|
The 2022 Idaho State Wrestling Championships held at Holt Arena in Pocatello lived up to all of my pre-tournament expectations and much more. It was definitely a barnburner of an event from start to finish.
Unlike last year’s state championships at the Idaho Center in Nampa, which was conducted in just one day with limited fan capacity (a result of COVID protocols), this year’s event was packed to near capacity and highly energetic to say the least, especially during the blood round (round of 12), medal matches, and championship finals. Having come from a single class system (no divisions) in California, my first experience with the two day multiple class (5A, 4A, 3A, 2A/1A, and Girls) state tournament was very exciting, filled with great competition from start to finish, and was well-coordinated and well-run throughout.
This year’s event crowned five new 4x State Champions, including the first in the Girls division. Another nine wrestlers joined the 3x State Champions Club, while seventeen others earned their respective second title. Additionally, twenty-three wrestlers brought home their fourth state medal.
In the team races, Meridian won their second 5A title in a row, while Minico (4A), South Fremont (3A), and Ririe (2A) won their respective divisions. In the Girls division, Eagle won their second state tournament in a row with this year’s title being the first earned in an officially sponsored state event.
Overall, the 2022 Idaho State Wrestling Championships did not disappoint. The following is my comprehensive breakdown of the final state results per each division, including the first officially sponsored Girl’s State Championships.
5A DIVISION
The 5A division produced a large contingent of talented wrestlers this year with multiple state titles, placings, and All-American honors to their credit. Joining the rare 4x State Champions Club is Coeur d’ Alene’s Gunner Giulio. Coming into the state tournament with a 28-2 record and the number one seed in the 170 pound weight group, Giulo battled Meridian’s 2x state placer Isaiah Twait (Jr.) for three solid rounds coming out on top with a 9-5 decision.
Following and in position to win a possible fourth state title next season is Eagle’s Tanner Frothinger. A Fargo All-American this past summer, Frothinger dominated the 126 weight group throughout, defeating Kuna’s sophomore Zanlen White in the final by a decision of 8-1. Earning their second state titles include Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge – 113s), Jason Mara (Meridian – 138s), Cael Palmer (160s), and Rylan Rogers (195s). Only sophomores, both Eck and Mara (Fargo All-American) put on full display why they are among the top underclassman in the state with championship performances in highly competitive weight groups.
Seeded first at 132s, Fargo All-American Tristan Bremer of Lewiston left no doubt that he was the top pick at this competitive weight group. Earning his second state title, Bremer also joined the 4x State Placers Club (3, 1, 2, 1). At 145s, Washington transfer Porter Craig of Coeur d’ Alene beat junior standout Cade White (Meridian, 11), a 2x Champion and Fargo All-American by fall in the second round of the final. Winning his second state title in a row (third state medal), Kuna’s Cael Palmer systematically outwrestled his competition at 160s, winning 13-9 in the final against 3x state placer Logan Taylor of Centennial.
Perhaps the best wrestler in the state of Idaho, Coeur d’ Alene’s Rylan Rogers, spent just over four minutes total on the mat en route to his second state title, pinning all his opponents in the first period. A past National Prep Champion and Fargo All-American at Blair Academy in New Jersey, Rogers is committed to wrestle for the University of Michigan. At 285s, Fargo All-American Aden Attao of Borah (Junior) put on full display why he is among the top heavyweights in the country when he handled returning state finalist Ian Allen of Highland in the final, winning 4-0 after registering three pins in a row leading up to this match.
Other 5A State Champions include, Rider Sequine (Post Falls – 98s), Zach MacDonald (Lake City – 106s), Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston – 120s), Brodyn Sunada (Meridian – 152s), Carter Torres (Kuna – 182s), and Eli Anderton (Highland – 220s). Additionally, Timberline’s Joshua Mendoza, a 2021 State Champion fell short this year, but also joined the 4x State Placers Club (4, 4, 1, 2).
In the team race, Meridian won back-to-back state titles with two individual champions and fourteen placers overall. What appeared early on in the tournament as a three team race with Coeur d’ Alene and Post Falls, Meridian battled through the medal matches and edged state runner-up Coeur d’ Alene by 9.5 points.
Taking a closer look at the 5A state results, 73 out of the 90 wrestlers seeded in the top 6 placed (81%), while seeds 7th/8th had 11 placers (12%), followed by non-seeds with 6 (7%). The lowest seed to win an individual state title was #4 Eli Anderton of Highland at 220s. Additionally, the total number of No. 2 wrestlers to place at state was 9 (10%) and incoming freshman placers at 9 (10%).
