlers with All-American honors. A total of 14 wrestlers are in position to earn a possible third or fourth state medal. Once again, this year’s 5A contingent is well-balanced from the lightest to the heaviest weight groups and features several wrestlers with impressive state and national credentials. As of this writing, the team race is once again between 2024 State Co-Champions Minico and Bishop Kelly (BK) with several other teams battling for a spot in the top five.

A total of 8 wrestlers are in pursuit of an additional individual state title. Leading this talented group is Bishop Kelly’s All-American Matthew Martino (144s) and Preston Sonner-Cranney of Minico (190s). Martino, a Princeton commit is in position to earn a possible fourth state title as well as join his older brother, Christopher, who won four titles from 2019 to 2022, respectively. To date, the state of Idaho has had three sets of brothers achieve this prestigious honor. They include the Lawrence Brothers (Jared and Brett, Sandpoint H.S.), Hobbs Brothers (Sawyer and Hunter, South Fremont H.S.), and Rice Brothers (Joe and Kyle, New Plymouth H.S.). Placing fourth as a freshman, Minico’s Preston Sonner-Cranney (190s) won two titles thereafter and is in pursuit of title number three. Other returning champions include Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly, 106s), Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home, 113s), Carson Leonard (Lakeland, 120s), 3x placer and All-American Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 157s), Sam Buck (Emmett, 285s), and Fargo National Champion/OW Saxton Scott of Idaho Falls, who is also in position to earn a fourth medal.

Other notable wrestlers to watch that are in position to earn a possible fourth state medal are Minico’s Greyson Molina (120s) and Jabyn Kemble of Middleton (126s). Eight additional wrestlers have two state medals to their credit and are vying for number three. They include Mikael Teague (Minico, 106s), Tristan Vega (Burley, 126s), Gabe Pyne (Century, 120s), Ryker Vail (Bonneville, 157s), John Behm (Shelly, 113s), Jaren Knopp (Lakeland, 113s), 2x finalist DJ Neider of Idaho Falls (150s), and Sandpoint’s returning finalist Jordan Tyler (190s), who earlier this season had a solid win over Minico’s Sonner-Cranney at Rollie and is determined to win it all.

The team race in the 5A has been the talk among the Idaho wrestling circles for a majority of this season. The “BIG” question?? Will the team race be as close as it was last season where both Minico and Bishop Kelly finished in a tie (248.0) and shared the championship? Based on share numbers, Minico is the odds on favorite to win it all. For starters, the Spartans return 6 placers and 22 qualifiers overall. Their placers include 2x finalist Mikael Teague (106s), Rodrigo Aceves (113s), Roman Valero (113s), 3x placer Greyson Molina (120s), Landyn Schmidt (138s), and 2x Champion Preston Sonner-Cranney (190s). Additionally, Minico has several state qualifiers that performed well at districts and are expected to make a strong impact. They include District Champions Alex Vega (98s), Jarratt Robinson (132s), Niamiah Naranjo (138s), Tucker Arthur (144s), and Boady Baker (165s), all ranked in the state in their respective weight groups.

Now, let’s take a closer look at Bishop Kelly. Without a doubt, the Knights of BK field a solid group and will definitely challenge for the top spot. Led by 3x State Champion Matthew Martino, they have four additional returning state placers and 13 qualifiers overall. Returning placers include State Champion/All-American Holton Crane (106s), Dylan Dottaviano (113s), returning finalist/All-American Jake Mescher (138s), and 3x placer/All-American Carlos Valdez, who is contending for his second title. Other BK wrestlers expected challenge for a spot on the medal stand are District Champions Davis (98s), Samson Castillo (165s), All-American Tensei Thompson (150s), and runner-up Parker Allumbaugh at 175s.

Other teams challenging for a finish in the top four are Middleton and Lakeland. Coming down from the classification above, Middleton enters this year’s state meet with 3 returning placers and 17 qualifiers overall. The Vikings of Middleton are led by 3x state placer Jabyn Kemble (126s), Christian Segali (120s), and Ryan Lewis (175s), each third place finishers in 2024. In close pursuit is Lakeland with 3 returning placers and 15 qualifiers overall. Returning state placers include Zach Teal (98s), Jaren Knopp (126s), and state champion Carson Leonard at 120s. Keep an eye on Blackfoot, Bonneville, and Century. Each are expected to be in the mix.

