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Watch the Idaho Mat Chat State Tournament Preview Show!

Written by: Val Johansen

This year’s Idaho Girls State Wrestling Tournament represents another step forward for the sport in our state. The brackets are deeper, the experience level is higher, and across nearly every weight class there are returning placers, champions, and All-Americans. There are very few safe brackets and that’s what makes this tournament so compelling.

The first team we absolutely cannot overlook is Caldwell. Sending ten girls to the state tournament is a statement. Depth matters in a two-day event, and when you bring numbers like that, you create scoring opportunities in every round. 

Caldwell’s presence shifts the team race conversation because advancement and placement points across multiple weights (eight different weight classes with wrestlers all above 50%) can separate teams quickly.

Thunder Ridge leads the state in qualifiers with eleven and enters with one of the strongest title anchors in the state in Shauna Anderson at 185. A two-time state champion and three-time placer, she understands how to control pace, manage pressure, and close matches. Tayler Brown at 100 and Gracie Price at 120 added placement experience that could keep Thunder Ridge in the team race from start to finish.

Buhl brings star power in Roxy Sheen at 145. A two-time state champion chasing a third title, she’s wrestling for legacy. Ali Svancara at 120 adds more podium potential in one of the most competitive weight classes of the weekend. This weight class will combine north and south power together, for sure.

Rocky Mountain and Kuna both feature returning champions in Talea Nichols at 115 and Taylor Drake at 110, respectively. Those two weights alone are stacked with returning placers and All-Americans, meaning semifinals could feel like finals. There will be no easy path through those rounds.

Eagle girls wrestling (my pre-season pick) deserves strong mention, as well. Eagle brings depth, balance, and serious podium potential. These girls continue to position themselves near the top year after year. Ella Elordi at 190 returns as a state runner-up and is one of the most technically sound upper weights in the field. Tommy Stone at 110 is a returning fourth-place finisher in a loaded bracket, and Gemma Lebeau at 140 returns as a placer as well. With multiple state qualifiers across the lineup, Eagle has the kind of roster that can quietly rack up placement points. And we cannot forget the addition of Caddy Tverdy transferring in from Garden Valley with a dominant senior year with a 36-6 record overall.

Other teams to keep an eye on include Idaho Falls, Jerome, and Post Falls. All three are programs that are steadily building momentum with growing numbers and increasing experience throughout their lineups.

Sandpoint continues to build a culture of consistency.  The goal is not just qualifying athletes for state, but contending once they get there. With three district champions, led by Teagan Newsom with a perfect 19-0 mark at 145 and a 34-7 overall record, Sandpoint is the back-to-back District 1/2 champion. They have added bigger tournaments to their schedule to overcome the smaller tournament experience the north has, in order to thrive in a state environment.

Turning to individual weight classes, the 115-pound bracket is absolutely loaded with powerhouse talent. Leading the charge is American Falls’ two-time state placer Kinzie Williams, who sits at a dominant 34–0 and has been nothing short of commanding all season. She’s wrestling with confidence, control, and the kind of composure that makes her tough to crack. But this weight is far from a one-woman show. Two-time state placer Talea Nichols brings experience and grit that can’t be overlooked. Meridian sophomore Amy Twait has put together an impressive 50–9 record and continues to prove she belongs in the title conversation. And don’t sleep on Lakeland’s Hunter Edmondson, who has really started to find her stride at 115 and could be peaking at just the right time. This bracket has the perfect mix of dominance, experience, and rising momentum, and it’s going to produce some must-watch matchups.

The 130 bracket is pound for pound the strongest with Century’s Kyler Scott undefeated at 41-0, and powerhouse Shelby Garten of Timberlake (last year's runner-up). Also add in American Falls' Courtney Hunt, Rocky Mountain's Elyse Asaro, and we cannot count out Meridian’s Kiana Trudell. Isabella Stark at 130 also brings state experience for Sandpoint in one of the tournament’s toughest divisions. Get ready, because this weight class is going to be non-stop competitive from start to finish.

