ORDER GAME PHOTOS

The national publication Wrestling USA Magazine (WUSA) has been promoting wrestling at all levels and age groups since the early 1960s and to date is among the longest family operated publications (Bryant Family) still in existence. To my knowledge, only Amateur Wrestling News has been in circulation longer. Since 1968, WUSA has recognized the top high school seniors in the country by featuring All-American teams consisting of two categories; All-American (AA) and Honorable Mention All-American (HM). Beginning in 1976, WUSA added an additional category called the Dream Team, which featured the top ranked senior in each weight group. Then, a decade later added the Academic Team to promote the top tier student/athletes.

The first Idaho wrestler to be featured on an WUSA All-American team was Mark Bittick of Notus High School in 1971. Up to now, the Gem State has had 132 wrestlers selected for this great honor with several going on to do very well at the collegiate level. Leading this exceptional group includes Dream Team selections Chris Owens (Idaho Falls HS/Oklahoma St., 1988), Jared Lawrence (Sandpoint HS/Minnesota, 1998), Jake Rosholt (Sandpoint HS/Oklahoma St., 2001), Adam Hall (Bonners Ferry HS/Boise St., 2006), Clayton Foster (Kamiah HS/Oklahoma St., 2007), and Tanner Hall (Meridian HS/Arizona St., 2011). In addition, Travis Bell, an Academic All-American in 1988 for Highland High School went on to earn two collegiate level All-American honors for BYU-Idaho (JUCO) in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The Idaho seniors selected for the 2024 WUSA All-American teams include TIER I wrestlers Mack Mauger (Blackfoot), Jason Mara (Meridian), Jadon Skellenger (Bishop Kelly), and Shilo Jones of Mountain View. Rated among the top prep lightweights in the country, Mauger is the seventh Idaho wrestler to be selected to the Academic All-American Team (Travis Bell of Highland was the first in 1988) and since taking the mat at an early age has had an exceptional mat and academic career. For starters, Mauger earned four Idaho State titles, five Fargo titles (8 total in all styles), and multiple All-American honors in Freestyle, Greco, and Folkstyle. On top of that, he also earned medals at two of the most prestigious high school tournaments in the country, the Walsh Ironman in Ohio and Clovis Doc Buchanan Invitational in California, respectively. To cap off his senior season, Mack earned the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Dave Schultz High School Excellence award. By far one of the top prep lightweight wrestlers in Idaho history, Mauger is headed to the University of Missouri to continue his education and wrestling career.  

The next Idaho wrestler to receive this great honor (All-American) is four-time State Champion Jason Mara of Meridian High School. Rated among the top middleweight wrestlers in the country, Mara has also accumulated quite an impressive wrestling and academic resume. Since his early beginnings at the youth level, Mara has earned national titles and multiple All-American honors at Fargo and the Folkstyle Nationals. Additionally, Mara defeated several state and national ranked wrestlers to win the tough Reno Tournament of Champions this past season. An exceptional student/athlete, Mara is headed to Stanford University to continue his academic and wrestling career.

The sport of wrestling has been a fixture in this next wrestler’s life since an early age and to date he has earned state, regional, national, and world level accolades. Earning a U15 World Greco title in 2019, Jadon Skellenger of Bishop Kelly High School is one of the most decorated wrestlers to ever come out of Idaho. Earning two individual 4A state titles, Jadon has earned a multitude of All-American honors at all age group levels, three Pan American medals, which includes a Gold in 2023, and has earned a spot on several world teams. With ambitions to make an Olympic team in the future, Skellenger is headed to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania to continue his next step in his academic and wrestling career.

The fourth Idaho wrestler to earn 2024 All-American honors is Shilo Jones of Mountain View High School in Meridian. Rated among the top tier heavyweights in the country, Jones is a four-time state medalists with one individual title to his credit. There is the old saying, “Summer wrestling makes winter champions.” Without a shadow of a doubt, Shilo has lived by this motto. Since the beginning of his prep career at Mountain View, he has traveled the country earning a total of 14 All-American honors at the Folkstyle, US Open, and Fargo Nationals collectively. Also, an exceptional student, Jones is headed to North Dakota State to continue his academic and wrestling career.

On average, the Gem State has had approximately two to three wrestlers selected each year. The highest number of All-Americans selected in a season is six (aka, The Club of Six), which has happened only five times since the early 2000s. Below is the Club of Six.

