The team title chase is shaping up to be a duel between 2025 champions Bishop Kelly and runner-up Minico, mirroring the tight races of the previous two seasons – which included a three-point differential last year and a tie in 2024. This consistent, narrow margin of victory highlights a rare level of parity, making a repeat of the exact 2024 results in future years statistically highly improbable. Regardless, I expect the team competition for first place to be highly competitive from beginning to end.

Leading the way for this elite group is senior Ryan Hirchert of Nampa, an All-American committed to Reinhardt University who is aiming for a fourth state title. He is joined by several other accomplished athletes, including two competitors vying for a third individual state title: All-American Holton Crane (Jr., Bishop Kelly) and Carson Leonard (Jr., Lakeland). The roster of returning champions also features three-time finalist Vincent Contreras (Sr., Nampa), Ryan Lewis (Jr., Middleton), Austin Reeves (Sr., Hillcrest), Zack Teal (Jr., Lakeland), All-Americans Ayden Tokita (Jr., Skyline) and All-American Jake Mescher (Jr., Bishop Kelly), and two-time finalist Camden Kuntz (Jr., Mountain Home).

A strong field of 61 total state placers returns this season, all aiming for another medal. Among the top contenders are a select group of three-time placers, highly likely to challenge in their respective weight classes: Mikael Teague (Sr.) from Minico, IIan Shank (Sr.) of Nampa, and Tristan Vega (Sr.) from Burley.

In addition to the three-time placers, another eight wrestlers return with two state medals already in hand; notably, five of these were previous finalists. This accomplished group includes the Preston trio of Krew Keller (Sr.), Porter Campbell (Sr.), and Peyton Keller (Sr.), along with Dylan Dottaviano (Sr.) of Bishop Kelly, Rydge Vail (Jr.) from Bonneville, Kaden Bunderson (Sr.) of Pocatello, Ty Adams (Sr.) of Blackfoot, and All-American John Behm (Sr.) from Shelly.

Bishop Kelly boasts three more formidable returnees who are all podium threats: All-Americans Tensi Thompson (Sr.) and Samson Castillo (Soph.), as well as Davis Reynard (Soph.). Other returning finalists to watch include Minico's Alex Vega (Jr.), Jeratt Robinson (Jr.), and Boady Baker (Sr.). Further potential standouts include All-American Brian Moreno (Soph.) and Porter Danise (Sr.) from Blackfoot, Niamiah Naranjo (Sr.) of Minico, and finalist Jackson Holman (Sr.) representing Sandpoint.

The highly anticipated team championship is set for another showdown between perennial rivals Bishop Kelly and Minico. Both squads bring back a strong core of six or seven state placers. The ultimate victor will likely be determined by their roster depth—specifically, which team can qualify more additional wrestlers for the state tournament and leverage the immediate impact of key freshmen at the regional and state levels. Keep a close watch on perennial power Nampa; with four returning state medalists, seven others boasting state experience, and promising newcomers, they pose a serious threat to the top two. Additionally, 5A teams Lakeland and Preston are strong contenders for a top-four finish.

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 5A TEAMS TO WATCH:

BISHOP KELLY (Dist. III)

98 – Davis Reynard, 10 (3^rd)

106 – Holton Crane, 11 (2x State Champion)/All-American

113 – Dylan Dottaviano, 12 (5^th, 4^th)

138 – Jake Mescher, 11 (2^nd, 1^st)/All-American

144 –  Gabriel Costanza, 12 (6^th)

150 – Tensei Thompson, 12 (2^nd)/All-American

165 – Samson Castillo, 10 (3^rd)/All-American

STATE QUALIFIERS

113 – Grady Noll, 10

215 – Jack Henderson, 11

MINICO (Dist. IV)

98 – Alex Vega, 11 (2^nd)

106 – Mikael Teague, 12 (2^nd, 2^nd, 3^rd)

113 – Rodrigo Aceves, 12 (5^th, 5^th)

132 – Jeratt Robinson, 11 (2^nd)

138 – Niamiah Naranjo, 12 (3^rd)

165 – Boady Baker, 12 (2^nd)

STATE QUALIFIERS

98 – Dallyn Morris, 10

120 – Angel Arteaga, 10

126 – Ashton Murphy, 11

132 – Manuel Juarez, 11

144 – Hunter Halverson, 11

150 – Ryan Pease, 12

190 – Issak Kolsen, 11

215 – Francisco Leon, 11

NAMPA (Dist. III)

106 – Ryan Hirchert, 12 (3x State Champion)/All-American

113 – IIan Shank, 12 (2^nd, 4^th, 3^rd)

120 – Vincent Contreras, 12 (2^nd, 2^nd, 1^st)

138 – Jayden Dodge, 12 (6^th)

STATE QUALIFIERS

106 – Teagan Navarro, 12

113 – Isaiah Rupert, 10

126 – Moses Kelley, 11

132 – Korbyn Sena, 11

190 – Elijah Kincheloe, 12

215 – Jose Tamez, 12

285 – T.J. Callier, 10

LAKELAND (Dist. I)

98 – Zack Teal, 11 (5^th, 1^st)

106 – Caleb Adams, 12 (5^th)

120 – Carson Leonard, 11 (2x State Champion)

144 – Cole Cooper, 12 (5^th)

157 – Kalab Hammer, 12 (4^th)

STATE QUALIFIERS

98 – Joziah Koonce, 11

113 – Kade Knopp, 11

126 – Kutter O’Brien, 11

138 – Cash Lund, 12

144 – Ekahi Hamilton, 12

215 – Ernie Steele, 12

PRESTON (Dist. V)

106 – Krew Keller, 12 (6^th, 2^nd)

113 –  Porter Campbell, 12 (3^rd, 3^rd)

126 –  Peyton Keller, 12 (4^th, 2^nd)

STATE QUALIFIERS

165 – Ron Bennett, 11

175 – Ashcroft Atticus, 10

215 – Hunter Hansen, 12

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Bonneville (Dist. VI), Blackfoot (Dist. VI), Lewiston (Dist. II), Middleton (Dist. III), Mountain Home (Dist. IV), Pocatello (Dist. V), Sandpoint (Dist. I), and Shelly (Dist. VI).