TOP 10 TEAM RESULTS
1 – Meridian (District III): 290.5 (2 State Champs/14 Placers)
2 – Coeur d’ Alene (District I): 281.0 (3 State Champs/14 placers)
3 – Post Falls (District I): 248.0 (1 State Champs/15 Placers)
4 – Kuna (District III): 159.0 (2 State Champs/7 Placers)
5 – Thunder Ridge (District VI): 129.0 (1 State Champ/5 Placers)
6 – Highland (District V): 114.0 (1 State Champ/5 Placers)
7 – Rocky Mountain (District III): 105.5 (6 Placers)
8 – Mountain View (District III): 95.5 (4 Placers)
9 – Lewiston (District II): 79.5 (2 State Champs/3 Placers)
10 – Centennial (District III): 66.5 (3 Placers)
INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONS
98 – Rider Seguine (Post Falls, 9)
106 – Zach Macdonald (Lake City, 11)
113 – Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge, 10)
120 – Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston, 10)
126 – Tanner Frothinger (Eagle, 11)
132 – Tristan Bremer (Lewiston, 12)
138 – Jason Mara (Meridian, 10)
145 – Porter Craig (Coeur d’ Alene, 12)
152 – Brodyn Sunada (Meridian, 12)
160 – Cael Palmer (Kuna, 12)
170 – Gunner Giulio (Coeur d’ Alene, 12)
182 – Carter Torres (Kuna, 12)
195 – Rylan Rogers (Coeur d’ Alene, 12)
220 – Eli Anderton (Highland, 11)
285 – Aden Attao (Borah, 11)
4x STATE CHAMPIONS
170 – Gunner Giulio (Coeur d’ Alene, 12)
3x STATE CHAMPIONS
126 – Tanner Frothinger (Eagle, 11)
2x STATE CHAMPIONS
113 – Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge, 10)
132 – Tristan Bremer (Lewiston, 12)
138 – Jason Mara (Meridian 10)
145 – Cade White (Meridian, 11)
160 – Cael Palmer (Kuna, 12)
195 – Rylan Rogers (Coeur d’ Alene, 12)
4x STATE PLACERS
120 – Joshua Mendoza (Timberline, 12): 4th, 4th, 1st, 2nd
132 – Tristan Bremer (Lewiston, 12): 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 1st
170 – Gunner Giulio (Coeur d’ Alene, 12): 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st
3X STATE PLACERS
106 – Zach Macdonald (Lake City, 11): 5th, 2nd, 1st
126 – Tanner Frothinger (Eagle, 11): 1st, 1st, 1st
138 – Noah Ingram (Madison, 12): 6th, 4th, 2nd
145 – Cade White (Meridian, 11): 1st, 1st , 2nd
145 – Tyler Jones (Rocky Mountain, 12): 5th, 2nd, 3rd
160 – Cael Palmer (Kuna, 12): 5th, 1st, 1st
160 – Logan Taylor (Centennial, 12): 5th, 4th, 2nd
160 – Rustan Cordingley (Highland, 11): 3rd, 3rd, 4th
170 – Isaiah Twait (Meridian, 11): 3rd, 3rd, 2nd
170 – Payton Brooks (Rigby, 12): 5th, 3rd, 3rd
182 – Luke Sidwell (Highland, 12): 4th, 4th, 2nd
182 – Jay Sallee (Meridian, 12): 6th, 6th, 4th
285 – Ian Allen (Highland, 12): 4th, 2nd, 2nd
2x STATE PLACERS (SENIORS ONLY)
113 – Teigan Dickersen (Meridian, 12): 4th, 3rd
126 – Zac Kimes (Meridian, 12): 5th, 5th
145 – Mason Keough (Coeur d’ Alene, 12): 5th, 4th
152 – Brody Sunada (Meridian, 12): 4th, 1st
152 – Demarco Piazza (Coeur d’ Alene, 12): 6th, 2nd
160 – Caden Frix (Meridian, 12): 3rd, 5th
160 – Carsen Speelman (Coeur d’ Alene, 12): 6th, 6th
182 – Carter Torres (Kuna, 12): 3rd, 1st
195 – Rylan Rogers (Coeur d’ Alene, 12): 1st, 1st
220 – Beau Spillman (Coeur d’ Alene, 12): 5th, 4th
285 – Landon Gneiting (Idaho Falls, 12): 6th, 6th
