ORDER GAME PHOTOS

According to latest United States Census Bureau estimates, the Gem State of Idaho surpassed the population mark of two million residence. Considering our small population size (ranked #39 nationally), the sport of wrestling in Idaho continues to advance and perform very well at the national prep level and has also represented internationally. Per capita, Idaho is among the top small school states in the country. For example, since 2021, Team Idaho has produced a state record number of All-American honors at the Fargo Nationals in Freestyle and Greco-Roman, won the Junior Greco title in 2023 in addition to several national folkstyle team titles, and with the recent performances at the USAW Folkstyle Nationals has brought home nearly 180 All-American honors overall in the last several years (sum total of all age group divisions). Internationally, Princeton commit Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly) earned two Gold medals (Freestyle/Greco) and “Outstanding Wrestler” honors at the U15 Pan American Championships while recent graduates Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly/Lehigh University), Aden Attao (Borah/Oregon State), Derek Matthews (Declo), and Shilo Jones (Mountain View/North Dakota State) have earned spots on world teams or medaled at the Pan Am and World Championships.

Unquestionably, Idaho is producing a significant number of Gems each year (a handful being Hidden Gems) and in return collegiate level coaches are taking notice. With this in mind, the probability of a high school wrestler advancing to the collegiate level is far lower than the public generally understands. According to a 2020 study performed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (estimated probability study for all high school sports), just over 1% of high school wrestlers (Boys) in the United States continue their mat careers at the NCAA Division I level; whereas, the remaining divisions are slightly less or greater than (NCAA Division II: < 1.0% / NCAA Division III: 1.2% / NAIA: <1.0%). The numbers in the girl’s division are similar in statistical terms, but due to the recent growth trends, the statistical number oftentimes fluctuates.

The Class of 2025 is represented by 68 wrestlers committed to compete next fall for college programs spanning the entire nation with a significant number headed to the Junior College and NAIA divisions, respectively. Three of Idaho’s top tier wrestlers in the boy’s division will be heading to the NCAA Division I. They include multi-State Champions/All-Americans Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls) and Rider Sequine of Post Falls, each committed to California State Bakersfield. They are joined by 4x State Champion/All-American Matthew Martino, the 2025 recipient of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, who will be joining his brother Christopher at Princeton University.

A total of five wrestlers committed to programs in the NCAA Division II. Together, this group has earned a combined seven state titles with nineteen medals overall. They include All-American Draven Johns (Caldwell/St. Cloud State), Gabriel Cox (New Plymouth/Western Colorado), Jabyn Kemble (Middleton/Western Colorado), Alijah Macias (Nampa/Menlo College), and Gabe Muilenburg (Glenns Ferry/Colorado St. Pueblo).

The NAIA division is represented well with twelve commits overall.  Among the top programs in the NAIA, Providence University, secured commitments from four top Idaho recruits. Leading this talented group is 4x State Champion/All-American Boden Banta of South Fremont High School. He is joined by 3x State Champion/All American Kaden MacKenzie (Fruitland), Mason Aiken (American Falls), and Gabe Finley (Buhl), each 2x State Champions. Additionally, State Champions Kash Cobb and Luke Sarich of Weiser are headed to Missouri Valley while 2x state placer Tanner Ellis (Blackfoot) and 2x State Champion/All-American Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly) are headed to Eastern Oregon University.  Rounding out this talented group is 2x State Champion/All-American Jeremiah Gonzalez of Meridian (Southern Oregon), Filer’s State Champ/All-American Koy Orr (Life University), multiple placer Jean Luc-Guerrera (Mountain View) headed to Saint Ambrose University, and Rigby’s Canyon Scott (William Penn University).