At 135 and 140 statewide, you’re looking at some of the most credentialed wrestlers in Idaho. Two-time champions like Jerome's Olivia Bezdicek and Blackfoot's Keanna Conrad anchor those brackets, but behind them are athletes who have been steadily climbing and are ready to break through. Look for Kahli Brown from Post Falls at 135, with a 45-4 overall record. And Clearwater Valley's Jessie Rice is a contender at 140.

At 170, the big question here is simple: who is stopping Skyline junior Molly Olague? Sitting at 40–0, Olague has been on an entirely different level this season. After finishing fourth at state last year, she has wrestled with something to prove and it shows. Her pace, mat awareness, and confidence have elevated her from contender to clear title favorite. Prairie’s Avery Schacher enters the tournament undefeated as well and fresh off a district championship. She’s battled-tested and brings the kind of composure that can flip a bracket in a hurry. And don’t overlook Oakley’s Sarah Toribau, a competitor capable of shaking things up if given the opportunity. This bracket feels primed for high-level, high-pressure matches. If someone is going to stop Olague’s run, they’ll have to wrestle the best match of their season.

At 235, Sandpoint’s Lili Marti returns as a two-time state placer. Heavyweight matches are often decided by positioning, composure, and late-match control and Marti has shown she understands how to manage those moments. While she has struggled in the last couple weeks of the season, she is looking to continue to climb the podium.

What stands out most this season is parity. Multiple two-time champions are chasing history. Three-time placers are hunting their first title. Sophomores are no longer underdogs but legitimate threats. The technical level across the state continues to rise.

This tournament will be decided in small moments: a third-period escape, a semifinal ride-out, a scramble in sudden victory. Placement points and bonus points will matter. Consolation brackets will matter. Composure will matter.

Idaho girls wrestling has moved beyond growth mode. This is about legacy, depth, and proving who belongs at the top.


TEAMS TO WATCH

THUNDER RIDGE (District V-VI): 11 Qualifiers

Returning State Placers:
120 - Gracie Price (11): 2nd, 5th
190 - Shauna Anderson (12): 2nd, 1st, 1st

State Qualifiers to Watch:
100 - Tayler Brown (12)
145 - Kambree Stierle (11)
155 - Peyton Reeves (11)


SANDPOINT (District I-II): 8 Qualifiers

Returning State Placers:
130 - Isabella Stark (11): 6th
235 - Lili Marti (12): 6th, 3rd

State Qualifiers to Watch:
135 - Vanessa Hood (10)
145 - Teagan Newsom (11)


BUHL (District IV): 6 Qualifiers

Returning State Placers:
120 - Ali Svancara (11): 4th, 3rd
155 - Roxy Sheen (11): 1st, 1st

State Qualifiers to Watch:
100 - Caydence Aagard (9)
140 - Jasmin Carpenter (10)


EAGLE (District III): 10 Qualifiers

Returning State Placers:
110 - Tommy Stone (12): 4th
140 - Gemma Lebeau (10): 6th
190 - Ella Elordi (12): 2nd

State Qualifiers to Watch:
125 - Caddy Tverdy (12)
235 - Keleigh Russell-Smith (10)


CALDWELL (District III): 10 Qualifiers

Returning State Placers:
100 - Maritza Medina (10): 4th

State Qualifiers to Watch:
235 - Maritza Garcia (10)


OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH - Post Falls (District I-II), Idaho Falls (District V-VI), Kuna (District III), Rocky Mountain (District III), Meridian (District III), American Falls (District V-VI), and Tri-Valley (District III).