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE STATE RESULTS
- State placers seeded in the top 6: 73/90 = 81%
- State placers seeded 7th/8th: 11/90 = 12%
- State placers – Non seeds (NS): 6/90 = 7%
- Lowest seed to win state: Eli Anderton (Highland, 11) #4 at 220s
- Total number of No. 2 wrestlers to place at state: 9/90 = 10%
- Total number of incoming freshmen to place at state: 9/90 = 10%
FINAL RESULTS (TOP 6)
PLACE (SCHOOL, GRADE) #SEED
98
1 - Rider Seguine (Post Falls, 9) #1
2 - Christian Kelly (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) #2
3 - Gabriel Arnold (Meridian, 9) #3
4 - Bode Alexander (Coeur d’ Alene, 10) #4
5 - Hunter Anderson (Rigby, 9) NS
6 - Chase Jensen (Rocky Mountain, 10) #7
1st Place Match
Rider Seguine (Post Falls) 38-4, Fr. over Christian Kelly (Coeur d’ Alene) 31-6, Sr. (Dec 3-1)
3rd Place Match
Gabriel Arnold (Meridian) 42-6, Fr. over Bode Alexander (Coeur d’ Alene) 21-12, So. (Dec 2-0)
5th Place Match
Hunter Anderson (Rigby) 20-19, Fr. over Chase Jensen (Rocky Mountain) 34-15, So. (Dec 3-0)
106
1 - Zach Macdonald (Lake City, 11) #1
2 - Jerimiah Gonzalez (Meridian, 9) #2
3 - Isaac Scott (Thunder Ridge, 11) #4
4 - Ethan Wilson (Post Falls, 9) #6
5 - Junior Flores (Centennial, 11) #5
6 - Noyd Monroe (Kuna, 9) #7
1st Place Match
Zach Macdonald (Lake City) 35-6, Jr. over Jerimiah Gonzalez (Meridian) 41-8, Fr. (Fall 1:42)
3rd Place Match
Isaac Scott (Thunder Ridge) 38-13, Jr. over Ethan Wilson (Post Falls) 16-14, Fr. (MD 15-5)
5th Place Match
Junior Flores (Centennial) 30-11, Jr. over Noyd Monroe (Kuna) 27-17, Fr. (Dec 4-3)
113
1 - Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge, 10) #1
2 - Cole Currin (Kuna, 10) #2
3 - Teigan Dickerson (Meridian, 12) #6
4 - Cael Bullock (Rocky Mountain, 10) #3
5 - Zack Campbell (Post Falls, 11) #4
6 - Joey Madden (Eagle, 11) #5
1st Place Match
Talen Eck (Thunder Ridge) 48-4, So. over Cole Currin (Kuna) 41-10, So. (Dec 7-5)
3rd Place Match
Teigan Dickerson (Meridian) 31-15, Sr. over Cael Bullock (Rocky Mountain) 40-13, So. (Fall 3:19)
5th Place Match
Zack Campbell (Post Falls) 24-17, Jr. over Joey Madden (Eagle) 35-17, Jr. (Dec 3-0)
120
1 - Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston, 10) #3
2 - Joshua Mendoza (Timberline, 12) #1
3 - Matthew Papa (Meridian, 10) #4
4 - Tyson Barnhart (Post Falls, 10) #5
5 - Hunter Lowe (Kuna, 10) #6
6 - Will Rossi (Coeur d’ Alene, 9) NS
1st Place Match
Hoyt Hvass (Lewiston) 38-3, So. over Joshua Mendoza (Timberline) 31-8, Sr. (Dec 7-4)
3rd Place Match
Matthew Papa (Meridian) 30-9, So. over Tyson Barnhart (Post Falls) 36-11, So. (Dec 4-3)
5th Place Match
Hunter Lowe (Kuna) 32-15, So. over Will Rossi (Coeur d’ Alene) 26-17, Fr. (Fall 3:40)
126
1 - Tanner Frothinger (Eagle, 11) #1 ALL-AMERICAN
2 - Zanlen White (Kuna, 10) #2
3 - Blaine Leonard (Lake City, 11) #8
4 - Adrien Wess (Mountain View, 11) #7
5 - Trey Smith (Post Falls, 9) #4
6 - Payson Solomon (Highland, 11) #3
1st Place Match
Tanner Frothinger (Eagle) 46-5, Jr. over Zanlen White (Kuna) 39-8, So. (Dec 8-1)
3rd Place Match
