In the 2025 4A state championships, Fruitland delivered a dominant performance, securing two individual titles and 14 total placers to finish 66 points ahead of runner-up American Falls. For the upcoming 2026 season, American Falls is the preseason favorite, returning a large and experienced contingent from last year's strong team. Their lineup is spearheaded by senior All-American Nathan Gugelman II, a Utah Valley University commit poised to win a rare fourth consecutive state title.

Gugelman II is supported by fellow All-Americans and returning state champions, juniors Onyx Kunsaitis and Blaise Turner. The team is further bolstered by five more returning state medalists: senior All-American Wade Williams, sophomore Zane Fabrizius, seniors Chance Povey, Kai Christiansen, Evan Simms, and Titus Dillow. Additionally, American Falls brings back six other wrestlers who have state-level experience, making them the clear team to beat.

After American Falls, the race for the team trophy looks fiercely competitive, with several strong teams poised to contend. These include Snake River, Homedale, South Fremont, Buhl, and Fruitland, all of whom have the returning roster depth needed to compete at a competitive level. Marsh Valley and Weiser are also teams to watch closely.

A solid number of returning wrestlers are aiming for a second 4A state title this season. The list of challengers includes: Jakobe Valle (Soph., Homedale), Kole Younger (Jr., Marsh Valley), All-American Greysen Packer (Soph., So. Fremont), Trevor Paynter (Jr., Homedale), Marcus Aleman (Sr., Fruitland), Kelton Reynolds (Sr., Snake River), and Raidyn Pugsley (Jr., Buhl).

Fifty-eight state medalists return this year, setting the stage for high competition. Several experienced finalists are expected to contend for the top position, including: Wyatt Carey (Sr., Timberlake), Gus Packer (Soph., Snake River), Braelyn Arredondo (Soph., Homedale), Tyson Cobb (Jr., Weiser), Kysen Mackenzie (Jr., Fruitland), Fabi Pierce (Sr., Buhl), Taylor Dodd (Jr., Bonners Ferry), and All-American Kace Fullmer (Jr., Teton).

American Falls is again the preseason favorite for the top spot, but several other programs pose a challenge for the team trophy. The battle for a top-four finish will be tough throughout the season. Key factors, such as the performance of promising freshmen and improvement from experienced state participants, could change the dynamic of the team race as the season progresses.

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 4A TEAMS TO WATCH:

AMERICAN FALLS (District V)

98 – Zane Fabrizius, 10 (5^th)

106 – Chance Povey, 12 (2^nd, 5^th)

120 – Kai Christiansen, 11 (5^th)

132 – Evan Simms, 12 (4^th, 4^th)

138 – Wade Williams, 12 (3^rd, 2^nd)/All-American

144 – Onyx Kunsaitis, 11 (4^th, 1^st)/All-American

150 – Nathan Gugelman II, 12 (1^st, 1^st, 1^st)/All-American

157 – Titus Dillow, 12 (5^th)

190 – Blaise Turner, 11 (3^rd, 1^st)/All-American

STATE QUALIFIERS

126 – Johnny Rosales, 10

138 – Brian Lopez, 12

150 – Aaron Cruces, 10

215 – Jesse Jones, 10

285 – Aaron Vega, 12

285 – Lucas Hartley, 11

SNAKE RIVER (District V)

98 – Gus Packer, 10 (2^nd)

113 – Gage Reynolds, 11 (3^rd, 5^th)

120 – Colt Thompson, 10 (6^th)

126 – Kelton Reynolds, 12 (1^st, 3^rd)

144 – Logan Marshall, 11 (4^th)

157 – Clancy Howell, 12 (5^th, 3^rd)

285 – Lynden Stone, 12 (4^th)

STATE QUALIFIERS

98 – Morris Heib, 10

120 – Joseph West, 12

138 – Mac Belnap, 11

175 – Ryker Thomas, 11

175 – Kyle Anderson, 12

190 – Jonas Bishop, 11

215 – Garrett Patten, 10

285 – Malachi Egbert, 11

HOMEDALE  (District III)