This season, I had the opportunity to observe a few talented freshmen (not all inclusive list) who will definitely impact their respective weight groups at state. They include District Champion Davis Reynard (Bishop Kelly, 98s), Cyler Beeson (Middleton, 98s), District Champion Ryker Balmforth of Shelly (120s), and top ranked Samson Castillo of Bishop Kelly at 165s.

All in all, I expect the 5A to be a great team and individual competition this year. The road to the team title is expected to by a bumpy ride from start to finish, but at the end of the day, it will require a full team effort by every wrestler entering the circle this weekend. Below is a comprehensive list of teams to watch, state placers, All-Americans, freshmen to watch, and college commits. Buckle up for the ride!

TOP TEAMS TO WATCH

MINICO (District IV)

98 - Alex Vega (Soph.), District Champion

98 – Dallyn Morris (Fr.), 5^th District

106 - Mikael Teague (Jr.), 2^nd , 2^nd State

113 - Rodrigo Aceves (Jr.), 5^th State ’24

113 - Roman Valero (Soph.), 6^th State ’24

120 - Greyson Molina (Sr.), 5^th, 4^th, 4^th State

120 – Angel Arteaga (Fr.), 4^th District

126 – Ashton Murphy (Soph.), 3^rd District

132 - Jarratt Robinson (Soph.), District Champion

132 – Manuel Juarez (Soph.), 5^th District

138 - Niamiah Naranjo (Jr.), District Champion

138 - Landyn Schmidt (Jr.), 6^th State ’24

144 - Tucker Arthur (Sr.), District Champion

144 – Hunter Halverson (Soph.), 4^th District

150 – Izaak Armendarez (Sr.), 2^nd District

150 - Ryan Pease (Soph.), 3^rd District

157 – Cash Martinez (Sr.), 3^rd District

165 – Boady Baker (Jr.), District Champion

175 – Chase Vail (Sr.), District Champion

190 – Preston Sonner-Cranney (Sr.), 4^th, 1^st, 1^st State

215 – Jaydin Chacon (Sr.), 2^nd District

215 – Francisco Leon (Soph.), 5^th District

BISHOP KELLY (District III)

98 – Davis Reynard (Fr.), District Champion

106 – Holten Crane (Soph.), State Champion ’24

113 – Dylan Dottaviano (Jr.), 5^th State ’24

113 – Grady Noll (Fr.), 4^th District

138 – Jake Mescher (Soph.), 2^nd State ’24 (AA)

144 – Matthew Martino (Sr.), 1^st, 1^st, 1^st State (AA)

144 - Gabriel Costanza (Jr.), 2^nd District

150 – Tensei Thompson (Jr.) #3, District Champion (AA)

157 – Carlos Valdez (Sr.), 4^th, 3^rd, 1^st State (AA)

165 – Samson Castillo (Fr.), District Champion

165 – Brekken Pruett (Sr.), 5^th District

175 – Parker Allumbaugh (Sr.), 2^nd District

215 – Jack Henderson (Soph.), 2^nd District

MIDDLETON (District III)

98 – Cyler Beeson (Fr.), 2^nd District

106 - Caleb Lombardo (Soph.), 3^rd District

113 – Colt Buonviri (Soph.), 2^nd District

120 – Christian Segali (Sr.), 3^rd State ’24

120 – Toby Abbott (Soph.), 2^nd District

126 – Jabyn Kemble (Sr.), 4^th, 3^rd, 6^th State

126 - Cade Gunnell (Sr.), 2^nd District

132 – Jadin Alcala (Fr.), 3^rd District

138 – Porter Hoopes (Sr.), 4^th District

144 – Grant Buonviri (Sr.), 3^rd District

150 – Luke Eager (Jr.), 2^nd District

150 – Evan Sumsion (Sr.), 3^rd District

157 – Hunter Maher (Sr.), 2^nd District

165 – Jaxson Rosti (Soph.), 3^rd District

175 – Ryan Lewis (Jr.), 3^rd State ’24

190 – Russel Moulton (Sr.), 2^nd District

215 – Briar Baughman (Soph.), 3^rd District

LAKELAND (District I-II)