The bulk of Idaho’s commits are heading to the NJCAA at North Idaho College (NIC). Accordingly, NIC Head Coach Derrick Booth and staff are bringing in a solid group of incoming freshman. Leading this group of eight is a pair of 3x State Champions/All-Americans in Wallace Durfee (Declo) and Seth Martin of Post Falls. They are joined by State Champions Jordan Tyler of Sandpoint and Priest River’s Colm McLaimtaig. The remaining NIC commits have earned a combined nine state medals to their credit. They are Coeur d’ Alene’s Colton Tucker, Carson Hyde of Skyline, Kendall Sage and Trey Valente, each of Post Falls. Other JUCO commits include All-American Chaz Ponton (Mountain View/Western Wyoming CC), Kyle VanVleet (Kellogg/Western Wyoming CC), Ryker Vail (Bonneville/Big Bend CC), Gunnar Whitlock (Lewiston/Colorado Northwestern), and Axxel Landon of Bonneville headed to Iowa Western.

To date, I am aware of two Idaho wrestlers from the Class of 2026 that have committed thus far. They are 3x State Champion/All-American Nathan Gugelman II of American Falls, who is committed to Utah Valley to compete for Coach Adam Hall and Shelly’s two-time state placer/All-American Johnny Behm committed to Tiffin University (DII) in Ohio. For more detail, see full list of commits below.

In the Girl’s division, Idaho represents well with a significant number headed to the NAIA (8 total). Leading this contingent includes three top tier wrestlers with a combined 8 state titles, 11 state medals, and multiple All-American honors to their credit. They include Joely Slyter of Lewiston, the 2025 recipient of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award followed by 3x State Champions/All-Americans Elise Twait of Meridian (Providence) and Mountain Home’s Amie Hartman committed to Dickinson State University (NAIA). Committed to Colorado Mesa (Div. II) is state placer Kiera Hersel (Rocky Mountain), a senior leader among Rocky’s first state championship team this season.  Other top tier commits include state medalists Hayley McNeal of Potlatch headed to Wesleyan University (Div. III), Kuna’s Zoe Fries (Missouri Baptist, NAIA), and 2x state champion Raelynn O’Connor of Salmon committed to Hastings College (NAIA) in Nebraska.

Below is a comprehensive list of Idaho’s college commits, which also includes wrestlers headed to club programs that compete in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA), such as Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon and the University of Idaho.  Additionally, I  breakdown the commits by state champions, multi-state placers, state divisions, as well as All-Americans (Stats include two 2026 commits). This talented group spans throughout the five regions of the state with Boise Metro producing 36% of the commits (boys/girls) followed by Northern (27%), South Central (13%), Southeast (13%), and Central at 11% (see state diagram for more detail). Congratulations to all Idaho wrestlers taking our great sport to the next level.

If I have missed anyone, please bring this information to my attention by emailing me at coachal777@gmail.com.

A CLOSER LOOK AT IDAHO’S 2025 COLLEGE COMMITS

COLLEGE DIVISIONS (B)

NCAA Division I: 4*

NCAA Division II: 6*

NAIA: 12

NJCAA: 13

NCWA Club: 18

STATE CHAMPIONS (B)

4x State Champions: 2

3x State Champions: 5

2x State Champions: 9

1x State Champions: 7

STATE PLACERS/QUALIFIERS (B)

4x State Placers: 18

3x State Placers: 7

2x State Placers: 6

1x State Placers: 5

State Qualifiers (SQ): 12

Non SQs: 3

IDAHO DIVISIONS (B)

6A Division: 15

5A Division: 13

4A Division: 15

3A (2A/1A) Division: 8

ALL-AMERICANS (B): 12

COLLEGE DIVISIONS (G)

NCAA Division II: 1

NCAA Division III: 1

NAIA: 8

NJCAA: 1

NCWA Club: 6

STATE CHAMPIONS (G)

3x State Champions: 2

2x State Champions: 2

STATE PLACERS/QUALIFIERS (G)

4x State Placers: 3

3x State Placers: 3

2x State Placers: 1

1x State Placers: 5

State Qualifiers (SQ): 3

Non SQs: 2

IDAHO DIVISIONS (G)