Blaine Leonard (Lake City) 41-9, Jr. over Adrien Wess (Mountain View) 30-18, Jr. (Dec 6-3)
5th Place Match
Trey Smith (Post Falls) 25-14, Fr. over Payson Solomon (Highland) 33-16, Jr. (Fall 2:38)
132
1 - Tristan Bremer (Lewiston, 12) #1 ALL-AMERICAN
2 - Dax Larsen (Coeur d’ Alene, 11) #6
3 - Luke Jensen (Rocky Mountain, 12) #2
4 - Titus Nichols (Rocky Mountain, 11) #4
5 - Josiah Wickard (Centennial, 12) #5
6 - Connor McCarroll (Post Falls, 11) #3
1st Place Match
Tristan Bremer (Lewiston) 40-2, Sr. over Dax Larsen (Coeur d’ Alene) 30-13, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:14 (15-0))
3rd Place Match
Luke Jensen (Rocky Mountain) 46-12, Sr. over Titus Nichols (Rocky Mountain) 29-11, Jr. (Dec 2-0)
5th Place Match
Josiah Wickard (Centennial) 35-15, Sr. over Connor McCarroll (Post Falls) 19-11, Jr. (MD 10-2)
138
1 - Jason Mara (Meridian, 10) #1 2X ALL-AMERICAN
2 - Noah Ingram (Madison, 12) #2
3 - Kody Rich (Kuna, 11) #4
4 - Seth Martin (Post Falls, 9) #6
5 - Judah Howie (Meridian, 12) #8
6 - Dylan Moffat (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) #3
1st Place Match
Jason Mara (Meridian) 45-2, So. over Noah Ingram (Madison) 44-6, Sr. (Dec 3-0)
3rd Place Match
Kody Rich (Kuna) 33-8, Jr. over Seth Martin (Post Falls) 33-14, Fr. (Dec 2-0)
5th Place Match
Judah Howie (Meridian) 32-16, Sr. over Dylan Moffat (Coeur d’ Alene) 23-7, Sr. (Dec 8-1)
145
1 - Porter Craig (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) #2
2 - Cade White (Meridian, 11) #1 ALL-AMERICAN
3 - Tyler Jones (Rocky Mountain, 12) #3
4 - Mason Keough (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) NS
5 - Gabe Terrill (Thunder Ridge, 12) #4
6 - Andy Garcia (Mountain View, 12) #8
1st Place Match
Porter Craig (Coeur d’ Alene) 32-3, Sr. over Cade White (Meridian) 42-7, Jr. (Fall 3:09)
3rd Place Match
Tyler Jones (Rocky Mountain) 19-2, Sr. over Mason Keough (Coeur d’ Alene) 25-14, Sr. (TF-1.5 5:00 (20-5))
5th Place Match
Gabe Terrill (Thunder Ridge) 47-10, Sr. over Andy Garcia (Mountain View) 37-15, Sr. (Dec 6-4)
152
1 - Brodyn Sunada (Meridian, 12) #1
2 - Demarco Piazza (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) #2
3 - John Rudebaugh (Post Falls, 11) #5
4 - Zac Henderson (Rocky Mountain, 11) #3
5 - Wesley Littleton (Skyview, 12) NS
6 - Parker Mack (Meridian, 12) #4
1st Place Match
Brodyn Sunada (Meridian) 43-6, Sr. over Demarco Piazza (Coeur d’ Alene) 36-8, Sr. (Dec 10-3)
3rd Place Match
John Rudebaugh (Post Falls) 30-18, Jr. over Zac Henderson (Rocky Mountain) 28-14, Jr. (MD 8-0)
5th Place Match
Wesley Littleton (Skyview) 34-20, Sr. over Parker Mack (Meridian) 35-15, Sr. (MD 15-2)
160
1 - Cael Palmer (Kuna, 12) #1
2 - Logan Taylor (Centennial, 12) #7
3 - Sebastian Prangley (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) #5
4 - Rustan Cordingley (Highland, 11) #6
5 - Caden Frix (Meridian, 12) #3
6 - Carsen Speelman (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) #8
1st Place Match
Cael Palmer (Kuna) 28-2, Sr. over Logan Taylor (Centennial) 40-9, Sr. (Dec 13-9)
3rd Place Match
