Idaho Wrestling: Hidden Gems and TIER ONE Talent

Idaho wrestling is on the rise—and it’s impossible to ignore. Since March 2022, when the first hidden gem from Meridian High School stepped into the spotlight, more than 40 of the Gem State’s brightest wrestlers have emerged, defining the mat at every level. From small-town gyms to national arenas, these athletes aren’t just champions—they’re proof that Idaho is a wrestling powerhouse.

Hidden Gems Making Waves

Take Jadon Skellenger [Bishop Kelly], a U15 Greco-Roman World Champion, undefeated junior state champ, and triple-crown winner across folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco. By the time he hit the mat at Lehigh University, he had already conquered nearly every stage imaginable.

Or Jason Mara [Meridian], who dominated 138 pounds with four Idaho 5A State titles, NHSCA and USAW National Championships, and multiple All-American finishes before continuing his next chapter at Stanford.

Other boys putting Idaho on the map include Matthew Martino [Bishop Kelly] and Mack Mauger [Blackfoot]. Martino boasts four state crowns, Fargo and Pan-Am double golds, Outstanding Wrestler honors, and mastery across three styles. Mauger added four state titles, five Fargo Nationals, and a meteoric rise at Missouri.

The state’s influence stretches further: Kolter Burton [American Falls/Century] racked up six Freestyle/Greco state titles and Fargo Junior gold before joining Oklahoma State. Aden Attao [Borah] earned two U20 World bronzes, Pan-Am gold, dual Fargo titles, and excelled academically. Heavyweight Shilo Jones [Mountain View] proved Idaho can produce elite 285-pounders with Fargo, US Open, and U20 World accolades—now competing at North Dakota State.

State champions like Tanner Frothinger [Eagle], Dedrick Navarro [Nampa], and Carson Exferd [Nampa] carry multiple All-American honors into college, continuing at Utah Valley University, Northwestern, and Wisconsin, respectively.

Class of 2024–’25: The Next Wave

The new generation is ready to make waves:

• Treygen Morin [Ridgevue] – Three-time state placer, two-time Fargo All-American, freestyle and Greco champ, 3.77 GPA; continuing at West Liberty University.
• Talen Eck [Thunder Ridge] – Three state titles, USAW All-American, nationwide podiums, 3.9 GPA; now at Utah Valley University.
• Jaxton Packer [South Fremont] – 3A State champ, national All-American honors, youth coach; University of Sioux Falls.
• Jake Castagneto [Bishop Kelly] – Back-to-back state crowns, national medals, 3.89 GPA; Utah Valley.
• Hudson Rogers [Meridian] – Two-time state champ, Folkstyle National Champion, multiple Fargo and Folkstyle All-American honors; Utah Valley.
• Aiden McGinnis [Mountain View] – Football and wrestling standout, Reno Worlds All-American, 16U State titles, 3.98 GPA.
• Kaden MacKenzie [Fruitland] – Multiple state placer, USAW and Fargo accolades; now committed to Providence University.
• Tyson Barnhart [Post Falls] – State champion with multiple state medals. Tyson is now competing for Southwestern University in Florida (NJCAA).
• Boden Banta [South Fremont] – Four-time state champion, multiple Fargo and Folkstyle All-American honors; now at Providence.
• Jeremiah Gonzalez [Meridian] – Two-time state champion, two Folkstyle All-American honors; competing at Southern Oregon.

Other rising stars—Wallace Durfee [Declo], Fargo National Champion Saxton Scott [Idaho Falls], Folkstyle Junior National Champion, Sean Hall [Canyon Ridge], All-Americans Ian Avalos [Mountain Home], Nate Gugelman II [American Falls], Ryan Hirchert [Nampa], Drake Morrison (Malad), and Ivan Ivanov Jr. [Eagle]—continue Idaho’s tradition of excellence. Ivanov, in particular, is a two-time Fargo National Champion with two Outstanding Wrestler performances, dominating U15 and 16U Greco-Roman circuits for Suples WC.

Sibling Dynasties: Wrestling Runs in the Family

Idaho’s wrestling legacy often comes in families:

• Christopher and Matthew Martino [Bishop Kelly] – Combined 8 state titles, multiple Fargo and Folkstyle All-American honors. Both brothers now compete for Princeton University. Matthew competed at this year’s NCAA Division I Championships.

• Gabriel and Daniel Rosales [Mountain Home] – Combined state titles, Fargo All-American honors, strong academics.
• Manuel and Carlos Valdez [Bishop Kelly] – Multiple state titles, national accolades, All-American honors. Carlos now competes for Eastern Oregon and competed at this year’s NAIA National Championships. 
• Riley and Bowen Brunson [Buhl] – Championships, district titles, USAW Folkstyle Nationals All-American finishes; both now at Wartburg College in Iowa.

Girls Wrestling: Rising and Shining

Girls wrestling is booming in Idaho, making waves nationally:

• Mia Furman [Rocky Mountain] – 2023 Idaho State champ, multiple national All-American titles, 3.5 GPA.
• Alyssa Randles [Coeur d’Alene] – Four consecutive state crowns, Junior Fargo All-American honors, now a two-time NAIA All-American at Providence University [MT].
• Claire Waite [Boise] – Two state championships, Fargo and NHSCA honors, 4.0 GPA at North Central College.

Other female standouts—Fargo Champ Amy Hartman [Mountain Home], multiple All-American Joely Slyter [Lewiston], Caddy Tverdy [Eagle], Zoe Fries [Kuna], All-American, Elise Twait [Meridian], and 3x State Champ|All-American Keanna Conrad [Blackfoot]—combine state dominance, national recognition, and academic excellence. Idaho girls are no longer just participants—they’re trendsetters.

Beyond the Mat: Sharing the Stories

This isn’t just about trophies. Covering Idaho wrestling—from HIDDEN GEMS to TIER ONE athletes—includes state previews, recaps, national honors, and much more. Podcasting has expanded the platform: first with Idaho Sports Mat Chat alongside Brandon Baney, Bryan Zollinger, Fred Bartlett, and Val Johanson, and now with Bryan Battisto’s Simple Man Wrestling Podcast [podcast crew Brian Navarro, Orem Dramen, and Carlo Franciotti]. 

What started in California didn’t stay there—it exploded into a nationwide platform, and now Idaho wrestling has a stage that demands attention. Alongside former California Wrestler Newsletter’s Pablo DiMaria, the mission is simple and relentless: spotlight the athletes [California, Idaho, and across the nation], tell their stories, and connect a wrestling community that stretches coast to coast.

Wrestling gave us everything—the grind, the discipline, the edge. Now we’re giving it right back. Through hard-hitting writing and a growing podcast presence, we’re amplifying the voices that deserve to be heard and putting the sport where it belongs—front and center. Together, Everyone Achieves More [TEAM]. And as my journey continues, I’m not standing still—I’m evolving, pushing, and doing everything in my power to help grow wrestling at the highest level possible.

And Idaho? It’s just getting started. The next wave of HIDDEN GEMS and TIER ONE talent is already rising, already proving that the Gem State isn’t coming—it’s here. The future isn’t just bright—it’s blazing.