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Watch the Idaho Mat Chat State Tournament Preview Show!

The 2026 Idaho 5A State Wrestling Championships promise an intense battle, led by several powerhouse teams with deep lineups and proven talent. Nampa from District III enters with 16 qualifiers, including standout senior Ryan Hirchert at 113 pounds, a three-time state champion and All-American aiming for a historic fourth title. Joining him are multi-time placers like Ilan Shank (120 pounds: 2nd, 4th, 3rd), Vincent Contreras (132 pounds: 2nd, 2nd, 1st), and Jayden Dodge (138 pounds: 6th), alongside promising qualifiers such as Kaynon Navarro (98), Isaiah Garcia (106), Teagan Navarro (113), and Jose Tamez (215).

Lakeland from District I-II brings 14 qualifiers and significant firepower at lighter weights. Carson Leonard at 120 pounds is a two-time state champion, while Zack Teal (106 pounds) is a returning champion after a 5th-place finish previously. Other key returnees include Caleb Adams (120: 5th) and Cole Cooper (144: 5th), with additional threats like Cruz Knopp (106), Colby Adams (113), Kade Knopp (132), Kalab Hammer (157), Gage McWatters (175), and Emmit Rivadeneira (215) poised to make noise.

Minico from District IV boasts the largest contingent with 21 qualifiers, positioning them as a major contender in the team race. Returning placers include Mikael Teague (113: 2nd, 2nd, 3rd), Alex Vega (113: 2nd), Jeratt Robinson (138: 2nd), Niamiah Naranjo (150: 3rd), and Boady Baker (175: 2nd). Watch for strong performances from Angel Arteaga (132), Landyn Schmidt (144), Cale Baker (190), and Devon Sibbett (285) as Minico looks to challenge for the top spot.

Bishop Kelly from District III fields 13 qualifiers and features an elite group of experienced wrestlers. Holton Crane at 120 pounds is a two-time state champion, while Jake Mescher (144/150 range) is a returning champion after a 2nd and 1st. Other notables include Dylan Dottaviano (126: 5th, 4th), Gabriel Costanza (144: 6th), Tensei Thompson (157: 2nd), and Samson Castillo (165: 3rd), plus emerging talents like Jake Jones (113) and Jax Mescher (144).

Blackfoot from District VI arrives with 20 qualifiers and solid depth. Returning placers Ty Adams (144: 6th, 2nd), Brian Moreno (150: 3rd, All-American), and Porter Dansie (157: 3rd) lead the way, supported by qualifiers such as Brannick Reyes (98), Jett Hone (126), Tanner Despain (138), and Damien Avila (165).

Middleton from District III rounds out the top teams to watch with 22 qualifiers, headlined by Ryan Lewis at 175 pounds, a returning state champion (3rd, 1st) who has committed to Western Colorado University (DII). Additional prospects include Cyler Beeson (98), Cylar Bail (106), Luke Eager (150), Jaxson Rosti (175), and Briar Baughman (215).

Overall, the division features exceptional talent, including 10 returning individual state champions—such as Hirchert (3x), Crane and Leonard (2x each), and others like Teal, Mescher, and Lewis—along with numerous multi-time placers, All-Americans (e.g., Moreno, Thompson, Castillo, Hirchert, Crane, Mescher), and college-committed athletes like Lewis and Johnny Behm (Shelley to Tiffin University, DII). The team title chase could come down to a close contest among Bishop Kelly, Minico, Nampa, Lakeland, and others, with depth and star power across weights setting the stage for thrilling competition at the Ford Idaho Center.

Below is a breakdown of the teams to watch, returning champions, returning medalists, All-Americans, and college commits. 


TEAMS TO WATCH


NAMPA (District III): 16 Qualifiers

Returning State Placers:
113 – Ryan Hirchert (12)*
120 – IIan Shank (12): 2nd, 4th, 3rd
132 – Vincent Contreras (12): 2nd, 2nd, 1st
138 – Jayden Dodge (12): 6th

State Qualifiers to Watch:
98 – Kaynon Navarro (9)
106 – Isaiah Garcia (9)
113 – Teagan Navarro (12)
215 – Jose Tamez (12)


LAKELAND (District I-II): 14 Qualifiers 

Returning State Placers:
106 – Zack Teal (11): 5th,  1st
120 – Carson Leonard (11): 2x State Champion
120 – Caleb Adams (12): 5th  
144 – Cole Cooper (12): 5th

State Qualifiers to Watch:
106 – Cruz Knopp (9)
113 – Colby Adams (9)
132 – Kade Knopp (11)
157 – Kalab Hammer (12)
175 – Gage McWatters (11)
215 – Emmit Rivadeneira (9)


MINICO (District IV): 21 Qualifiers

Returning State Placers:
113 – Mikael Teague (12): 2nd, 2nd, 3rd
113 – Alex Vega (11): 2nd
138 – Jeratt Robinson (11): 2nd
150 – Niamiah Naranjo (12): 3rd
175 – Boady Baker (12): 2nd

State Qualifiers to Watch:
132 – Angel Arteaga (10)
144 – Landyn Schmidt (12)
190 – Cale Baker (12)
285 – Devon Sibbett (11)


BISHOP KELLY (District III): 13 Qualifiers 

Returning State Placers
120 – Holton Crane (11): 2x State Champion*
126 – Dylan Dottaviano (12): 5th, 4th
144 – Gabriel Costanza (12): 6th  
150 – Jake Mescher (11): 2nd, 1st*
157 – Tensei Thompson (12): 2nd*
165 – Samson Castillo (10): 3rd*

State Qualifiers to Watch:
113 – Jake Jones (9)
144 – Jax Mescher (9)