Sebastian Prangley (Coeur d’ Alene) 31-8, Sr. over Rustan Cordingley (Highland) 38-13, Jr. (Inj. 2:20)
5th Place Match
Caden Frix (Meridian) 42-11, Sr. over Carsen Speelman (Coeur d’ Alene) 24-15, So. (Dec 3-0)
170
1 - Gunner Giulio (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) #1
2 - Isaiah Twait (Meridian, 11) #2
3 - Payton Brooks (Rigby, 12) #3
4 - Jose Laguna (Post Falls, 11) #4
5 - Max Leavitt (Thunder Ridge, 12) #5
6 - Lucas Sears (Meridian, 12) #7
1st Place Match
Gunner Giulio (Coeur d’ Alene) 22-1, Sr. over Isaiah Twait (Meridian) 46-4, Jr. (Dec 9-5)
3rd Place Match
Payton Brooks (Rigby) 44-4, Sr. over Jose Laguna (Post Falls) 36-10, Jr. (Dec 3-2)
5th Place Match
Max Leavitt (Thunder Ridge) 45-13, Sr. over Lucas Sears (Meridian) 30-12, Sr. (Fall 3:19)
182
1 - Carter Torres (Kuna, 12) #2
2 - Luke Sidwell (Highland, 12) #1
3 - Gentry Smith (Post Falls, 11) #3
4 - Jay Sallee (Meridian, 12) #4
5 - Keanyn DeGroat (Post Falls, 11) #7
6 - Ashton Peterson (Madison, 11) #6
1st Place Match
Carter Torres (Kuna) 37-11, Sr. over Luke Sidwell (Highland) 30-12, Sr. (Dec 8-4)
3rd Place Match
Gentry Smith (Post Falls) 39-7, Jr. over Jay Sallee (Meridian) 32-15, Sr. (Dec 7-2)
5th Place Match
Keanyn DeGroat (Post Falls) 36-16, Jr. over Ashton Peterson (Madison) 32-14, Jr. (SV-1 5-3)
195
1 - Rylan Rogers (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) #1 3X ALL-AMERICAN
2 - Carson Gooley (Meridian, 10) #2
3 - Davin Van Den Akker (Mountain View, 12) #6
4 - Seth Brock (Eagle, 10) #3
5 - Malcolm Duthie (Post Falls, 11) #5
6 - Ethan Burbidge (Madison, 12) #3
1st Place Match
Rylan Rogers (Coeur d’ Alene) 33-1, Sr. over Carson Gooley (Meridian) 44-5, So. (Fall 0:30)
3rd Place Match
Davin Van Den Akker (Mountain View) 33-10, Sr. over Seth Brock (Eagle) 30-11, So. (Dec 8-5)
5th Place Match
Malcolm Duthie (Post Falls) 27-12, Jr. over Ethan Burbidge (Madison) 29-10, Sr. (For.)
220
1 - Eli Anderton (Highland, 11) #4
2 - Garrett Roedel (Thunder Ridge, 12) #3
3 - Trevor Miller (Post Falls, 11) #2
4 - Beau Speelman (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) #6
5 - Shilo Jones (Mountain View, 10) #1 ALL-AMERICAN
6 - Luke Martin (Post Falls, 12) NS
1st Place Match
Eli Anderton (Highland) 37-9, Jr. over Garrett Roedel (Thunder Ridge) 56-2, Sr. (Fall 3:52)
3rd Place Match
Trevor Miller (Post Falls) 28-10, Jr. over Beau Speelman (Coeur d’ Alene) 31-10, Sr. (Fall 3:30)
5th Place Match
Shilo Jones (Mountain View) 42-6, So. over Luke Martin (Post Falls) 22-12, Sr. (Fall 2:31)
285
1 - Aden Attao (Borah, 11) #2 ALL-AMERICAN
2 - Ian Allen (Highland, 12) #1
3 - Robert Storm (Lewiston, 11) #3
4 - Jaxson Washington (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) #4
5 - Austin Portner (Post Falls, 12) NS
6 - Landon Gneiting (Idaho Falls, 12) #7
1st Place Match
Aden Attao (Borah) 27-1, Jr. over Ian Allen (Highland) 40-4, Sr. (Dec 4-0)
3rd Place Match
Robert Storm (Lewiston) 35-7, Jr. over Jaxson Washington (Coeur d’ Alene) 32-11, Sr. (Fall 2:40)
5th Place Match
Austin Portner (Post Falls) 28-13, Sr. over Landon Gneiting (Idaho Falls) 41-11, Sr. (Dec 11-6)
|