By Al Fontes, NWHOF Writer

Idaho wrestling is no longer measured by state success alone. It is now a proven contributor to the national collegiate landscape — producing All-Americans, NCAA qualifiers, and championship-level performers across every division of the sport.

As the 2026 signing cycle unfolds, the Gem State continues to strengthen its position as one of the most reliable talent pipelines in the western United States. Former Hidden Gems and Tier 1 prospects are not only reaching the next level — they are impacting it immediately.

That reality was reinforced this past season at the NCAA Division I level, where Matthew Martino (Princeton), Mack Mauger (Missouri), Rylan Rogers (Lehigh), and Monhonri Rushton (Northern Colorado) all reached the NCAA Championships. Their presence underscored a shifting standard: Idaho athletes are no longer qualifying as exceptions — they are becoming expected competitors on the national stage.

The pipeline is not slowing down. It is expanding.

At the top of the 2026 class, Nathan Gugelman II stands as one of the most accomplished recruits in state history — a four-time state champion and All-American whose consistency has made him a national-level prospect from the outset. Alongside him, Brand’n Edstrom (Class of 2027) brings a similar profile of sustained dominance as a 6A state champion, three-time finalist, and All-American projection with clear Division I upside.

At the junior college level, Idaho’s identity of toughness and development depth continues to show. Colton Tucker and Seth Martin both earned NJCAA All-American honors in 2026, reinforcing North Idaho College’s role as one of the state’s most important developmental engines and a consistent bridge to four-year success.

Across every tier — NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA — Idaho is no longer simply producing recruits. It is producing collegiate-ready contributors.

IDAHO MEN’S WRESTLING COLLEGE COMMITS (2023-2026)

Idaho Men’s Wrestling College Commits (2023–2026)

By Collegiate Division

Division	2023	2024	2025	2026	TOTAL
NCAA Division I	11	11	3	4	29
NCAA Division II	2	5	5	4	16
NCAA Division III	1	4	0	1	6
NAIA	12	6	14	17	49
NJCAA	12	4	12	10	38
NCWA / Collegiate Club	0	6	16	10	32

A Statewide Pipeline Defined by Volume and Versatility

The defining feature of Idaho’s 2026 class is not just its top-end talent, but its structural depth. Over four recruiting cycles (2023–2026), Idaho wrestling has built a multi-division pipeline that now spans every major collegiate pathway.

At the NCAA level (Division I, II, and III combined), Idaho has produced 52 total commits, including 32 at Division I, 16 at Division II, and 5 at Division III, confirming a consistent ability to generate Power Four–caliber and national-level talent.

The NAIA has emerged as the largest destination with 60 total commits (41 men, 19 women), reflecting both opportunity and fit within the state’s competitive middle tier. The NJCAA route accounts for 29 total commits (25 men, 4 women), continuing its role as a proven developmental bridge. Meanwhile, NCWA and club pathways account for 25 additional athletes (19 men, 6 women), underscoring the sport’s expanding long-term participation base in Idaho.

Across all levels, Idaho wrestling has produced 165 collegiate commitments from 2023–2026 — a number that reflects not just output, but system-wide sustainability.

National Results Validate the Pipeline

Commitments alone no longer define Idaho wrestling — results do.

At the 2026 NAIA National Championships, former Idaho prep standouts delivered one of the state’s strongest postseason performances to date.

Hunter Hobbs (South Fremont / Providence, continued Idaho’s national presence with a solid tournament run, while Isaiah Twait (Meridian / Corban University) added his second NAIA All-American honor, reinforcing long-term consistency at the national level.

The breakthrough performance came from Kenneth Copley (Sugar-Salem / Embry-Riddle), who captured a national title alongside his third All-American finish — a résumé that places him among Idaho’s most accomplished recent collegiate products.

Nico Rodriguez (Columbia / Eastern Oregon) added another All-American finish, extending Idaho’s presence across multiple NAIA programs and reinforcing the state’s competitive depth rather than isolated success.

The pattern is clear: Idaho athletes are no longer simply qualifying for national tournaments — they are finishing them on the podium and winning them.

High School Depth: A Distributed Talent Model

Idaho’s recruiting output is not concentrated in a single region or program. It is distributed across a statewide network of consistent development programs.

• Bishop Kelly (5A) — 9 commits
• Meridian (6A) — 9 commits
• Post Falls (6A) — 8 commits
• Blackfoot (5A) — 7 commits
• Nampa (5A) — 7 commits
• Caldwell (5A) — 6 commits
• Mountain View (6A) — 5 commits
• Fruitland (4A) — 5 commits
• American Falls (5A) — 5 commits
• Weiser (4A) — 4 commits

The competitive balance across classifications reinforces a defining trait of Idaho wrestling: elite talent is developed statewide, not centralized in a single powerhouse corridor.

Division I: Proven Production at the Highest Level

At the Division I level, Idaho’s 2026 class is anchored by athletes with established championship résumés and proven national competitiveness.

Jake Mescher (Class of 2027) committed to the United States Air Force Academy following a career defined by three state titles and national All-American recognition.