THE CLUB OF SIX 

2021

Drew Roberts – Coeur d’ Alene (AA)
Michael Mitchell – Kuna (HM AA)
Lane Reardon – Post Falls (HM AA)
Preston Owens – Kuna (HM AA)
Dante Roggio – Kuna (HM AA)
Charley Hastritter – Capital (HM AA)

2018

Darrick Stacy – Shelley (HM AA)
William Edelblute – Lakeland (HM AA)
Caleb Call – Shelley (HM AA)
Larry Johnson – Lakeland (HM AA)
Braxton Balmforth – Shelley (HM AA)
Konnor Cordingly – Highland (HM AA)

2006

Adam Hall – Bonners Ferry (DREAM TEAM)
Shawn Jones – Snake River (AA)
Dylan Whitling – Skyview (HM AA)
Brandon Palaniuk – Lakeland (HM AA)
Jared Leuzinger – Challis (HM AA)
Derek Mestrovich – Skyview (HM AA)

2005

Luke Smith – Idaho Falls (AA)
Daniel Erekson – Eagle (HM AA)
Jayson John – Idaho Falls (HM AA)
Justin Gardner – Bonneville (HM AA)
Sean Conner – Skyline (HM AA)
Vance Beeson – Eagle (HM AA)

2003

Andy Patrick – Meridian (AA)
Jordan Johns – Aberdeen (HM AA)
Clint Leonard – Lakeland (HM AA)
Dillon Brower – Challis (HM AA)
Paul Ricks – Skyline (HM AA)|
Tad Berry – Challis (HM AA)

Since the first Idaho wrestler to be selected in 1971, Idaho Falls High School has produced the most All-Americans for the state of Idaho with twelve, followed by Meridian with nine and Post Falls at eight. Below is a list of the top three schools and sixth others with five or more All-American honors.

IDAHO FALLS (12)

Josh Warner – HM, 2009

Luke Smith – AA, 2005

Jason John – HM, 2005

Matt Hodges – HM, 2002

Chris King – AA, 1999

Torry Taylor – HM, 1999

Shane Hanson – ACADEMIC TEAM, 1993

Jeff Gardnier – HM, 1989

Chris Owens – DREAM TEAM, 1988

Scott Davis – HM, 1986

Russell Hall – HM, 1983

Sam Orme – HM, 1973

MERIDIAN (9)

Jason Mara – AA, 2024

Tanner Hall – DREAM TEAM, 2011

Andy Patrick – AA, 2003

Fred Bartlett – AA, 1999

Joseph Corral – HM, 1999

Robert Ho – ACADEMIC TEAM, 1990

Jon Watson – HM, 1987

Chris Pratt – HM, 1986

Sean Moon – HM, 1984

POST FALLS (8)

Lane Reardon – HM, 2021

Ridge Lovett – AA, 2019

Alius De La Rosa – HM, 2016

T.J. Wolf – HM, 2016

Drake Foster – AA, 2015

Seth McLeod – AA, 2015

Tyler Booth – HM, 2012

James Ost – HM, 2012

OTHER IDAHO HIGH SCHOOLS (5 or more AAs)

Centennial (6)

Lakeland (6)

Columbia (5)

Kuna (5)

Highland (5)

Pocatello (5)

In summary, the Gem State has represented well in the last several decades. Since the first Idahoan, Mark Bittick (Notus HS) was selected in 1971, Idaho has had 132 wrestlers selected for this great honor. I want to extend my congratulations to Mack Mauger, Jason Mara, Jadon Skellenger, and Shilo Jones for being the Gem State’s most recent seniors to be selected for this prestigious group. Job well done and good luck at the next level and beyond.

I also want to give a “BIG THANK YOU” to the Bryant Family and Dan Fickel for their hard work and commitment to making this annual All-American feature a possibility for all these years. Their extensive efforts to put this project together is greatly appreciated and to date has done so much for the promotion of prep wrestling across the country.

To be considered for the WUSA All-American teams requires a coach to submit a nomination form (Seniors only) after the state meet of a wrestler’s senior season (via WUSA Magazine subscription or online). Below is a list of All-Americans from Idaho dating back to 1971. 

