Final 2026 High School On SI Postseason National Girls Wrestling Rankings [by Billy Buckheit]

July 30, 2029

As the curtain falls on the 2026 postseason with the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, Idaho’s rise in girls wrestling has become impossible to ignore. The release of High School on SI’s final national rankings by wrestling analyst Billy Buckheit underscores just how far the Gem State has come in a remarkably short time.

Since Idaho officially sanctioned its Girls State Wrestling Championships in 2022, the state’s presence on the national stage has grown at an extraordinary pace. This year’s final rankings feature a record 11 Idaho wrestlers, surpassing the previous high of nine and further illustrating the depth of elite talent being developed across the state.

Released on July 31, 2026, Buckheit’s final rankings synthesize performances from the high school season, national folkstyle events, and freestyle competition, culminating at Fargo. Among the thousands of athletes evaluated nationwide, 11 Idaho standouts earned coveted national recognition—a testament to the state’s rapidly expanding influence in girls wrestling and the continued strength of its developmental pipeline.

The continued rise of Idaho girls wrestling is reflected not only in participation numbers but also in the caliber of athletes emerging from every corner of the state. In the latest national rankings, 11 Idaho wrestlers earned recognition, underscoring the Gem State’s rapidly growing reputation as a producer of elite talent. Leading the way is Olivia Bezdicek (Jerome), who climbed to No. 6 nationally at 130 pounds after capturing All-American honors at the 2026 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo, adding to an already impressive collection of three national All-American finishes. Joining her among the nation’s top ten is Kinzie Williams (American Falls), ranked No. 9 at 115 pounds following her breakthrough All-American performance in Fargo, while Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot) also holds the No. 9 ranking at 140 pounds after earning national All-American distinction this summer.

The depth of Idaho’s talent extends well beyond the top ten. Ali Svancara (Buhl) is ranked No. 12 nationally at 115 pounds, bolstered by her second career Fargo All-American finish, while Kalaya Baxter (Fruitland) has already emerged as one of the nation’s premier middle school prospects, earning the No. 22 ranking at 95 pounds. State champion Taylor Drake (Kuna) is ranked No. 23 at 105 pounds, Shelby Garten (Timberlake) sits at No. 22 at 135 pounds after capturing the 2026 state title, Charlee Noah (Tri-Valley) is No. 30 at 125 pounds, and multi-time state medalist Lilli Marti (Sandpoint) rounds out the nationally ranked wrestlers at No. 29 in the 207-pound division.

Equally impressive are the athletes receiving Honorable Mention recognition, further illustrating the depth of Idaho’s emerging talent pool. Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain), a three-time state medalist and state champion, earned honorable mention at 120 pounds, while Molly Olague (Skyline) received honorable mention at 170 pounds after establishing herself as a two-time state finalist and national All-American.

Collectively, these 11 nationally recognized wrestlers represent the strongest generation of girls wrestling talent Idaho has produced since the sport became an officially sanctioned IHSAA championship in 2022. Their accomplishments—highlighted by multiple Fargo All-Americans, state champions, and nationally ranked underclassmen—demonstrate that Idaho is no longer an emerging state in girls wrestling, but one capable of consistently developing athletes who can compete with the nation’s very best. As the state’s talent pipeline continues to expand, Idaho’s presence in future national rankings appears poised to become the expectation rather than the exception.

IDAHO WRESTLERS [Record 11]

95 – Kalaya Baxter [Fruitland] #22 

105 – Taylor Drake [Kuna] #23 

115 – Kinzie Williams [American Falls] #9 

115 – Ali Svancara [Buhl] #12 

120 – Talea Nichols [Rocky Mountain] HM 

125 – Charlee Noah [Tri-Valley] #30 

130 – Olivia Bezdicek [Jerome] #6 

135 – Shelby Garten [Timberlake] #22 

140 – Keanna Conrad [Blackfoot] #9 

170 – Molly Olague [Skyline] HM, 

207 – Lilli Marti [Sandpoint] #29 

Photo images courtesy of American Falls, Tri-Valley, Blackfoot wrestling, and Scott Lebsack, and Nicole Bezdicek.

Follow me on X @Coach_Al_1984 | on Instagram @tier_one_idaho | on Facebook @TIER1 WRESTLING