Schools from the Gem state have only placed three wrestlers in the Ironman since Meridian’s Tanner Hall won the 215-pound championship in 2010. It appears four schools are intent on changing that for this year. Wrestling is growing exponentially in Idaho. The reasons are plenty.

As Ironman Ambassador Al Fontes writes in his Tier 1 Idaho Wrestling Report, “Considering that the current population of Idaho is approaching 1.9 million, Team Idaho is performing exceptionally well considering the per capita statistics.” To explain the reasoning further Fontes wrote: “To sum it up, the state is buying into Chris Owens’ “Blueprint For Action,” which is to grow wrestling throughout Idaho, create a Team Idaho Concept, and build a wrestling culture that focuses on reaching one’s greatest potential at the state, national, and world levels.”

 SCHOOLS

Bishop Kelly-MATTHEW MARTINO. (Soph.)Idaho State Champion (4A) – District Champion- USAW Folkstyle All-American (16U) Fargo All-American (16U)- Pan American Games – Gold Medalist FS/GR (15U) ’21 *OW

Blackfoot-MACK MAUGER (Junior)
2x Idaho State Champion (4A)- 2x District III Champion- 4x Fargo National Champion
2x Folkstyle National Champion- 2x USA Wrestling Triple Crown Winner
Clovis Doc Buchanan Champion
Committed to University of Missouri

Blackfoot-AUSTIN RAMIREZ (Senior)
2x Idaho State runner-up

Gooding-KAYD CRAIG (Senior)
2x Idaho State Champion-3x Finalist- USAW Folkstyle All-American (JR)
Committed to University of Utah Valley

Meridian-JASON MARA (Junior)
2x Idaho State Champion (5A)- 2x District III Champion- USAW Folkstyle All-American
NHSCA National Champion (Soph. Div)- Fargo FS All-American (16U)- USAW Folkstyle National Champion (16U)
Committed to Stanford University

Meridian-ISAIAH TWAIT (Senior)
3x Idaho State Placer (3, 3, 2)- Reno TOC finalist

Meridian-HUDSON ROGERS (Junior)
Idaho State Champion (Gooding H.S. ’21)- 2x Fargo All-American (16U)
USAW Folkstyle All-American

Meridian-CARSON GOOLEY (Junior)
2nd ID State (5A)- USAW Folkstyle All-American

Meridian-CADE WHITE (Senior)
2x Idaho State Champion/3x Finalist
Fargo All-American (16U) ’21
Committed to Oregon State University