The 3A wrestling classification, comprising schools with fewer than 349 students, consistently produces exceptional talent, leading to highly competitive team championships. The 2026 season is anticipated to be a fierce battle among two of the top three teams from last year: Malad and Kellogg. Individually, the division boasts significant returning talent, including 57 state placers and 9 state champions.

Malad enters as the preseason favorite to repeat as champions, returning the largest number of state placers. Their team is led by All-Americans and two-time placers Drake Morrison (returning champion) and Oakley Maddox (2025 finalist), each juniors in 2026. Other key returnees aiming for multiple state medals include Jack Willie (Sr.), Porter Mills (Sr.), Jaxon Mills (Soph.), Ayden Potter (Sr.), Wade Clark (Soph.), and Rydon Montgomery (Sr.).

Kellogg, the 2025 third-place team, returns six placers, including state champion Colton Storey (Jr.) and finalists Johnny Stovern (Sr.) and Carsun Hinklemann (Soph.). They are joined by Kevin Watson (Jr.), Chase Scribner (Sr.), and Jayce Haynes (Sr.).

The 3A classification boasts nine returning individual state champions this year, with two athletes in prime position to secure their third career titles. Beyond the champions from Malad, and Kellogg mentioned previously, Grace junior Carter Kimball is the other athlete vying for his third championship. The roster of returning champions is rounded out by West Side sophomore Jake Barzee, senior Henry Thomas of Glenns Ferry, St. Maries senior Aiden Yearout, Tri-Valley senior Eli Noah, and Soda Springs senior Cole Garbett.

Among the 57 returning state placers, several return with state finals experience. They include Jace Waggoner (Sr., Tri-Valley), Elijah Dilworth (Sr., Soda Springs), Peter Fabbi (Jr., Clearwater Valley), Rigin Dixon (Sr., Challis), Bryce Jensen (Sr., North Fremont), Zach David (Sr., St. Maries), and Beau Ringel (Sr., Firth).

Once again, I expect this division to be highly contested with the road to the state championships being a hard fought battle from start to finish. Early season rankings of teams are difficult; a clearer picture of the top five teams will emerge only after lineups and the impact of incoming freshman talent become apparent.

Please note, wrestlers in this preview are listed at weight groups previously competed in at the 2025 State Championships (or prior), which is subject to change during the 2025-’26 season. Below is a list of returning states champions, state placers, and All-Americans. Please advise via email coachal777@gmal.com if there are any missing wrestlers or deletions that should be made from the list below. 

TOP 3A TEAMS TO WATCH:

MALAD (District V)

98 – Jaxon Mills (Malad, 10): 5^th

106 – Jack Willie (Malad, 12): 5^th, 2^nd, 1^st

113 – Ayden Potter (Malad, 12): 5^th

120 – Wade Clark (Malad, 10): 5^th

132 – Porter Mills (Malad, 12): 4^th, 4^th, 6^th

150 – Drake Morrison (Malad, 11): 3^rd, 1^st/All-American

157 – Oakley Maddox (Malad, 11): 2^nd, 3^rd/All-American

190 – Rydon Montgomery (Malad, 12): 5^th

STATE QUALIFIERS

215 – Cam Bingham, 12

KELLOGG (District I)

106 – Johnny Stovern (Kellogg, 12): 3^rd, 2^nd

106 – Kevin Watson (Kellogg, 11): 5^th, 3^rd

113 – Colton Storey (Kellogg, 11): 3^rd, 1^st

120 – Carsun Hinkelmann (Kellogg, 10): 2^nd

138 – Chase Scribner (Kellogg, 12): 3^rd, 6^th

150 – Jayce Haynes (Kellogg, 12): 5^th

STATE QUALIFIERS

113 – Aiden Figueroa, 12

120 – Lowden White, 10

175 – Andrew Lewis, 12

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Ririe (District VI), Soda Springs (District V), St Maries (District I), and Tri-Valley (District III).  

