The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has unveiled its NCAA Division I Men’s Scholar All-American Awards—spotlighting elite academic performers on the mat.

• 390 student-athletes honored
• 73 institutions represented

Idaho shows up strong.

I had the chance to cover five of the seven Idaho honorees in past HIDDEN GEMS / TIER ONE Q&As—and the pattern was clear:

dominant in the classroom, dominant on the mat.

They set the standard in high school—and now they’re raising it at the next level.

In the world of wrestling, few names carry the weight of excellence like these. From the gritty mats of Idaho high schools to the national stage, these athletes have redefined what it means to dominate both academically and athletically. Jake Castagneto, a two-time state champion from Bishop Kelly, and Shilo Jones, a Fargo national champ and U20 World Team member, exemplify precision and power. Matthew Martino’s four-state titles, Fargo, and Pan-American gold medals mark him as a force at Princeton, while Mack Mauger’s five-time Fargo triumphs and NCAA qualifier status spotlight Blackfoot’s rising star. Hudson and Ryland Rogers, state champions turned national contenders, continue to elevate Utah Valley and Lehigh, and Mahonri Rushton’s journey from McCall-Donnelly to NCAA battles reminds us that champions come in all regions of Idaho, small school-Big school. Together, this roster isn’t just a list—it’s a testament to dedication, grit, and the relentless pursuit of greatness in our sport. CONGRATULATIONS!!

The following is a distinguished list of academic and athletic leaders in our great sport. 

DIVISION I SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICANS

• JAKE CASTAGNETO [Utah Valley University | Bishop Kelly HS, 5A]
• SHILO JONES [North Dakota State | Mountain View HS, 6A]
• MATTHEW MARTINO [Princeton | Bishop Kelly HS, 5A]
• MACK MAUGER [University of Missouri | Blackfoot HS, 4A]
• HUDSON ROGERS [Utah Valley Univ. | Meridian HS, 6A]
• RYLAND ROGERS [Lehigh Univ. | Coeur d’ Alene HS, 6A]
• MAHONRI RUSHTON [Univ. of Northern Colorado | McCall-Donnelly HS, 3A]

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