98 – Jakobe Valle, 10 (State Champion)

98 – Ryker Layne, 12 (3^rd)

106 – Porter Swan, 10 (3^rd)

113 – Trevor Paynter, 11 (1^st, 2^nd)

126 – Braelyn Arredondo, 10 (2^nd)

STATE QUALIFIERS

106 – Tallyn Gray, 10

113 – Wade Ingram, 10

120 – Gonzalo Cuevas, 11

126 – Asa Black, 10

132 – Lane Zehr, 12

138 – Wylee Bidiman, 12

150 – Nathan Marston, 12

215 – Grady Walgamott, 12

SOUTH FREMONT (District VI)

113 – Greysen Packer, 10 (State Champion)/All-American

113 – Carson Peebles, 10 (4^th)

175 – Kelton Ricks, 12 (6^th) 

190 – Weston Staley, 12 (6^th)

STATE QUALIFIERS

106 – Riggs Banta, 10

120 – Bryson Robles, 12

120 – Rayce Wilson, 10

138 – Cristopher Pena, 12

144 – Tripp Bauer, 12

BUHL (District IV)

138 – Raidyn Pugsley, 11 (2^nd, 1^st)

157 – Fabi Pierce, 12 (2^nd, 2^nd)

215 – Caleb Carpenter, 11 (3^rd)

STATE QUALIFIERS

113 – Caleb Woll 11

120 – Gavin Davenport, 11

126 – Kannon Gabrel, 11

132 – Dryssen Loos, 12

144 – Walter Olsen, 12

150 – Javier Dominguez, 12

157 – Maisen Brown, 11

175 – Titus Finley, 11

190 – Keaton Thomas, 12

FRUITLAND (District III)

120 – Marcus Aleman, 12 (2^nd, 3^rd, 1^st)

138 – Kysen MacKenzie, 11 (2^nd, 4^th)

285 – Levi Morales, 11 (3^rd)

STATE QUALIFIERS

120 – Wyatt Griffith, 11

126 – Logan Vaughn, 10

132 – Jayden Bixby, 10

144 – Kobie Baxter, 11

150 – Cooper Owens, 10

285 – Alex Arredondo, 11

MARSH VALLEY (District V)

106 – Kole Younger, 11 (State Champion)

113 – Hunter Solomon, 11 (4^th, 3^rd)

126 – Jed Townsend, 12 (5^th, 6^th)

STATE QUALIFIERS

113 – Shade Wilde, 10

132 – Luke Schoeder, 11

157 – Chase Marshall, 11

165 – Cove Olsen, 11

175 – Kash Rhead, 12

WEISER (District III)

132 – Charlie Nevarez, 12 (5^th, 5^th)

132 – Cole Ingle, 12 (3^rd)

138 – Klete Cook, 11 (6^th)

144 – Tyson Cobb, 11 (2^nd) 

285 – Kaiden Peck, 12 (5^th)

STATE QUALIFIERS

113 – Eric Ramirez, 11

113 – Wyatt Black, 11

120 – Kash Williams, 10

138 – Wyatt Wrenfrow, 10

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Sugar-Salem (Dist. VI), Teton (Dist. VI), and Timberlake (Dist. I).

RETURNING STATE PLACERS:

3X STATE CHAMPION 

150 – Nathan Gugelman II (American Falls, 12)/All-American

1X STATE CHAMPIONS 

98 – Jakobe Valle (Homedale, 10)

106 – Kole Younger (Marsh Valley, 11) 

113 – Greysen Packer (South Fremont, 10)/All-American

113 – Trevor Paynter (Homedale, 11) ’24 

120 – Marcus Aleman (Fruitland, 12)

126 – Kelton Reynolds (Snake River, 12) ’24 

138 –  Raidyn Pugsley (Buhl, 11)

