Two young grapplers from the Gem State made serious noise at the national stage this weekend, showing grit, fire, and talent beyond their years.

EMIT RIVADENEIRA – Lakeland HS (5A, Idaho): Frosh. 195 lbs [2nd Place]
Rivadeneira was unstoppable from the opening whistle. He dropped Malachi Miner (Vermont) and Brayden McKay (Rhode Island) by fall, steamrolled Ari Rupe (Florida) in the quarterfinals, and battled his way past Jax Smith (Virginia) 4-1 in a tactical semifinal. In the finals, he ran into Adam Sepulveda (New Jersey), falling 15-7 by major decision, but the freshman’s dominance throughout the bracket left a mark. Earlier this season, Rivadeneira had placed 3rd at the state level in the 215-pound 5A division, proving he’s just getting started.

LIAM RODEBUSH – Caldwell HS (6A, Idaho): Soph. 220 lbs [6th Place]
Rodebush’s weekend was a tale of redemption. After a tough opening-round fall to Bruno Pallone (Montana), he refused to go quietly. He ripped through the consolation bracket, recording falls over Hudson Koch (Nevada), Dexter Francis (Arkansas), Elijah Weston (South Carolina), Drew Austin (Tennessee), Aaron Ruiz-Angel (North Carolina), and Codey Dean (Georgia)—earning a spot in the All-American medal matches. He came up just short in a 6-5 loss to Mason Garno (Ohio) in the consolation semis and fell to Braxton Pulley (Tennessee) in the 5th-place match. Rodebush had also finished 4th at 215 pounds in the 6A state division, signaling his rapid rise.

Both Rivadeneira and Rodebush are up-and-coming underclassmen from Idaho, blending talent and toughness that promise to keep the Gem State on the national wrestling map for years to come. A job well done!

NHSCA ALL-AMERICANS 

195 – EMIT RIVADENEIRA (Lakeland HS, 5A), 2^nd Place (Frosh. Div.)

• RD. 1: Won by fall vs. Malachi Miner (Vermont)
• Rd. 2: Won by fall vs. Brayden McKay (Rhode Island)
• QTRS: Won by fall vs. Ari Rupe (Florida)
• SEMIS: Won by dec. 4-1 vs. Jax Smith (Virginia)
• FINALS: Lost by MD 15-7 vs. Adam Sepulveda (New Jersey)

220 – LIAM RODEBUSH (Caldwell, 6A), 6^th Place (Soph. Div.)

• RD. 1: Lost by fall vs. Bruno Pallone (Montana), eventual finalist 
• Conso #1: Bye
• Conso of 32: Won by fall vs. Hudson Koch (Nevada)
• Conso of 16 #1: Won by fall vs. Dexter Francis (Arkansas)
• Conso of 16 #2: Won by fall vs. Elijah Weston (South Carolina)
• Conso of 8 #1: Won by fall vs. Drew Austin (Tennessee)
• Conso of 8 #2: Won by fall vs. Aaron Ruiz-Angel (North Carolina)
• Conso of 4: Won by fall vs. Codey Dean (Georgia)
• Conso Semis: Lost by dec. 6-5 vs. Mason Garno (Ohio)
• Medal Match (5^th/6^th): Lost by fall vs. Braxton Pulley (Tennessee)