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Previous Hidden Gems Spotlights:

Jason Mara, Meridian
Matthew Martino, Bishop Kelly
Kolter Burton, American Falls
Daniel and Gabriel Rosales, Mountain Home
Manuel and Carlos Valdez, Bishop Kelly
Shilo Jones, Mountain View
Clare Waite, Boise
Talen Eck, Thunder Ridge
Bowen and Riley Brunson, Buhl
Aiden McGinnis, Mountain View
Joely Slyter, Lewiston
Tyson Barnhart, Post Falls
Amie Hartman, Mountain Home
Elise Twait, Meridian
Jeremiah Gonzalez, Meridian
Wallace Durfee, Declo
Zoey Fries, Kuna
Saxton Scott, Idaho Falls
Caddy Tverdy, Garden Valley
Sean Hall, Canyon Ridge

For my next "HIDDEN GEM," I'm excited to feature Ian Avalos, a junior wrestler who's making a name for himself at Mountain View High School in Meridian. Entering the 2025–’26 season, Ian possesses a distinguished history of accomplishments at the state, regional, and national levels, while also maintaining a strong academic standing with an impressive grade point average.

The norm for a vast majority of Idaho wrestlers I have had to honor to write about is their early entry into the wrestling circle as well as a strong ability to embrace the highly demanding process to reach the higher levels of our great sport. As for Ian, his entry commenced around the age of six when his father signed him up for the Patriots Wrestling Club at Centennial High School in Boise.

As a young wrestler, Ian found early success, but over time, his focus shifted. He became absorbed by the intricate nature of the sport, dedicating himself to a rigorous process of self-improvement to reach the top tier of each age group in the kids divisions and beyond. His continued effort and unwavering commitment led him to compete at both the local and state levels up to his start in the prep ranks in 2023. Ian's impressive trajectory in the sport was significantly shaped by the early guidance of his mentor and coach, Jeff Jayne of the Legacy Wrestling Club. The importance of strong mentors for success in life cannot be overstated. According to Coach Jayne, “I have coached Ian Avalos in wrestling since he was six years old. From the beginning, I stressed the importance of having a ‘Champion Mindset,’ a value important in all aspects of life. Ian understood this early on and through dedication, hard work, character and attitude, he has exceeded all expectations. Ian exudes excellence in all facets of life and leads by example what hard work can accomplish. He is a wrestling gentleman.”

Prior to entering the high school ranks, Ian had already established himself as a formidable competitor within the state's age-group divisions. His accomplishments include reaching the championship finals at the Folkstyle and Middle School State tournaments in 2021, followed by a Western States finals appearance, a Middle School state title, and two 14U state championships in Freestyle and Greco-Roman. My initial assessment of Ian occurred during his freshman season, where I observed him in a dual against Rocky Mountain High School. Though he experienced a setback in that match, his demonstrated resilience and aptitude suggested significant potential for immediate impact at the district and state levels. He later proved this by securing the District III championship and advancing to the state championship finals.

The path to becoming a winter wrestling champion is paved with consistent offseason training and dedication. Early in life, Ian committed himself to the rigorous process of achieving his goal: competing and performing at the highest levels within each age group. My interview with Ian's family revealed the deep-seated source of his ambition. His room, a crowded gallery of wrestling medals, trophies, belts, and awards, told the story of a decade of hard work. But the true insight came from a note on his wall, where he had written his ultimate goal: a "NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP." Listed beneath it was the rigorous daily training schedule he followed to stay on track.

Building on a strong freshman season, Ian continued to excel during his sophomore year, competing against the state's top wrestlers. His victories at the competitive Tiger-Grizz Invitational and his appearances in the championship finals at both the District III and State championships demonstrate his skill. Despite a previous shortfall, Ian's rigorous summer training regimen led to a significant improvement in his performance. He achieved state championships in the 16U Freestyle and Greco styles, and a third-place result in the Western Regionals Freestyle competition. His pursuit of an All-American accolade continued with a successful third-place finish at the Folkstyle Nationals. Later, at the prestigious Fargo Nationals, he was unsuccessful in his bid for All-American status, experiencing a close defeat in the "blood round.”