144 – Onyx Kunsaitis (American Falls, 11)/All-American

190 – Blaise Turner (American Falls, 11)/All-American

3X STATE PLACERS 

106 – Wyatt Carey (Timberlake, 12): 3^rd, 2^nd, 2^nd

120 – Marcus Aleman (Fruitland, 12): 2^nd, 3^rd, 1^st

150 – Nathan Gugelman II (American Falls, 12): 1^st, 1^st, 1^st/All-American

2X STATE PLACERS 

106 – Chance Povey (American Falls, 12): 2^nd, 5^th

113 – Trevor Paynter (Homedale, 11): 1^st, 2^nd

113 – Gage Reynolds (Snake River, 11): 3^rd, 5^th

113 – Hunter Solomon (Marsh Valley, 11): 4^th, 3^rd

126 – Kelton Reynolds (Snake River, 12): 1^st, 3^rd

126 – Jed Townsend (Marsh Valley, 12): 5^th, 6^th

132 – Evan Simms (American Falls, 12): 4^th, 4^th

132 – Charlie Nevarez (Weiser, 12): 5^th, 5^th

138 – Raidyn Pugsley (Buhl, 11): 2^nd, 1^st

138 – Kysen MacKenzie (Fruitland, 11): 2^nd, 4^th

138 – Wade Williams (American Falls, 12): 3^rd, 2^nd/All-American

144 – Onyx Kunsaitis (American Falls, 11): 4^th, 1^st/All-American

157 – Fabi Pierce (Buhl, 12): 2^nd, 2^nd

157 – Clancy Howell (Snake River, 12): 5^th, 3^rd

165 – Kace Fullmer (Teton, 11): 5^th, 2^nd/All-American

190 – Blaise Turner (American Falls, 11): 3^rd, 1^st/All-American

285 – Taylor Dodd (Bonners Ferry, 11): 4^th, 2^nd

1X STATE PLACERS

98 – Jakobe Valle (Homedale, 10): State Champion

98 – Gus Packer (Snake River, 10): 2^nd

98 – Ryker Layne (Homedale, 12): 3^rd

98 – Colton D`Avanzo (Timberlake, 11): 4^th

98 – Zane Fabrizius (American Falls, 10): 5^th

98 – Tason Banta (Sugar-Salem, 11): 6^th

106 – Kole Younger (Marsh Valley, 11): 1^st

106 – Porter Swan (Homedale, 10): 3^rd

106 – Chance Povey (American Falls, 12): 5^th

106 – Ross McPherson (Bear Lake, 10): 6^th

113 – Greysen Packer (South Fremont, 10): State Champion/All-American

113 – Carson Peebles (South Fremont, 10): 4^th

113 – Ridge Adams (Teton, 10): 6^th

120 – Kai Christiansen (American Falls, 11): 5^th

120 – Colt Thompson (Snake River, 10): 6^th

126 – Braelyn Arredondo (Homedale, 10): 2^nd

132 – Cole Ingle (Weiser, 12): 3^rd

138 – Ezra Gillette (Gooding, 10): 5^th 

138 – Klete Cook (Weiser, 11): 6^th

144 – Tyson Cobb (Weiser, 11): 2^nd 

144 – Logan Marshall (Snake River, 11): 4^th 

144 – Jett Atchley (Teton, 10): 5^th

150 – Koen Barendregt (Kimberly, 12): 3^rd

150 – Chris Schmidt (Timberlake, 11): 5^th

157 – Titus Dillow (American Falls, 12): 5^th

165 – Joseph Torr (Timberlake, 10): 6^th

175 – John Spilotros (McCall-Donnelly, 12): 5^th 

175 – Kelton Ricks (South Fremont, 12): 6^th 

190 – Gabe Scott (Gooding, 12): 4^th

190 – Kimball Tonks (Sugar-Salem, 12): 5^th 

190 – Weston Staley (South Fremont, 12): 6^th

215 – Caleb Carpenter (Buhl, 11): 3^rd

215 – Talon Heinley (Payette, 11): 5^th

285 – Levi Morales (Fruitland, 11): 3^rd

285 – Lynden Stone (Snake River, 12): 4^th

285 – Kaiden Peck (Weiser, 12): 5^th