6A Division: 6

5A Division: 6

4A Division: N/A

3A (2A/1A) Division: 5

ALL-AMERICANS (G): 4

SCHOOL WITH THE MOST COMMITS: Post Falls High School (6A)

Rider Sequine – Cal State Bakersfield (NCAA DI)

Kendall Sage – North Idaho College (NJCAA)

Seth Martin – North Idaho College (NJCAA)

Trey Valente – North Idaho College (NJCAA)

Cloe Thomas – Friends University (NAIA-W)

COMMITS BY IDAHO REGION (Boys/Girls)*

Boise Metro: 25

Central: 8

Northern: 19

South Central: 9

Southeast: 9

*Includes (2) 2026 commits.

CLASS OF 2025

NCAA DIVISION I

Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly, 5A), Princeton (4x State Champion)/ALL-AMERICAN

Saxton Scott (Idaho Falls, 5A), Cal State Bakersfield (2x State Champion, 3^rd, 2^nd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Rider Sequine (Post Falls, 6A), Cal State Bakersfield (3x State Champion, 2^nd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

NCAA DIVISION II

Gabriel Cox (New Plymouth, 3A), Western Colorado Univ. (2x State Champion, 5^th, 4^th State)

Draven Johns (Caldwell, 6A), St. Cloud State (State Champion, 3^rd, 2^nd, 3^rd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Jabyn Kemble (Middleton, 5A), Western Colorado Univ. (State Champion, 4^th, 3^rd, 6^th State)

Alijah Macias (Nampa, 6A), Menlo College (2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th State)

Gabe Muilenburg (Glenns Ferry, 3A), Colorado St. Pueblo (3x State Champion, 2^nd State)

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (NAIA)

Mason Aiken (American Falls, 4A), University of Providence (2x State Champion, 4^th, 2^nd State)

Boden Banta (South Fremont, 4A), University of Providence (4x State Champion)/ALL-AMERICAN

Kash Cobb (Weiser, 4A), Missouri Valley (2x State Champion, 5^th State)

Tanner Ellis (Blackfoot, 5A), Eastern Oregon (5^th, 3^rd State)

Gabe Finley (Buhl, 4A), Univ. of Providence (2x State Champion, 2^nd, 4^th State)

Jeremiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 6A), Southern Oregon (2x State Champion, 2^nd, 2^nd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Noah Ingram (Madison, 6A), Wayland Baptist (6th, 4th, 2nd State)

Jean Luc-Guerra (Mountain View, 6A), Saint Ambrose University (4^th, 4^th, 2^nd State)

Kaden MacKenzie (Fruitland, 4A), University of Providence (3x State Champion, 2^nd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Koy Orr (Filer, 4A), Life University (State Champion, 2^nd, 3^rd, 2^nd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Luke Sarich (Weiser, 4A), Missouri Valley (State Champion, 3^rd State)

Canyon Scott (Rigby, 6A), William Penn University (SQ)

Carlos Valdez (Bishop Kelly, 5A), Eastern Oregon (2x State Champion, 4^th, 3^rd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Kyle Vanvleet (Kellogg, 3A), William Woods University (5^th State)

NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (NJCAA)

Wallace Durfee (Declo, 3A), North Idaho College (3x State Champion, 3^rd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Carson Hyde (Skyline, 4A), North Idaho College (SQ)

Axxel Landon (Bonneville, 5A), Iowa Western CC (SQ)

Seth Martin (Post Falls, 6A), North Idaho College (3x State Champion, 4^th State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Colm McLaimtaig (Priest River, 3A), North Idaho College (2x State Champion, 5^th State)

Chaz Ponton (Mountain View, 6A), Western Wyoming CC (6^th, 3^rd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Kendall Sage (Post Falls, 6A), North Idaho College (6^th, 4^th, 4^th State)

Colton Tucker (Coeur d’ Alene, 6A), North Idaho College (State Champion, 3^rd State)

Jorden Tyler (Sandpoint, 5A), North Idaho College (State Champion, 3^rd, 2^nd State)

