By Al Fontes

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Oklahoma has announced the 2026 state winners of the Dave Schultz (Boys) and Tricia Saunders (Girls) High School Excellence Awards.

Presented annually in all fifty states, the Excellence Awards recognize senior wrestlers who excel across three pillars: athletic achievement, academic performance, and citizenship/community service. State winners advance to regional consideration, with national winners selected from that elite group.

The United States is divided into five regions:

• West (11): Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
• Midwest (10): Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
• Central (7): Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
• Southeast (11): Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
• Northeast (11): Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

Idaho’s Legacy of Excellence

In Idaho, the Excellence Awards represent more than recognition—they reflect a sustained pipeline of competitive success that has carried well beyond the high school level.

That lineage includes Sandpoint standouts Jared Lawrence and Jake Rosholt, both of whom advanced to major collegiate programs and national-level success. The tradition continued through Adam Hall and Casey Randles, and has since reached new heights with NCAA champion Ridge Lovett and Cierra Foster.

More recently, NAIA All-Americans Joely Slyter and Alyssa Randles have helped expand Idaho’s impact on the women’s side of the sport.

That tradition continues in 2026 with this year’s state recipients: Nate Gugelman II of American Falls and Kyler Scott of Century High School, further reinforcing Idaho’s sustained standard of excellence.

Nate Gugelman II: Dominance Defined

Some careers accumulate wins. Others define eras.

At American Falls High School, Nate Gugelman II did both.

Over four seasons, Gugelman compiled a staggering 183–4 record, capturing four district titles and four state championships. His 94.4% bonus rate reflected not just victory, but control—turning nearly every match into separation.

He was equally proven on the national stage, earning USA Wrestling All-American honors at the 2023 Folkstyle Nationals and competing on the Cadet Duals All-Tournament Team. His success extended through elite regional events, including multiple titles at Rollie Lane and a breakthrough performance at Tiger-Grizz.

Gugelman also completed one of Idaho’s rarest distinctions: a three-time Triple Crown champion (2024–2026).

But his impact extended well beyond competition.

Academically, he finished first in his graduating class, earned National Honor Society recognition, and served four years in student council leadership. In the community, he contributed through American Falls Days, roadside cleanup initiatives, church service programs supporting the elderly, and youth wrestling mentorship.

Now set to continue both his academic and athletic career at Utah Valley University, Gugelman leaves high school not just as a champion—but as a complete standard of student-athlete excellence.

2026 Dave Schultz Award – Idaho Winner

The Idaho Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award did not merely identify a standout—it affirmed a complete profile of sustained excellence.

Kyler Scott: A Record-Setting Standard

On the girls’ side, Kyler Scott of Century High School delivered one of the most accomplished careers in Idaho history.

Scott closes her career with a 174–13 record, the most wins ever recorded in Idaho girls’ high school wrestling. Across four state tournament appearances, she placed 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, and 3rd, consistently positioning herself among the state’s elite.

Her success extended nationally and across premier events. She earned a 6th-place finish at the 2025 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals, was a Junior Duals National Team All-American, and captured major tournament titles at Rollie Lane (2026), Tiger-Grizz (2024, 2026), Jaybird (2026), and Big Mountain (2024, 2026).

In the classroom, Scott matched her competitive standard with academic distinction. She is a double-enrolled student graduating with an Associate’s Degree, along with a 4.163 GPA Honors Diploma and STEM endorsement. She was also recognized as a category scholarship recipient at the 2025 Pocatello Distinguished Young Women program.

Her commitment extended into the community through volunteer work with Pocatello Parks & Recreation, Toys for Tots initiatives, and youth wrestling mentorship.

Scott will continue her academic and wrestling career at Eastern Oregon University, carrying forward a resume built on consistency, discipline, and sustained excellence.

Final Word

The 2026 Idaho Excellence Award recipients reflect more than individual success—they represent a continuation of a state tradition defined by depth, discipline, and long-term impact.

Gugelman and Scott didn’t just win at the highest level in Idaho.

They helped define it.

DAVE SCHULTZ EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS (IDAHO)

2026 – Nate Gugelman II (American Falls), 4x State Champion

2025 – Matthew Martino (Bishop Kelly), 2x PAN AM Champion-FS/GR (OW)

2024 – Mack Mauger (Blackfoot), 5x Fargo Champion

2023 – Aden Attao (Borah), U20 World Bronze (GR) 

2022 – Rylan Rogers (Couer d’ Alene)

2021 – Drew Roberts (Couer d’ Alene)

2020 – Sawyer Hobbs (South Fremont), 2x NAIA AA 

2019 – Ridge Lovett (Post Falls), NCAA Div. I Champion (3x AA) 

2018 – Joseph Rice (New Plymouth)

2017 – Casey Randles (Couer d’ Alene), NAIA Champion (2x AA)

2016 – Tucker Leavitt (Highland)

2015 – Seth McLeod (Post Falls)

2014 – Hayden Tuma (Centennial)

2013 – Jared Johnshoy (Melba)

2012 – Raymond Evans (New Plymouth)

2011 – Tanner Hall (Meridian), 2x NCAA Div. I AA 

2010 – Trevor Rupp (Pocatello)

2009 – Kyle Johnshoy (Melba)

2008 – Jacob Scharbrough (Weiser)

2007 – Kirk Smith (Centennial), 2x NCAA Div. I AA

2006 – Adam Hall (Bonners Ferry), 2x NCAA Div. I AA 

2005 – Luke Smith (Idaho Falls)

2004 – Nicholas Smith (Centennial)

2003 – Jordan Johns (Aberdeen)

2002 – Tony Hook (Sandpoint)

2001 – Jake Rosholt (Sandpoint), 3x NCAA Div. I Champion (4x AA)

2000 – Lex Case (North Fremont)

1999 – Jonathan Padgett (Fruitland)

1998 – Jared Lawrence (Sandpoint), NCAA Div. I Champion (4x AA)

TRICIA SAUNDERS AWARD WINNERS (IDAHO)

2026 – Kyler Scott (Century)

2025 – Joely Slyter (Lewiston), NAIA All-American

2024 – Clare Wait (Boise)

2023 – Alyssa Randles (Couer d’ Alene), 2x NAIA All-American 

2022 – Marissa Jimenez (Caldwell)

2021 – Hannah Dupay (Meridian)

2020 – Payton Lanningham (Columbia)

2019 – Hannah Harvey (St. Maries)

2018 – Lana Hunt-Waddoups (Blackfoot)

2017 – Cierra Foster (Post Falls), 2x NAIA All-American

ABOUT THE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

DAVE SCHULTZ HIGH SCHOOL EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award is presented annually to a male high school senior who exemplifies excellence across three equally weighted criteria: competitive wrestling achievement, academic performance, and citizenship or community service.

Recipients are first selected at the state and regional levels, with those honorees advancing for consideration as the national winner.

Established in 1996, the award honors Olympic and World Champion Dave Schultz, whose life and career were tragically cut short when he was murdered in January 1996. Schultz’s legacy endures as one of the sport’s most respected figures. He was posthumously inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1997 and later into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.

TRICIA SAUNDERS HIGH SCHOOL EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award is presented annually to a female high school senior who demonstrates distinction in wrestling success, academic achievement, and citizenship or community service—each weighted equally in the selection process.

State and regional award winners advance to national consideration, where one athlete is ultimately selected as the national honoree.

First introduced in 2014, the award is named in honor of Tricia Saunders, a four-time World Champion and trailblazer in women’s wrestling. Saunders was the first woman inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006 and was later enshrined in the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011.