DREAM TEAM

Tanner Hall – Meridian HS, 2011*

Clayton Foster – Kamiah HS, 2007*

Adam Hall – Bonners Ferry HS, 2006*

Jake Rosholt – Sandpoint HS, 2001*

Jared Lawrence – Sandpoint HS, 1998*

Chris Owens – Idaho Falls HS, 1988*

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN TEAM

Mack Mauger – Blackfoot HS, 2024

Aden Attao – Borah HS, 2023

Lex Case – North Fremont HS, 2000

Shane Hanson – Idaho Falls HS, 1993

Gary Johnson – Pocatello HS, 1992

Robert Ho – Meridian HS, 1990

Travis Bell – Highland HS, 1988

ALL-AMERICANS

Jason Mara – Meridian HS, 2024

Jadon Skellenger – Bishop Kelly HS, 2024

Derek Matthews – Declo HS, 2022

Rylan Rogers – Coeur d’ Alene HS, 2022

Nico Rodriguez – Columbia HS, 2022

Drew Roberts – Coeur d’ Alene HS, 2021

Kase Mauger – Twin Falls HS, 2020

Ridge Lovett – Post Falls HS, 2019

Jonathon Fagen – Fruitland HS, 2019

Casey Randles – Coeur d’ Alene HS, 2017*

Tucker Leavitt – Highland HS, 2016

Drake Foster – Post Falls HS, 2015

Bryce Parson – Lewiston HS, 2015

Seth McLeod – Post Falls HS, 2015

Michael Cook – Kuna HS, 2014

Hayden Tuma – Centennial HS, 2014

Blaine Invernon – Bonners Ferry HS, 2013

Jared Johnshoy – Melba HS, 2013

Colby Kloetzer – Caldwell HS, 2011

Taylor West – Borah HS, 2011

Trevor Rupp – Pocatello HS, 2010

Jacob Scharbrough – Weiser HS, 2008

Joey Fio – Sandpoint HS, 2007

Kirk Smith – Centennial HS, 2007*

Shawn Jones – Snake River HS, 2006

Luke Smith – Idaho Falls HS, 2005

Nick Smith – Centennial HS, 2004

Andry Patrick – Meridian HS, 2003

Brock Zollinger – Sugar-Salem HS, 2002

Tony Hook – Sandpoint HS, 2002

Clint Wolfley – Snake River HS, 2000

Fred Bartlett – Meridian HS, 1999

Chris King – Idaho Falls HS, 1999

James Huml – Sugar-Salem HS, 1998

Zane Jones – Skyline HS, 1981

Cordel Anderson – Preston HS, 1980*

ALL-AMERICANS (HONORABLE MENTION)

Shilo Jones – Mountain View HS, 2024

Tanner Frothinger – Eagle HS, 2023

Michael Mitchell – Kuna HS, 2021

Lane Reardon – Post Falls HS, 2021

Preston Owens – Kuna HS, 2021

Dante Roggio – Kuna HS, 2021

Charley Hastritter – Capital HS, 2021

Angel Rios – Columbia HS, 2020

Kenneth Copley – Sugar-Salem HS, 2020

Sam Edelblute – Lakeland HS, 2019

Ezekial Williamson – Jerome HS, 2019

Darrick Stacy – Shelley HS, 2018

William Edelblute – Lakeland HS, 2018

Caleb Call – Shelley HS, 2018

Larry Johnson – Lakeland HS, 2018

Braxton Balmforth – Shelley HS, 2018

Konnor Cordingly – Highland HS, 2018

Sammy Eckhart – Fruitland HS, 2017

Jaron Chavez – Centennial HS, 2017

Brandon Kipper – Columbia HS, 2017

Levi Austin – New Plymouth HS, 2016

T.J. Wolf – Post Falls HS, 2016

Alius DeLaRosa – Post Falls HS, 2016

Jared Bird – Bonneville HS, 2016

Blake Ivie – Kellogg HS, 2015

Casey Cobb – Kuna HS, 2014

Tristan Jarboe – Columbia HS, 2014

Jon Jay Chavez – Centennial HS, 2014*

Tim McDonald – Columbia HS, 2013

Ray Evans – New Plymouth HS, 2012

James Ost – Post Falls HS, 2012

Tyler Booth – Post Falls HS, 2012

Casey George – Lewiston HS, 2011

V.J. Giulio – American Falls HS, 2011

Holden Packard – Mountain View HS, 2010

Brandon Richardson – Lakeland HS, 2010

Luke Weaver – Salmon HS, 2010

Josh Warner – Idaho Falls HS, 2009

Spence Patrick – Mountain View HS, 2008

Avery Garner – Centennial HS, 2007

Dylan Whitling – Skyview HS, 2006

Brandon Palaniuk – Lakeland HS, 2006

Jared Leuzinger – Challis HS, 2006

Derek Mestrovich – Skyview HS, 2006*

Vance Beeson – Eagle HS, 2005

Sean Conner – Skyline HS, 2005

Justin Gardner – Bonneville HS, 2005

Jayson John – Idaho Falls HS, 2005

Daniel Erekson – Eagle HS, 2005*

Jordan Johns – Aberdeen HS, 2003

Clint Leonard – Lakeland HS, 2003

Dillon Brower – Challis HS, 2003

Paul Ricks – Skyline HS, 2003

Tad Berry – Challis HS, 2003

Mike Wilding – Highland HS, 2002

Matt Hodges – Idaho Falls HS, 2002

Drew Dickerson – Weiser HS, 2001

Stacey Mello – McCall-Donnelly HS, 2001

Greg Holman – Sugar-Salem HS, 2000

Travis Jacobson – Blackfoot HS, 2000

Joseph Corral – Meridian HS, 1999

Jonathan Padgett – Fruitland HS, 1999

Torry Taylor – Idaho Falls HS, 1999

Jedediah Clacke – Pocatello HS, 1998

Matt Cobb – Weiser HS, 1998

Craig Van Sickle – Highland HS, 1995

Jeff Gardnier – Idaho Falls HS, 1989

Ryan Nash – Homedale HS, 1988

John Andrews – Wallace HS, 1987

Jon Watson – Meridian HS, 1987

Breck Crystal – Skyline HS, 1986

Scott Davis – Idaho Falls HS, 1986

Chris Pratt – Meridian HS, 1986

Sean Moon – Meridian HS, 1984

Russell Hall – Idaho Falls HS, 1983

Stan Armstrong – Pocatello HS, 1981

Tom Hugie – Blackfoot HS, 1980

Creed Ricks – Rexburg HS, 1980

Darby Lewis – Boise HS, 1979

Clayton Armstrong – Pocatello HS, 1978

Sam Orme – Idaho Falls HS, 1973*

Mark Bittick – Nofus HS, 1971

*COLLEGIATE LEVEL ALL-AMERICAN