BLACKFOOT (District VI): 20 Qualifiers

Returning State Placers:
144 – Ty Adams (12): 6th, 2nd
150 – Brian Moreno (10): 3rd*
157 – Porter Dansie (12): 3rd
165 – Damien Avila (12): 6th

State Qualifiers to Watch:
98 – Brannick Reyes (10)
126 – Jett Hone (11)
138 – Tanner Despain (12)


MIDDLETON (District III): 22 Qualifiers

Returning State Placers:
175 – Ryan Lewis (11): 3rd, 1st

State Qualifiers to Watch:
98 – Cyler Beeson (10)
106 – Cylar Bail (9)
150 – Luke Eager (12)
175 – Jaxson Rosti (11)
215 – Briar Baughman (11)


3X STATE CHAMPION
113 – Ryan Hirchert (Nampa, 12)*

2X STATE CHAMPIONS
120 – Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly, 11)*
120 – Carson Leonard (Lakeland, 11)
 
1X STATE CHAMPIONS 
106 – Zack Teal (Lakeland, 11)
120 – Ayden Tokita (Skyline, 11)*
126 – Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home, 11) ’24 
132 – Vincent Contreras (Nampa, 12) 
144 – Jake Mescher (Bishop Kelly, 11)*
175 – Ryan Lewis (Middleton, 11)
285 – Austin Reeves (Hillcrest, 12)
 
3X STATE PLACERS 
113 – Ryan Hirchert (Nampa, 12): 3x State Champion*
113 – Mikael Teague (Minico, 12): 2nd, 2nd, 3rd
120 – IIan Shank (Nampa, 12): 2nd, 4th, 3rd
132 – Vincent Contreras (Nampa, 12): 2nd, 2nd, 1st
132 – Tristan Vega (Burley, 12): 4th, 3rd, 3rd 
 
2X STATE PLACERS 
106 – Zack Teal (Lakeland, 11): 5th,  1st
106 – Krew Keller (Preston, 12): 6th, 2nd
113 – John Behm (Shelley, 12): 5th, 3rd*
120 – Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly, 11): 2x State Champion*
126 – Camden Kuntz (Mountain Home, 11): 1st, 2nd
120 – Ayden Tokita (Skyline, 11): 2nd, 1st*
120 – Porter Campbell (Preston, 12): 3rd, 3rd
126 – Dylan Dottaviano (Bishop Kelly, 12): 5th, 4th
120 – Carson Leonard (Lakeland, 11): 2x State Champion
132 – Rydge Vail (Bonneville, 11): 2nd, 6th
126 – Peyton Keller (Preston, 12): 4th, 2nd
144 – Kaden Bunderson (Pocatello, 12): 4th, 2nd
144 – Ty Adams (Blackfoot, 12): 6th, 2nd
150 – Jake Mescher (Bishop Kelly, 11): 2nd, 1st*
175 – Ryan Lewis (Middleton, 11): 3rd, 1st
285 – Austin Reeves (Hillcrest, 12): 5th, 1st
 
1X STATE PLACERS
98 – Apisai Tabakece (Pocatello, 10): 6th
106 – Ty Wood (Sandpoint, 10): 4th
113 – Alex Vega (Minico, 11): 2nd
120 – Caleb Adams (Lakeland, 12): 5th  
120 – Nathan Ramsdell (Twin Falls, 12): 6th  
120 – Austin Andersen (Century, 11): 6th
126 – Jesse Rae (Emmett, 11): 4th
126 – Zak Wood (Sandpoint, 10): 3rd
132 – Ty Peterson (Shelley, 11): 5th
138 – Jeratt Robinson (Minico, 11): 2nd
138 – Ryker Balmforth (Shelley, 10): 4th
138 – Jayden Dodge (Nampa, 12): 6th
144 – Cole Cooper (Lakeland, 12): 5th
144 – Gabriel Costanza (Bishop Kelly, 12): 6th  
150 – Brian Moreno (Blackfoot, 10): 3rd*
150 – Coen Roberts (Lewiston, 11): 6th
150 – Niamiah Naranjo (Minico, 12): 3rd
157 – Tensei Thompson (Bishop Kelly, 12): 2nd*
157 – Mason Faling (Lewiston, 11): 4th
157 – Porter Dansie (Blackfoot, 12): 3rd
157 – Kalab Hammer (Lakeland, 12): 4th
165 – Samson Castillo (Bishop Kelly, 10): 3rd*
165 – Gabriel Archuleta (Pocatello, 12): 6th  
165 – Garrett Larsen (Wood River, 12): 5th
165 – Damien Avila (Blackfoot, 12): 6th
175 – Boady Baker (Minico, 12): 2nd
190 – Camron Pedigo (Mountain Home, 12): 4th
190 – Dailen Corrigan (Century, 11): 5th
190 – Jeramiah Palmer (Sandpoint, 11): 6th
190 – Edgar Gonzalez (Jerome, 11): 6th
215 – Jackson Holman (Sandpoint, 12): 2nd

ALL-AMERICANS*
Brian Moreno (Blackfoot)
Tensei Thompson (Bishop Kelly)
Samson Castillo (Bishop Kelly)
Ryan Hirchert (Nampa)
Holton Crane (Bishop Kelly)
Ayden Tokita (Skyline)
John Behm (Shelley)
Jake Mescher (Bishop Kelly, 11)

COLLEGE COMMITS
Ryan Lewis (Middleton), Western Colorado University (DII)
Johnny Behm (Shelley), Tiffin University, OH (DII)
Ryan Hirchert (Nampa), Reinhardt University, GA (NAIA)

NATIONAL H.S. RANKINGS 
Ryan Hirchert (Nampa, 12) HM