Nathan Gugelman II signed with Utah Valley University after completing a rare four-time state championship run, while Brand’n Edstrom (Class of 2027) joins him as a similarly decorated prospect with a state title, three state finals appearances, and All-American credentials.

Blaise Turner (Class of 2027) adds further depth as a two-time state champion and three-time medalist, reinforcing the class’s competitive floor at the highest level.

Collectively, this group reflects Idaho’s growing ability not just to place athletes in Division I programs — but to send athletes capable of scoring at that level.

Division II, NAIA, and Expanding Opportunity

Across Division II and NAIA programs, Idaho athletes continue to transition from prep dominance to collegiate productivity.

Jaxson Freeman and Ryan Lewis (Western Colorado University) bring championship-level consistency and postseason experience, while Dylan Dottaviano is headed to Quincy College in Illinois, Marcus Aleman to Eastern Oregon, and Johnny Behm continues his career at Tiffin University (OH) after a decorated Idaho run.

NAIA programs including Eastern Oregon University, Providence University, and Doane University remain consistent landing spots for Idaho talent, reflecting both recruiting trust and developmental alignment.

Junior College: North Idaho College as a National Launch Point

North Idaho College continues to function as one of the most important development hubs in the region.

The program added Rider Seguine, a three-time state champion and four-time finalist, along with Damion Hamilton and Aiden Yearout, reinforcing NIC’s identity as a high-performance bridge to four-year programs.

Additional Idaho athletes continue to progress through Clackamas, Big Bend, and Colorado Northwestern, further validating the JUCO route as a consistent pathway to national-level opportunity.

Women’s Wrestling: Immediate National Impact

Idaho’s women’s wrestling pipeline is no longer emerging — it is producing immediate collegiate results at the national level.

At the NAIA level, Lita Cruz (Minico / Grand View) earned All-American honors, extending Idaho’s presence within one of the sport’s premier programs. Joely Slyter (Lewiston / Providence) and Alyssa Randles (Coeur d’Alene / Providence) have both transitioned directly from decorated prep careers into collegiate-level production within the Providence system.

At the NCAA level, Liv Wieber (Eagle / Simon Fraser University) delivered a landmark performance, earning All-American honors and becoming the first athlete in program history to place at the inaugural 2026 NCAA Championships — a defining moment for both Idaho wrestling and Simon Fraser’s women’s program.

Her sister, Holland Wieber (Eagle / Southern Oregon), continues her development within a rising NAIA program, further reinforcing the statewide depth of elite female talent.

Together, these performances represent a structural shift: Idaho’s girls’ wrestling pipeline is no longer theoretical — it is already producing national podium athletes.

COLLEGE COMMITS ’26 – WOMEN’S DIVISION: CONTINUING THE GROWTH OF IDAHO GIRLS WRESTLING

Idaho’s Class of 2026 women’s wrestling recruits continue to showcase the remarkable growth and depth of the state’s girls wrestling programs, with 13 athletes committing to compete at the collegiate level across NCAA, NAIA, junior college, and club programs. At the NCAA Division II level, Talea Nichols of Rocky Mountain High School and Sarah Toribau of Oakley High School will continue their academic and athletic careers at the University of Sioux Falls and Western Colorado University, respectively. The NAIA ranks feature three standout signees, including Audry Winkles of Tri-Valley and Kyler Scott of Century, who will both join Eastern Oregon University, while Eagle’s Caddy Tverdy has committed to Providence University. The junior college route remains a strong developmental pathway, with Madeleine Hatchett of Glenns Ferry and Margaret Hutchings of Filer both signing with Snow College in Utah, while Heather Bryne of Bonneville will compete for Southwest Oregon Community College. Idaho’s club and NCWA programs also attracted a significant group of talented wrestlers. Treasure Valley Community College secured commitments from Emma Stansell of Kuna, Maddie Modawell of Mountain View, Lilli Marti of Sandpoint, and Jayda Keffer of Fruitland, while Eagle’s Tommy Stone and Grace’s Sky Cloud will continue their wrestling careers at Utah Tech. Collectively, these commitments reflect the continued expansion of women’s wrestling opportunities and highlight the strength of Idaho’s high school programs in developing athletes capable of competing at the next level. The Class of 2026 commits represent schools from every corner of the state and multiple classification levels, underscoring the widespread growth and competitive success of girls wrestling throughout Idaho.

Final Outlook: A System, Not a Surge

The 2026 class does not represent an isolated breakthrough. It reflects a stabilized system.

Idaho wrestling is now producing athletes across every level — NCAA Division I qualifiers, NAIA All-Americans, NJCAA champions, and NCAA-placing women’s competitors — with consistent geographic and programmatic distribution.

The significance is not just in the numbers, but in the continuity. Each cycle reinforces the same pattern: statewide development, multi-division placement, and immediate collegiate impact.

Idaho is no longer emerging as a wrestling state.

It has become a sustained national producer — and the 2026 class is its clearest confirmation yet.

COLLEGE COMMITS ’26 [Men’s Div.]

