|
All of our great wrestling coverage is brought to you by Green Solutions Cleaning & Restoration. Visit their Facebook page for more information on their carpet cleaning and water damage restoration services. Support the local businesses that keep our coverage free!
Watch the Idaho Mat Chat State Tournament Preview Show!
The 2026 Idaho Class 6A State Wrestling Championships feature a highly competitive field, with Meridian emerging as a top contender thanks to their impressive 29 qualifiers and exceptional depth of returning talent. The Warriors boast nine returning state placers, including two state champions: Blake Nevills (138 lbs, sophomore) and Logan Shaver (157 lbs, senior). Additional standout returning placers include Bodee Williams (98 lbs, 2nd place), Tobias Guillen (113 lbs, couple top-5 finishes), Ryan Amoureux (132 lbs, 2nd), Justus Briggs (126 lbs), Adam Ostoja (126 lbs), and Bradley Bones (190 lbs). This strong core, combined with promising qualifiers like young talents Ryder Zickgraf, Mason Emerson, Ryker Beeson, and others across weights, positions Meridian as a dominant force aiming to reclaim the team title after a recent runner-up finish.
Post Falls, the defending state champions with 18 qualifiers, remains a serious threat in the title chase. They return a solid group of placers, led by state champion Matthew Hamilton (132 lbs, junior, previous 3rd and 1st), along with multiple-time runners-up Damion Hamilton (165 lbs, senior) and returning finalists like Ryker Allen (126 lbs, 2nd), Sawyer Sage (138 lbs, 2nd), and Xander Scholes (285 lbs, 3rd). Other key returners include Tristan Mendenhall (106 lbs), Gage Loftin (113 lbs), Colton Austin (157 lbs), and Zane Smith (215 lbs), giving Post Falls the experience and balance to contend strongly against Meridian.
Other teams to watch include Highland (19 qualifiers) and Madison (17 qualifiers), both from Districts IV-V-VI, which bring elite individual talent. Highland features two-time state champion Sawyer Anderson (132 lbs, senior, with titles and a 3rd), alongside placers like Cuyler Johnston (144 lbs), Jacob Vincent (150 lbs), Aiden Hernandez (157 lbs), and Brakken Johnston (165 lbs). Madison counters with two-time champion James Hansen (157 lbs, junior) and one-time champion McGregor Miller (215 lbs, junior, with 2nd and 1st finishes), plus Brand’n Edstrom (120 lbs, multiple 2nds) and Ace Ingram (144 lbs, 3rd). Coeur d’Alene (19 qualifiers) adds depth with returning placers like Rocco White (113 lbs), Nash Larsen (120 lbs), and state champion Brock Armstrong (190 lbs, junior).
Among the most decorated wrestlers are the two-time state champions: Sawyer Anderson (Highland, 132 lbs) and James Hansen (Madison, 157 lbs). One-time state champions include Matthew Hamilton (Post Falls, 132 lbs), Blake Nevils (Meridian, 138 lbs), Logan Shaver (Meridian, 157 lbs), Brock Armstrong (Coeur d’Alene, 190 lbs), McGregor Miller (Madison, 215 lbs), and others like Cole Jensen (Rocky Mountain, 113 lbs) and Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge, 150 lbs).
This division highlights 14 All-Americans*, including Brand’n Edstrom (Madison), Sawyer Anderson (Highland), Jaxson Freeman (Caldwell), Jaxon Hansen (Madison), Dylan Frothinger (Eagle), Blake Nevils (Meridian), Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge), Gage Ponton (Mountain View), Ian Avalos (Mountain View), Aiden Hernandez (Highland), Damion Hamilton (Post Falls), Gage Loftin (Post Falls), and McGregor Miller (Madison), underscoring the high-caliber talent across the division.
Several wrestlers have already secured college commitments, signaling their elite status: Brand’n Edstrom (Madison) to Utah Valley University (DI), Jaxson Freeman (Caldwell) to Western Colorado University (DII), Dylan Frothinger (Eagle) to Eastern Oregon University (NAIA), Logan Shaver (Meridian) to Providence University (NAIA), and Damion Hamilton (Post Falls) to North Idaho College (NJCAA). With 53 returning state placers overall and this blend of proven champions, multi-time placers, All-Americans, and college-bound athletes, the 2026 6A tournament promises intense competition and potential for memorable upsets.