2X STATE CHAMPIONS
135 - Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot, 11)*
140 - Olivia Bezdicek (Jerome, 11)*
155 - Roxy Sheen (Buhl, 11)*
190 - Shauna Anderson (Thunder Ridge, 12)

1X STATE CHAMPIONS
110 - Taylor Drake (Kuna, 11)*
115 - Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain, 12)*
130 - Courtney Hunt (American Falls, 12)*

3X STATE PLACERS
130 - Kyler Scott (Century, 12): 3rd, 3rd, 2nd*
130 - Courtney Hunt (American Falls, 12): 2nd, 1st, 4th*
190 - Brooklyn Anderson (Coeur d'Alene, 12): 5th, 3rd, 3rd
190 - Shauna Anderson (Thunder Ridger, 12): 2nd, 1st, 1st

2X STATE PLACERS
105 - Ava Bui (Centennial, 11): 4th, 2nd
110 - Taylor Drake (Kuna, 11): 6th, 1st*
115 - Kinzie Williams (American Falls, 11): 3rd, 2nd*
115 - Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain, 12): 1st, 4th*
120 - Ali Svancara (Buhl, 11): 4th, 3rd*
120 - Gracie Price (Thunder Ridge, 11): 2nd, 5th
130 - Elyse Asaro (Rocky Mountain, 12): 6th, 5th
135 - Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot, 11): 1st, 1st*
140 - Olivia Bezdicek (Jerome, 11): 1st, 1st*
155 - Roxy Sheen (Buhl, 11): 1st, 1st*
235 - Lili Marti (Sandpoint, 12): 6th, 3rd

1X STATE PLACERS
100 - Maritza Medina (Caldwell, 10): 4th*
105 - Kyra Cobb (Timberline, 12): 3rd
110 - Tommy Stone (Eagle, 12): 4th
110 - Maliyah Garcia (New Plyouth): 6th
120 - Whitney Cawthra (Rocky Mountain, 10): 6th
125 - Charlee Noah (Tri-Valley, 10): 2nd
125 - Zuri Tavarez (South Fremont, 10): 3rd
125 - Bella Eddins (Grace, 11): 4th
125 - Lexeigh Dowd (Twin Falls, 12): 6th
130 - Shelby Garten (Timberlake, 12): 2nd
130 - Kiana Trudell (Meridian, 11): 4th
130 - Isabella Stark (Sandpoint, 11): 6th
135 - Kahli Brown (Post Falls, 10): 3rd
140 - Gemma Lebeau (Eagle, 10): 6th
140 - Jesse Rice (Clearwater Valley, 10): 6th
145 - Samantha Harper (Bear Lake, 12): 3rd
145 - Cashlin Volkel (Kimberly, 12): 6th
155 - Skyla Cloud (Grace, 12): 4th
155 - Kate Allred (Preston, 12): 5th
170 - Molly Olague (Skyline, 11): 4th*
170 - Sarah Toribau (Oakley, 12): 5th
190 - Ella Elordi (Eagle, 12): 2nd
190 - Priscilla Garcia (Kuna, 11): 3rd
190 - Rebecka Vail (Minico, 11): 4th
190 - Lochlynn Harned (Rigby, 11): 4th
190 - Sage Larson (Twin Falls, 12): 6th
235 - Charlie Robinson (Rigby, 11): 4th

ALL-AMERICANS*
Martiza Medina (Caldwell)
Taylor Drake (Kuna)
Kinzie Williams (American Falls)
Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain)
Ali Svancara (Buhl)
Courtney Hunt (American Falls)
Kyler Scott (Century)
Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot)
Olivia Bezdicek (Jerome)
Roxy Sheen (Buhl)
Molly Olague (Skyline)

COLLEGE COMMITS
Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain), University of Sioux Falls (DII)

NATIONAL H.S. RANKINGS
Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot, 11) 14th
Kinzie Williams (American Falls, 11) 14th
Olivia Bezdicek (Jerome, 11) 15th
Brooklyn Anderson (Coeur d'Alene, 12) 26th
Molly Olague (Skyline, 11) 27th
Ali Svancara (Buhl, 11) HM
Shauna Anderson (Thunder Ridge, 12) HM

ADDITIONAL NUMBERS:

Total wrestlers in state tournament : 229

Wrestlers above 60%: 174

Wrestlers at or below 60%: 55

Division totals above 60%

Div I & II ; 37 Qualifiers 81% above 60%

Div III: 74 Qualifiers - 74% above 60%

Div IV: 46 Qualifiers - 72% above 60% Div

V&VI: 72 Qualifiers - 78% above 60%