98 – Zach Teal (Soph.), 5^th State ’24

98 – Joziah Koonce (Soph.), 3^rd District

106 – Caleb Adams (Jr.), District Champion

113 – Kade Knopp (Soph.), District Champion

120 – Carson Leonard (Soph.), State Champion ’24

126 – Jaren Knopp (Sr.), 6^th, 5^th State

126 – Kutter O’Brien (Soph.), 3^rd District

138 – Cash Lund (Jr.), 2^nd District  

144 – Cole Cooper (Jr.), District Champion

144 – Ekahi Hamilton (Jr.), 3^rd District

150 – Austin Howell (Sr.), 3^rd District

157 – Kaleb Hammer (Jr.), District Champion

157 - Gage McWatters (Soph.), 2^nd District

165 – Thayer Sabatke (Sr.), District Champion

215 – Ernie Steele (Jr.), 2^nd District

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH - Blackfoot (District VI), Bonneville (District VI), and Century (District V).

3X STATE CHAMPION 

144 - Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 12) (AA)

2X STATE CHAMPIONS

190 - Preston Sonner-Cranney (Minico, 12)

1X STATE CHAMPIONS

106 - Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly, 10) (AA)

113 - Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home, 10)

120 - Carson Leonard (Lakeland, 10)

132 - Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 12) (AA)

157 - Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 12) (AA)

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

3X STATE PLACERS 

144 - Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 12): 1^st, 1^st, 1^st (AA)

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

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

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

120 - Greyson Molina (Minico, 12): 5^th, 4^th, 4^th

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

2X STATE PLACERS 

106 - Mikael Teague (Minico, 11): 2^nd, 2^nd

150 - DJ Neider (Idaho Falls, 12): 2^nd, 2^nd

190 - Jordan Tyler (Sandpoint, 12): 3^rd, 2^nd

120 - Gabe Pyne (Century, 12): 3^rd, 3^rd

126 - Tristan Vega (Burley, 11): 4^th, 3^rd

157 - Ryker Vail (Bonneville, 12): 4^th, 3^rd

113 - John Behm (Shelly, 11): 5^th, 3^rd (AA)

126 - Jaren Knopp (Lakeland, 12): 6^th, 5^th

1X STATE PLACERS 

106 - Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly, 10): State Champion (AA)

113 - Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home, 10): State Champion

120 - Carson Leonard (Lakeland, 10): State Champion

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

113 - Ayden Tokita (Skyline, 10): 2^nd

126 - Rydge Vail (Bonneville, 10): 2^nd

138 - Jake Mescher (Bishop Kelly, 10): 2^nd (AA)

113 - Porter Campbell (Preston, 11): 3^rd

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

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

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

165 - Madix Jones (Bonneville, 12): 3^rd

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

126 - Peyton Keller (Preston, 11): 4^th

138 - Kaden Bunderson (Pocatello, 11): 4^th

157 - Jairo McLean (Century, 11): 4^th

98 - Zack Teal (Lakeland, 10): 5^th

113 - Rodrigo Aceves (Minico, 11): 5^th

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

150 - Tanner Ellis (Blackfoot, 12): 5^th

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

285 - Austin Reeves (Hillcrest, 11): 5^th

113 - Roman Valero (Minico, 10): 6^th

106 - Krew Keller (Preston, 11): 6^th

120 - Jett Hone (Blackfoot, 10): 6^th

138 - Landyn Schmidt (Minico, 11): 6^th

144 - Ty Adams (Blackfoot, 11): 6^th

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

215 - Dawandey Dilus (Blackfoot, 12): 6^th

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

ALL-AMERICANS

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

113 - John Behm (Shelley, 11)

144 - Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 12)

157 - Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 12)

106 - Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly, 10)

138 - Jake Mescher (Bishop Kelly, 10)

150 - Tensei Thompson (Bishop Kelly, 11)

FRESHMEN TO WATCH

98 – Davis Reynard (Bishop Kelly), District Champion

98 – Cyler Beeson (Middleton), 2^nd District

120 – Ryker Balmforth (Shelly), District Champion

165 – Samson Castillo (Bishop Kelly), District Champion

COLLEGE COMMITS

144 – Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly), Princeton University (Division I)

157 - Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly), Eastern Oregon (NAIA)