Ryker Vail (Bonneville, 5A), Big Bend CC (4^th, 3^rd, 3^rd, 2^nd State)

Trey Valente (Post Falls, 6A), North Idaho College (5^th, 3^rd, 2^nd, 4^th State)

Gunnar Whitlock (Lewiston, 5A), Colorado Northwestern CC (6^th, 4^th State)

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE WRESTLING ASSOCIATION (NCWA CLUB)

Aiden Anguiano (Blackfoot, 4A), Treasure Valley CC (SQ)

Briley Arnett (Timberlake, 4A), University of Idaho (6^th State)

Jahir Cervantes (Weiser, 4A), Treasure Valley CC (SQ)

Zachariah Eneas (Lapwai, 3A), Treasure Valley CC

Benjamin Johnson (Potlatch, 3A), University of Idaho (SQ)

Danny Leming (Eagle, 6A), Treasure Valley CC

Tygren Lopez (Fruitland, 4A), Treasure Valley CC (State Champion, 4^th Oregon/6^th ID State)

Fisher Matlick (Owyhee, 5A), University of Idaho (SQ)

Ryan Matysek (Ridgevue, 6A), University of Idaho (SQ)

Finnegan Moon (McCall-Donnley, 3A), University of Idaho (6^th State)

Jose Rexach, Jr (Borah, 6A), Treasure Valley CC

Avery Riggs (McCall-Donnelly, 4A), University of Idaho (SQ)

King David Rhodes (Lewiston, 5A), University of Idaho (SQ)

Brit Sorenson (Bonneville, 5A), Utah Tech. (5^th State)

Aidan Prakash (Moscow, 5A), University of Idaho (5^th State)

Gavin Walters (Sandpoint, 5A), University of Idaho (6^th State)

Nathan Willoughby (New Plymouth, 2A/1A), Treasure Valley CC (2x State Champion)

Jordan Woodies (Owyhee, 6A), University of Idaho (SQ)

NCAA DIVISION II (G)

Kiera Hersel (Rocky Mountain, 6A), Colorado Mesa University (3^rd State)

NCAA DIVISION III (G)

Hayley McNeal (Potlatch, 3A), Illinois Wesleyan (4^th, 2^nd, 2^nd State)

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (G)

Izzy Davis (Kellogg, 3A), Dickinson State University (6^th State)

Zoe Fries (Kuna, 6A), Missouri Baptist Univ. (3^rd, 3^rd, 2^nd, 2^nd State)

Amie Hartman (Mountain Home, 5A), Dickinson State University (3x State Champion, 2^nd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Lizzy Hodges (Capital, 6A), Eastern Oregon (6^th State)

Raelynn O’Connor (Salmon, 3A), Hastings College (2x State Champion, 3^rd State)

Joely Slyter (Lewiston, 5A), Providence University (2x State Champion, 6^th, 2^nd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Chloe Thomas (Post Falls, 6A), Friends University (SQ)

Elise Twait (Meridian, 6A), University of Providence (3x State Champion)/ALL-AMERICAN

NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (G)

Kathryn Christensen (West Side, 3A), Snow College (2^nd State)

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE WRESTLING ASSOCIATION – CLUB (G)           

Kaylee Apodoca (Columbia, 5A), Treasure Valley CC (SQ)

Angela Aviles (Vallivue, 5A), University of Idaho

De Ci Aye (New Plymouth, 3A), Treasure Valley CC

Gracin Dennis (Emmitt, 5A), Treasure Valley CC (5^th, 2^nd State)/ALL-AMERICAN

Emma Rivera (Lewiston, 5A), Treasure Valley CC (6^th State)

Marlie Skidmore (Owyhee, 6A), Treasure Valley CC (SQ)

CLASS OF 2026

NCAA DIVISION I

Nathan Gugelman II (American Falls, 4A), Utah Valley University (3x State Champion)/ALL-AMERICAN

NCAA DIVISION II

Johnny Behm (Shelly, 5A), Tiffin University (3^rd, 5^th State)/ALL-AMERICAN