Below is a breakdown of the teams to watch, returning champions, returning medalists, All-Americans, and college commits.
TEAMS TO WATCH
MERIDIAN (District III): 29 Qualifiers
Returning State Placers:
98 – Bodee Williams (10): 2nd
113 – Tobias Guillen (11): 5th, 3rd
126 – Justus Briggs (12): 6th, 5th
126 – Adam Ostoja (11): 4th
132 – Ryan Amoureux (12): 2nd
138 – Blake Nevils (10): State Champion*
157 – Logan Shaver (12): State Champion
190 – Bradley Bones (12): 6th, 4th
State Qualifiers to Watch:
98 – Ryder Zickgraf (9)
106 – Mason Emerson (9)
106 – Ryker Beeson (9)
132 – Vincent Torrez (11)
138 – Cruz Ramirez (10)
144 – Darius Case (11)
144 – Draken Miller (12)
150 – Jackson Beck (11)
165 – Hayden McDonald (11)
165 – Connor Hauff (11)
215 – Blake Nguyen (9)
POST FALLS (District I-II): 18 Qualifiers
Returning State Placers:
106 – Tristan Mendenhall (10): 5th
113 – Gage Loftin (12): 4th, 4th*
113 – Logan Loaiza (12): 4th,
126 – Ryker Allen (10): 2nd
132 – Matthew Hamilton (11): 3rd, 1st
138 – Sawyer Sage (10): 2nd
157 – Colton Austin (12): 6th
165 – Damion Hamilton (12): 2nd, 2nd*
215 – Zane Smith (12), 5th
285 – Xander Scholes (12): 3rd
State Qualifiers to Watch:
120 – Logan Loaza (12)
175 – Landon Moore (12)
COEUR D’ALENE (District I-II): 19 Qualifiers
Returning State Placers:
113 – Rocco White (12): 6th, 3rd
120 – Nash Larsen (10): 5th
190 – Brock Armstrong (11)
State Qualifiers to Watch:
98 – Micah Miller (10)
106 – Dylan Coulson (10)
120 – Justus Peregrina (12)
126 – Cole Armstrong (9)
150 – Logan Nitti (10)
190 – Drake Speelman (10)
MADISON (District IV-V-VI): 17 Qualifiers
Returning State Placers:
113 – Jaxon Hansen (10): 3rd*
120 – Brand’n Edstrom (11): 2nd, 2nd*
144 – Ace Ingram (12): 3rd
157 – James Hansen (11): 2x State Champion
215 – McGregor Miller (11): 2nd, 1st*
State Qualifiers to Watch:
106 – Emillio Peterson (9)
138 – Jordan Loya (11)
165 – Grant Gugelman (11)*
285 – Sidi Kante (10)
HIGHLAND (District IV-V-VI): 19 Qualifiers
Returning State Placers:
132 – Sawyer Anderson (12): 1st, 1st, 3rd*
144 – Cuyler Johnston (12): 5th
150 – Jacob Vincent (11): 4th
157 – Aiden Hernandez (11): 4th, 6th*
165 – Brakken Johnston (12): 6th
State Qualifiers to Watch:
113 – Rhilan Mays (10)
175 – Lucas Stohel (11)
2X STATE CHAMIONS
132 – Sawyer Anderson (Highland, 12)*
157 – James Hansen (Madison, 11)
1X STATE CHAMPIONS
113 – Cole Jensen (Rocky Mountain, 10)
132 – Matthew Hamilton (Post Falls, 11)
138 – Blake Nevils (Meridian, 10)*
150 – Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge, 12)*
157 – Logan Shaver (Meridian, 12)
190 – Brock Armstrong (Coeur d’ Alene, 11)
215 – McGregor Miller (Madison, 11)*
3X STATE PLACERS
132 – Sawyer Anderson (Highland, 12): 1st, 1st, 3rd*
126 – Jaxson Freeman (Caldwell, 12): 2nd, 2nd, 4th*
126 – Dylan Frothinger (Eagle, 12): 4th, 2nd, 6th