A key strength of Ian's is his resilience, using adversity and failure to drive continuous improvement. According to Chris Owens, the Director of Operations and Development Coach for Idaho USA Wrestling,“Ian has been one of my favorite wrestlers to work with over the past few years. He is a dedicated worker that does a great job of staying consistent and working towards his goals on the mat and in the classroom. I believe Ian has a high ceiling with how much he loves to train. He really seems to enjoy doing the hard things…it’s been a lot of fun working with Ian and watching him figure out his strengths in the sport. Ian is already good at a many of the things it takes wrestlers a great deal of years to master. Typically, that translates into success at the college level. Technically, he is growing at a fast speed and it will be fun watching him figure out how to bring all of this together in pursuit of chasing down some of the top guys in the country. It seems he has been on the cusp of greatness the past few national level events he has competed in…Ian has also emerged as one of the top team leaders in the 16U age division in Idaho. He does such a great job of being a great teammate and leading by example. As a coach, It’s been a blessing working with Ian and helping him on his wrestling journey.” 

Ian’s journey is still unfolding, but his character is defined by a fierce commitment to excellence and a persistent desire for self-improvement. This relentless drive pushes him in the classroom, in extracurriculars, and especially on the mat. As he begins his junior year, Ian's ambition is clearly defined by his goal to secure an individual Idaho 6A state championship and earn All-American honors at Fargo, with the larger dream of a national title always in sight.

As the 2025-26 season draws near, Ian is currently participating in intensive training with Idaho's top wrestlers at the "Best on Best,” getting ready for the preseason nationals scheduled for later this month in Des Moines, Iowa. I recently had an extensive conversation with Mountain View's head coach, Jacob McGinnis, regarding Ian's performance and prospects in the sport. He stated the following, “Words that come to mind when I think of Ian are dominant and work ethic. His competitiveness, strength, and natural athletic ability make for intense and fun matches to watch…His love for the sport of wrestling is displayed with his work ethic, which is unmatched by his hard work, discipline, and consistency.”

My best wishes are extended to Ian for the remainder of this season and for his future. I hope he finds success in following his dreams. This exclusive Q&A interview with Ian offers a look at his wrestling prowess, academic achievements, and Mountain View’s standout performance at the state championships since the early 2000s. Enjoy!

Q&A INTERVIEW WITH IAN AVALOS

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING?

IAN – My dad signed me up for Patriots Wresting Club (Centennial) when I was six years old. I was a small kid, so my Dad thought it would be a good sport to learn in case I had to defend myself. I think I was only 34lbs when I started wrestling.

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN WRESTLING?

IAN – I’ve had many influences in wrestling from coaches like Chris Owens, Kelly Bartlett and Jacob McGinnis, but Coach Jeff Jayne from Legacy Wrestling Academy, has been a part of my career since I was seven. He’s taught me so much in wrestling and in life. He’s the reason why my style is so offensive today.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE UPCOMING 2025-’26 SEASON?

IAN – My goals are to be consistent every tournament and become an Idaho High School State Champ, after that a Fargo All American. I want to also focus on each tournament and set goals for each one. Wrestling allows me to set smaller goals for each tournament and opponent to see my progression over the season.

HAVING HAD SOME GREAT SUCCESS AT THIS POINT IN YOUR CAREER, DESCRIBE YOUR TRAINING ROUTINE AND YOUR OUTLOOK FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON AND BEYOND.

IAN – During the high school season, my focus is more on technique and keeping my body healthy through recovery sessions with a PT who also is my trainer. After season I continue to wrestle and train with Chris Owens at “Best on Best” practices. I also add heavy weight training to add some muscle and strength. I don’t cut a lot of weight, so it’s important for me to stay strong to be able to focus on explosive movements to be able to control my matches. I took a couple of months off the mat after Fargo, so I added things like running Table Rock or Camels Back with a weighted vest to keep some endurance. Recovery is part of my routine throughout the year.

DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC AND WRESTLING EXPERIENCE AT MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL.

IAN – I have a lot of success in academics at Mountain View; I currently hold a 3.9 cumulative GPA. I have some great teachers and peers to work with. During season it can be difficult to stay caught up on schoolwork because we miss almost every Friday for tournaments, but because of the teachers, we are able to work through getting everything turned in. We have a great wrestling program, too. Coach McGinnis and the other coaches really care about all the athletes by giving us whatever support we need. The high school season is long, and the team and coaches do a great job keeping us on track. My freshman season was great, because it was me hanging with all the heavyweights, we had a lot of fun that year.

WHAT ARE YOUR ACADEMIC GOALS ENTERING YOUR JUNIOR SEASON AND BEYOND?

IAN – I am focusing on making sure I can get some scholarships for college, so my goal is to keep my GPA up the rest of high school and add college courses to get a head. For most athletes, you need the grades to get any scholarship money so I’m just doing what I can to make that happen.