NCAA DIVISION I

• Jake Mescher [Bishop Kelly, 5A], Air Force Academy [Class of 2027]
• Nathan Gugelman II [American Falls, 4A], Utah Valley University 
• Brand’n Edstrom [Madison, 6A], Utah Valley University [Class of 2027]
• Blaise Turner [American Falls, 4A], University of Wyoming  [Class of 2027]

NCAA DIVISION II

• Dylan Dottaviano [Bishop Kelly, 5A], Quincy College [IL]
• Jaxson Freeman [Caldwell, 6A], Western Colorado University
• Ryan Lewis [Middleton, 5A], Western Colorado University
• Johnny Behm [Shelley, 5A], Tiffin University [OH]

NCAA Division III

• Cooper Lehosit [Emmett, 5A], Pacific University [OR]

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS [NAIA]

• Rocco White [Coeur d’Alene HS, 6A], Wayland Baptist University
• Sawyer Anderson [Highland HS, 6A], Providence University
• Hoyt Hvass [Lewiston HS, 5A | NIC], Montana St. University – Northern 
• Ryan Amoureux [Meridian, 6A], Eastern Oregon University
• Eli Noah [Tri-Valley, 1A], Eastern Oregon University
• Ilan Schank [Nampa, 5A], Eastern Oregon University 
• Nikko Gonzalez [Nampa, 5A | Clackamas CC], Eastern Oregon University 
• Marcus Aleman [Fruitland, 4A], Eastern Oregon University
• Teagan Navarro [Nampa, 5A], Eastern Oregon University
• Lochlan McCormack [Capital, 6A], Eastern Oregon University
• Logan Shaver [Meridian, 6A], Providence University (MT]
• Fabian Pierce [Buhl, 4A], Providence University (MT]
• Ryan Hirchert [Nampa, 5A], Reinhardt University (GA]
• Ty Adams [Blackfoot, 5A], Doane University (NE] 
• Jakeem Ashley [Blackfoot, 5A], Central Christian College (KS]
• Bradley Bones [Meridian, 6A], Corban University (OR]
• Tensei Thompson [Bishop Kelly, 5A], Doane University

NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION [NJCAA]

• Damien Avila (Blackfoot, 5a), Clackamas CC
• Zachary David [St. Maries, 3A], Big Bend CC
• Amado Stewart [St. Maries, 3A], Big Bend CC 
• Rider Seguine [Post Falls, 6A | CSU Bakersfield]
• Aiden Yearout [St. Maries, 3A], North Idaho College [NIC] 
• Justus Peregrina [Coeur d’ Alene, 6A], North Idaho College [NIC] 
• Damion Hamilton [Post Falls, 6A], North Idaho College [NIC]
• Eliezer Sarceno [Nampa, 5A/Treasure Vly. CC], Colorado Northwestern CC
• Kaden Bunderson [Pocatello, 5A], Wyoming CC 
• Gabriel Archuleta [Pocatello, 5A], Umpqua CC

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE WRESTLING ASSOCIATION (Club Status]

• Dylan Frothinger [Eagle, 6A], Utah Tech.
• Daniel Meir [Owyhee, 6A], Treasure Valley CC 
• Adrian Gutierrez [Jerome, 5A], Treasure Valley CC 
• Ezra Clemens [Fruitland, 4A], Treasure Valley CC
• Raymond Holland [Capital, 6A], Treasure Valley CC 
• Tristian Vega [Burley HS, 5A], Treasure Valley CC
• Ethan Chase [Payette, 4A], University of Idaho 
• Titus Dillow [American Falls, 4A], University of Idaho
• Ezra Lewis [Madison, 6A], Utah Tech.

COLLEGE COMMITS ’26 [Women’s Div.]

NCAA Division II

• Talea Nichols [Rocky Mountain, 6A], University of Sioux Falls [SD]
• Sarah Toribau [Oakley, 2A], Western Colorado University 

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS [NAIA]

• Audry Winkles (Tri-Valley, 1A), Eastern Oregon University
• Kyler Scott (Century, 5A), Eastern Oregon University
• Caddy Tverdy (Eagle, 6A), Providence University
• Shelby Garten (Timberlake, 4A), Bellevue College [NE]

NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION [NJCAA]

• Madeleine Hatchett [Glenns Ferry, 2A], Snow College [UT] 
• Margaret Hutchings [Filer, 4A], Snow College [UT]
• Heather Bryne [Bonneville, 5A], Southwest Oregon CC

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE WRESTLING ASSOCIATION [Club Status]

• Emma Stansell [Kuna, 6A], Treasure Valley CC
• Maddie Modawell [Mountain View, 6A], Treasure Valley CC
• Lilli Marti (Sandpoint, 4A), Treasure Valley CC
• Jayda Keffer [Fruitland, 4A], Treasure Valley CC
• Tommy Stone [Eagle, 6A], Utah Tech.
• Sky Cloud [Grace, 2A], Utah Tech.

Photo images: Mark Mescher, Nate Gugelman, Rocky Mountain, Century, Nampa, and Caldwell athletics.

Editor’s Note: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this list of collegiate wrestling commitments. If a committed student-athlete has been inadvertently omitted, please contact coachal777@gmail.com with the appropriate information for consideration in future updates.

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