150 – Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge, 12): 4th, 3rd, 1st*
2X STATE PLACERS
113 – Gage Loftin (Post Falls, 12): 4th, 4th*
113 – Tobias Guillen (Meridian, 11): 5th, 3rd
113 – Rocco White (Coeur d’ Alene, 12): 6th, 3rd
120 – Brand’n Edstrom (Madison, 11): 2nd, 2nd*
126 – Justus Briggs (Meridian, 12): 6th, 5th
132 – Matthew Hamilton (Post Falls, 11): 3rd, 1st
144 – Ian Avalos (Mountain View, 11): 2nd, 2nd*
157 – Aiden Hernandez (Highland, 11): 4th, 6th*
157 – James Hansen (Madison, 11): 2x State Champion
165 – Damion Hamilton (Post Falls, 12): 2nd, 2nd*
190 – Bradley Bones (Meridian, 12): 6th, 4th
215 – McGregor Miller (Madison, 11): 2nd, 1st*
285 – Kollin Bailey (Rocky Mountain, 12): 6th, 5th
1X STATE PLACERS
98 – Bodee Williams (Meridian, 10): 2nd
106 – Burke Blue (Centennial, 10): 4th
106 – Tristan Mendenhall (Post Falls, 10): 5th
113 – Cole Jensen (Rocky Mountain, 10): State Champion
113 – Jaxon Hansen (Madison, 10): 3rd*
120 – Shane Bayley (Borah, 11): 6th
120 – Nash Larsen (Coeur d Alene, 10): 5th
120 – Ryker Anderson (Owyhee, 11): 6th ’24 (106s)
126 – Ryker Allen (Post Falls, 10): 2nd
126 – Adam Ostoja (Meridian, 11): 4th
132 – Ryan Amoureux (Meridian, 12): 2nd
132 – Brandon Felix (Post Falls, 12): 4th
132 – Cooper Wing (Timberline, 10): 5th
132 – Tucker Clark (Rigby, 12): 4th, 6th
138 – Blake Nevills (Meridian, 10): State Champion*
138 – Sawyer Sage (Post Falls, 10): 2nd
138 – Lochlan McCormack (Capital, 12): 5th
144 – Cuyler Johnston (Highland, 12): 5th
144 – Ace Ingram (Madison, 12): 3rd
150 – Konnor Fordyce (Kuna, 10): 3rd*
150 – Jacob Vincent (Highland, 11): 4th
157 – Logan Shaver (Meridian, 12): State Champion
157 – Colton Austin (Post Falls, 12): 6th
165 – Brakken Johnston (Highland, 12): 6th
165 – Jesus Alvarez (Caldwell, 11): 5th
165 – Gavin Hudson (Borah, 12): 6th
190 – Brock Armstrong (Coeur d’ Alene, 11): State Champion
190 – Anthony Butler (Eagle, 12): 4th
215 – Gage Ponton (Mountain View, 11): 5th*
215 – Zane Smith (Post Falls, 12), 5th
285 – Xander Scholes (Post Falls, 12): 3rd
ALL-AMERICANS*
Brand’n Edstrom (Madison)
Sawyer Anderson (Highland)
Jaxson Freeman (Caldwell)
Jaxon Hansen (Madison)
Grant Gugelman (Madison)
Dylan Frothinger (Eagle)
Blake Nevills (Meridian)
Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge)
Gage Ponton (Mountain View)
Ian Avalos (Mountain View)
Aiden Hernandez (Highland)
Damion Hamilton (Post Falls)
Gage Loftin (Post Falls)
McGregor Miller (Madison)
COLLEGE COMMITS
Brand’n Edstrom (Madison), Utah Valley University (DI)
Jaxson Freemon (Caldwell), Western Colorado University DII)
Dylan Frothinger (Eagle), Eastern Oregon University (NAIA)
Logan Shaver (Meridian), Providence University (NAIA)
Damion Hamilton (Post Falls), North Idaho College (NJCAA)
NATIONAL H.S. RANKINGS
Sean Hall (Canyon Ridge, 12) HM
|