RETURNING STATE PLACERS:

3X STATE CHAMPIONS

106 – Ryan Hirchert (Nampa, 12)/All-American

2X STATE CHAMPIONS

106 – Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly, 11)/All-American

120 – Carson Leonard (Lakeland, 11)

1X STATE CHAMPIONS 

98 – Zack Teal (Lakeland, 11)

113 – Ayden Tokita (Skyline, 11)/All-American

113 – Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home, 11) ’24 

120 – Vincent Contreras (Nampa, 12) 

138 – Jake Mescher (Bishop Kelly, 11)/All-American

175 – Ryan Lewis (Middleton, 11)

285 – Austin Reeves (Hillcrest, 12)

3X STATE PLACERS 

106 – Ryan Hirchert (Nampa, 12): 3x State Champion/All-American

106 – Mikael Teague (Minico, 12): 2^nd, 2^nd, 3^rd

113 – IIan Shank (Nampa, 12): 2^nd, 4^th, 3^rd

120 – Vincent Contreras (Nampa, 12): 2^nd, 2^nd, 1^st

126 – Tristan Vega (Burley, 12): 4^th, 3^rd, 3^rd 

2X STATE PLACERS 

98 – Zack Teal (Lakeland, 11): 5^th,  1^st

106 – Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly, 11): 2x State Champion/All-American

106 – Krew Keller (Preston, 12): 6^th, 2^nd

113 – Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home, 11): 1^st, 2^nd

113 – Ayden Tokita (Skyline, 11): 2^nd, 1^st/All-American

113 –  Porter Campbell (Preston, 12): 3^rd, 3^rd

113 – Rodrigo Aceves (Minico, 12): 5^th, 5^th

113 – Dylan Dottaviano (Bishop Kelly, 12): 5^th, 4^th

113 – John Behm (Shelly, 12): 5^th, 3^rd/All-American

120 – Carson Leonard (Lakeland, 11): 2x State Champion

126 – Rydge Vail (Bonneville, 11): 2^nd, 6^th

126 –  Peyton Keller (Preston, 12): 4^th, 2^nd

138 – Jake Mescher (Bishop Kelly, 11): 2^nd, 1^st/All-American

138 – Kaden Bunderson (Pocatello, 12): 4^th, 2^nd

144 – Ty Adams (Blackfoot, 12): 6^th, 2^nd

175 – Ryan Lewis (Middleton, 11): 3^rd, 1^st

285 – Austin Reeves (Hillcrest, 12): 5^th, 1^st

285 – Stewart Young (Bonneville, 12): 6^th, 5^th

1X STATE PLACERS

98 – Alex Vega (Minico, 11): 2^nd

98 – Davis Reynard (Bishop Kelly, 10): 3rd

98 – Ty Wood (Sandpoint, 10): 4^th

98 – Adrian Olivares (Mountain Home, 10): 5^th

98 – Apisai Tabakece (Pocatello, 10): 6^th

106 – Jesse Rae (Emmett, 11): 4^th

106 – Caleb Adams (Lakeland, 12): 5^th 

106 – Austin Andersen (Century, 11): 6^th

113 – Nathan Ramsdell (Twin Falls, 12): 6^th 

120 – Zak Wood (Sandpoint, 10): 3^rd

120 – Ryker Balmforth (Shelley, 10): 4^th

120 – Valentino Meneses (Jerome, 11): 6^th

126 – Ty Peterson (Shelley, 11): 5^th

132 – Jeratt Robinson (Minico, 11): 2^nd

132 – Brian Moreno (Blackfoot, 10): 3^rd/All-American

132 – Coen Roberts (Lewiston, 11): 6^th

138 – Niamiah Naranjo (Minico, 12): 3^rd

138 – Jayden Dodge (Nampa, 12): 6^th

144 – Cole Cooper (Lakeland, 12): 5^th

144 –  Gabriel Costanza (Bishop Kelly, 12): 6^th 

150 – Tensei Thompson (Bishop Kelly, 12): 2^nd/All-American

150 – Mason Faling (Lewiston, 11): 4^th

150 – Gabriel Archuleta (Pocatello, 12): 6^th 

157 – Porter Dansie (Blackfoot, 12): 3rd

157 – Kalab Hammer (Lakeland, 12): 4^th

157 – Luis Juarez (Mountain Home, 11): 5^th 

165 – Boady Baker (Minico, 12): 2^nd

165 – Samson Castillo (Bishop Kelly, 10): 3^rd/All-American

165 – Camron Pedigo (Mountain Home, 12): 4^th

165 – Garrett Larsen (Wood River, 12): 5^th

175 – Charlie Becker (Sandpoint, 11): 4^th

175 – Damien Avila (Blackfoot, 12): 6^th

190 – Dailen Corrigan (Century, 11): 5^th

190 – Jeramiah Palmer (Sandpoint, 11): 6^th

215 – Jackson Holman (Sandpoint, 12): 2^nd

215 – Daniel Harris (Century, 12): 5^th

215 – Edgar Gonzalez (Jerome, 11): 6^th

285 – Gavin Walters (Sandpoint, 12): 6^th