DO YOU HAVE AMBITIONS OF COMPETING IN COLLEGE OR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION?

IAN – Yes in college, I want to have a solid college career because I know it will help me with my career after college. Wrestling is important to me because I can use it to get my degree.

IS THERE AN OLYMPIAN, COLLEGIATE-LEVEL WRESTLER, COACH, OR SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE SPORT OF WRESTLING THAT YOU WANT TO ASPIRE TO BE SOMEDAY?

IAN – Jordan Burroughs – I like his wrestling style because of how he attacks and outside of wrestling he is a huge supporter of the sport and has stayed active in wrestling on and off the mat.

WHAT LIFE LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED IN WRESTLING THAT APPLIES IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?

IAN – Problem solving, wrestling teaches you how to deal with hard stuff because you have to learn how to work through tough situations. It has shaped me as a person because I keep working even if something is hard. From a young age, I learned respect for my coaches and my opponents, just part of growing up in a wrestling room so this is something I take with me in my everyday life.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNG WRESTLER WANTING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE

SPORT OF WRESTLING OR IN LIFE?

IAN – Don’t give up anything just because it’s hard, always hold yourself accountable and check in on your goals every day. Have fun, work hard and enjoy the process.

DO YOU HAVE A SAYING, MOTTO OR PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU LIVE BY?

IAN – Always ask yourself, “why.” Why are you doing what you’re doing and why is it important? Ask this every day.

ONCE YOU ARE DONE COMPETING, DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO STAY INVOLVED WITH WRESTLING?

IAN – I am not sure what I will be doing right after college. I know I’ll help with camps and give back to the youth, but I will want to move to the next phase in my life and do what I need to excel in that.

OUTSIDE THE SPORT OF WRESTLING, WHAT OTHER HOBBIES, SPORTS, AND FAMILY FUNCTIONS DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?

IIAN – I love doing all the outdoor activities like golf, fishing and all other sports. I played soccer for almost as many years as I wrestled. I stopped playing my freshman year to focus on wrestling a little more. My family travels a lot for sports and for fun and I love that. We’ve been to a lot of different professional and college sporting events over the years.

IF PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO GROW WRESTLING AT THE GRASSROOTS AND PREP LEVELS?

IAN – I think I would work to have wrestling recognized more so more kids would want to participate and would want to see more fun added at the little kid levels, so the kids want to wrestle more as they get older and not burn out. I think we need more clubs for youth to choose from so that kids have more opportunities to have time on the mat.

IAN AVALOS’ ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC PROFILE

SCHOOL: Mountain View H.S. (Meridian)

GRADE: 11^th (Class of 2027)

PROJECTED WEIGHT: 144lbs

ACADEMIC ACCOLADES:

• GPA – 3.9 cummulative

• 2x National Wrestling Coach Association High School Scholar All-American, 2024-‘25

WRESTLING ACCOLADES:

• USAW Folkstyle Nationals – 3^rd Place/ALL-AMERICAN ‘25

• USA Wrestling 16U Western Regional Freestyle – 3^rd Place ‘25

• Idaho 16U Freestyle State Champion ‘25

• Idaho 16U Greco-Roman State Champion ‘25

• Idaho 6A State Championships – 2^nd Place ‘25

• IHSAA 6A District III – 2^nd Place ‘25

• Tiger-Grizz Invitational Champion ‘25

• USA Wrestling 16U Western Regional Greco – 4^th Place ‘24

• Idaho 5A State Championships – 2^nd Place ‘24

• IHSAA 5A District III Champion ‘24

• Idaho 16U Greco-Roman State – 2^nd Place ‘24

• Idaho 16U Freestyle State – 2^nd Place ‘24

HISTORY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW H.S. HISTORY

2004 – 2025

3x STATE CHAMPION

103/145 – Holden Packard, 2007-‘10

2x STATE CHAMPIONS

103/126 – Riley Connolly, 2011, ‘13

160/170 – Spence Patrick, 2006, ‘08

1x STATE CHAMPIONS

285 – Shilo Jones, 2024

152 – Demtrius Romero, 2015

152 – Dane White, 2009

189 – Reed Kaus, 2008

285 – Hugh Thorton, 2008

140 – Dustin Packard, 2005

4x STATE PLACERS

220/285 – Shilo Jones (6, 4, 2, 1), 2021-‘24

103/113 – Riley Connolly (1, 2, 1, 2), 2011-‘14

103/140 – Beau Roberts (4, 2, 2, 2), 2008-‘11

103/130 – Holden Packard (1, 2, 1, 1), 2007-‘10

130/152 – Dane White (4, 4, 3, 1), 2006-‘09

152/171 – Spence Patrick (4, 1, 3, 1), 2005-‘08

3x STATE PLACERS

152/190 – Jean-Luc Guerra (4, 4, 2), 2023-‘25

138/152 – Demetrius Romero (3, 3, 1), 2013-‘16

98/138 – Chance Hudson (6, 4, 6), 2012-‘15

119/132 – Hunter Temple (4, 3, 2), 2011-‘13

160/170 – Lane Chadwick (6, 3, 4), 2011-‘13

171 – Brennen Connolly (4, 6, 2), 2009-‘11

160/189 – Trevor Sigler (2, 2, 2), 2006-‘08

2x STATE PLACERS

126 – Ian Avalos (2,2), 2024-‘25

160/175 – Chaz Ponton (6, 3), 2024-‘25

195/220 – Troy Grizzle (5, 2), 2023-‘24

126 – Adrien Wess (6, 4), 2021-’22

130/145 – Collin Sale (4, 2), 2011, ‘13

189 – Reed Kaus (4, 1), 2007-‘08

215 – Dan Colbert (2, 2), 2007-‘08

112/130 – Ryan Traska (4, 4), 2006-‘07

103/119 – Nick Carter (4, 5), 2004, ‘06

125/140 – Dustin Packard (3, 1), 2004-‘05

1x STATE PLACERS

215 – Gage Ponton, 5^th Place ‘25

285 – Aiden McGinnis, 2^nd Place ‘24

145 – Guiseppe Guerra, 2^nd Place ‘23

182 – Jacob King, 3^rd Place ‘23

285 – Braden Moore, 3^rd Place ‘23

145 – Andy Garcia, 6^th Place ‘22

195 – Dayin Van Den Akker, 3^rd Place ‘22

98 – Zach McDonald, 5^th Place ‘20

113 – Trace Wells, 4^th Place ‘19

138 – Isaac Moss, 6^th Place ‘19

285 – Keelan Murphy, 5^th Place ‘19

106 – Matt Allison, 5^th Place ‘18

170 – Daniel Skelton, 6^th Place ‘18

138 – Preston Quick, 6^th Place ‘17

106 – Anthony Mello, 4^th Place ‘16

120 – Michael Behrens, 4^th Place ‘16

170 – Maxwell Martell, 5^th Place ‘16

160 – Nick Lacombe, 3^rd Place ‘13

182 – Alex Thackery, 3^rd Place ‘13

220 – Adis Smajlovic, 6^th Place ‘13

152 – Nick Lacombe, 4^th Place ‘12

125 – Brady Reily, 2^nd Place ‘11

135 – Alex Creel, 6^th Place ‘11

145 – Nik Zeigler, 5^th Place ‘11

215 – Drake Peterson, 3^rd Place ‘09

119 – Ricky Keith, 3^rd Place ‘08

130 – Evan Chess, 6^th Place ‘08

285 – Hugh Thorton, STATE CHAMPION ‘08

103 – Jesse Thompson, 3^rd Place ‘06

119 – Tyson Quick, 6^th Place ‘06

125 – Matt Weigle, 5^th Place ‘06

215 – Jestin Kearsley, 3^rd Place ‘06

103 – Nick Haycock, 4^th Place ‘05

160 – Chris Weigle, 3^rd Place ‘05

171 – Tanner Hart, 4^th Place ‘05

215 – Matt Coffelt, 2^nd Place ‘05

119 – Dustin Peterson, 6^th Place ‘04

171 – Hanner Hart, 4^th Place ‘04

275 – Nate Johnson, 5^th Place ’04

WORLD TEAMS

Shilo Jones (U20 Greco-Roman)

HIGH SCHOOL ALL-AMERICANS

Ian Avalos

Troy Grizzle

Giuseppe Guerra

Shilo Jones

Jean-Luc Guerra

Aiden McGinnis

Dustin Packard

Holden Packard

Spence Patrick

Gage Ponton

Sophie Sarver (W)

NCAA DIVISON I ALL-AMERICAN

Demetrius Romero (Utah Valley University)

NJCAA ALL-AMERICAN

Beau Roberts (Clackamas CC)

TOP FOUR TEAM FINISHES AT STATE (5A)

2023 – 4^th Place

2013 – 3^rd Place

2008 – STATE CHAMPIONS

2007 – 3^rd Place

2006 – 4^th Place