RETURNING STATE PLACERS:

2X STATE CHAMPIONS 

132 – Carter Kimball (Grace, 12) 

1X STATE CHAMPIONS

98 – Jake Barzee (West Side, 10)

106 – Jack Willie (Malad, 12)

113 – Colton Storey (Kellogg, 11)

120 – Henry Thomas (Glenns Ferry, 12)

150 – Drake Morrison (Malad, 11)/All-American

165 - Aiden Yearout (St. Maries, 12)

175 – Eli Noah (Tri-Valley, 12)

215 – Cole Garbett (Soda Springs, 12)

3X STATE PLACERS 

106 – Jack Willie (Malad, 12): 5^th, 2^nd, 1^st

132 – Porter Mills (Malad, 12): 4^th, 4^th, 6^th

150 – Jace Waggoner (Tri-Valley, 12): 2^nd, 6^th, 4^th

190 – Elijah Dilworth (Soda Springs, 12): 5^th, 2^nd, 2^nd

2X STATE PLACERS 

106 – Johnny Stovern (Kellogg, 12): 3^rd, 2^nd

106 – Kevin Watson (Kellogg, 11): 5^th, 3^rd

113 – Colton Storey (Kellogg, 11): 3^rd, 1^st

113 – Peter Fabbi (Clearwater Valley, 11): 6^th, 2^nd

120 – Henry Thomas (Glenns Ferry, 12): 6^th, 1^st

132 – Carter Kimball (Grace, 12): 2x State Champion

132 – Jack Schwendiman (Ririe, 12): 5^th, 2^nd

132 – Kelby Harvey (St. Maries, 11): 5^th, 4^th

138 – Chase Scribner (Kellogg, 12): 3^rd, 6^th

138 – Hunter Gamble (Orofino, 12): 5^th, 5^th

150 – Drake Morrison (Malad, 11): 3^rd, 1^st/All-American

157 – Oakley Maddox (Malad, 11): 2^nd, 3^rd/All-American

165 – Aiden Yearout (St. Maries, 12): 3^rd, 1^st

165 – Mac Hall (West Jefferson, 12): 6^th, 2^nd

175 – Eli Noah (Tri-Valley, 12): 4^th, 1^st

175 – Wyatt Moura (Tri-Valley, 12): 6^th, 6^th

215 – Cole Garbett (Soda Springs, 12): 6^th, 1^st

215 – Rigin Dixon (Challis, 12): 5^th, 2^nd

1X STATE PLACERS

98 – Jake Barzee (West Side, 10): State Champion

98 – Jack Jones (Ririe, 12): 2^nd

98 – Taylor Izzard (Marsing, 10): 4^th

98 – Jaxon Mills (Malad, 10): 5^th

98 – Ryker Spencer (Challis, 10): 6^th

106 – Camden Worthington (Declo, 12): 4^th

106 – Riggins Peterson (Declo, 10): 5^th

106 – Simon Krupp (Soda Springs, 9): 6^th

113 – Teran Tracy (Raft River, 10): 3^rd

113 – Ben Reinke (North Fremont, 11): 4^th

113 – Ayden Potter (Malad, 12): 5^th

113 – Kevin Munoz (West Jefferson, 12): 6^th

120 – Carsun Hinkelmann (Kellogg, 10): 2^nd

120 – Bill Avery (Tri-Valley, 10): 4^th

120 – Wade Clark (Malad, 10): 5^th

126 – Bryce Jensen (North Fremont, 12): 2^nd

126 – Eian Schwecke (Kendrick, 11): 3^rd

126 – Breylon Moon (Ririe, 12): 4^th

138 – Parker Wangsgard (West Side, 12): 4^th

138 – Tanner Labrum (Kamiah, 12): 6^th

144 – Payton Martindale (North Fremont, 12): 5^th

150 – Jayce Haynes (Kellogg, 12): 5^th

157 – Zach David (St. Maries, 12): 2^nd

157 – Kaiser Henne (Nampa Christian, 12): 4^th

157 – Conner Christensen (Clearwater Valley, 11): 6^th

175 – Beau Ringel (Firth, 12): 2^nd

175 – Tannon Nelson (Aberdeen, 12): 3^rd

190 – Elias DeVries (Tri-Valley, 12): 4^th

190 – Rydon Montgomery (Malad, 12): 5^th

215 – Darien Ratzlaff (Priest River, 12): 3^rd

215 – Nolan Darrough (New Plymouth, 11): 4^th

215 – Rawley Babcock (West Jefferson, 12): 6^th

285 – Michael Lizarraga (Firth, 12): 4^th

285 – Robert Fuentes (Declo, 12): 5^th

285 – Will Whittier (Challis, 12): 6^th