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Previous Tier One Entries:
Mack Mauger, Blackfoot
Aden Attao, Borah
Dedrick Navarro, Nampa
Tanner Frothinger, Eagle
Jaxton Packer, South Fremont
Hoyt Hvass, Lewiston
Hudson Rogers, Meridian
Boden Banta, South Fremont
Ivan Ivanov, Jr., Eagle
Nate Gugelman II, American Falls
My TIER ONE series continues with Ryan Hirchert, a standout senior from perennial power, Nampa High School. Holding three individual state titles entering the 2025-’26 season, Hirchert is on the cusp of a rare historical feat: potentially becoming only the second Nampa wrestler, after Carson Exferd (2021-’24), to secure four state championships. Beyond his in-state dominance as a top lightweight, Hirchert recently announced his commitment to Reinhardt University in Georgia, where he will join their competitive NAIA wrestling program.
While the majority of elite wrestlers I have written about, including both well-known and undiscovered talents, enter the sport on average around the age of seven, Ryan stands out as a notable exception. He started wrestling at the early age of three, a trajectory shared by previous Idaho elite wrestlers Hudson Rogers and Manuel Valdez. For Ryan, everything changed when his grandpa took him to see his older brother’s wrestling tournament. When the three-year-old was put inside the circle, his intense interest turned into pure joy.
The complexities of wrestling captured Ryan's interest from the start. After giving the sport a try, he competed in his first tournament at age five for the Ontario Animals Wrestling Club. His very first medal was a gold, after he clinched the top spot in his age group. That win ignited a fierce passion in him, and he devoted himself to mastering the sport's rigorous process. Ryan never looked back. According to Nampa Head Coach, Roy Perales, “Ryan learned at an early age to fall in love with the process and has never focused on results. I believe that is why he is going into his senior season a three-time state champion. He goes to practice to learn and get better every day.”
Before entering the prep ranks, Ryan possessed a maturity and perspective on life far beyond his years. While many sought only results and accolades, he fully embraced the arduous journey of continuous improvement. He never shied away from the chance to compete against the best, viewing failure not as an endpoint, but as a vital teacher and an opportunity for growth both as an athlete and a person.
After placing in the middle school division at the competitive Reno Worlds tournament, Ryan entered his freshman year at Caldwell High School focused on district and state titles, but primarily on adapting to the higher-level challenges of high school wrestling. His debut performance was stellar; he placed in the top three at the tough Rollie Lane Invitational and demonstrated his ability to hold his own among the state's premier talent throughout the season. Following a dominant performance at the District III championships, Ryan advanced to the state tournament sporting a 26-1 record. He continued his powerful run through the preliminary rounds, winning with multiple falls, and then closed out the championship match with a swift technical fall victory.
Ryan wrapped up a solid freshman season and set his sights on new goals, including winning another set of district and state titles. The move to a new school, Nampa High, introduced potential disruptions. Yet, he adapted quickly, leaving no doubt about his elite status in Idaho with strong performances at the Reno Tournament of Champions and the Rollie Lane Invitational. Ryan capped off a powerful regular season by delivering an exceptional postseason performance. In a commanding run through the district tournament, he asserted himself as the top lightweight in the 98-pound division. He continued his dominance at the state tournament, pinning his way through the bracket to reach the championship finals. Facing talented freshman Brand'n Edstrom, Ryan emerged victorious with a 5-2 decision to clinch his second state title.
Moving up one weight group to 106-pounds his junior season, Ryan remained focused on his goals and continuous improvement. Once again, traveling out of state to the Reno Tournament of Champions proved to be a great learning experience for him. Ryan continued his winning ways, bringing home another medal after navigating a tough field of the country's top wrestlers. The momentum carried him to the finals of the local Rollie Lane tournament, where he advanced easily before meeting a formidable foe in the championship match: Cooper Sandoval of McQueen High School in Nevada. Ryan battled fiercely but ultimately suffered an overtime loss, missing out on the championship. Using this setback as a learning experience, Ryan went back to the drawing board and trained even harder. His dedication paid off; by the end of the season, he capped his junior year by winning his third consecutive district and state championships.
Ryan’s impressive run began with a third straight state title, followed directly by a journey to Nevada, where he clinched his second consecutive Reno Worlds title. He capped this series of victories with a championship performance at the Idaho Freestyle state championships. In spite of these significant achievements, Ryan maintained his focus on future goals, adhering strictly to his training regimen in anticipation of the summer’s Fargo Nationals.
The Fargo Nationals in North Dakota represent the pinnacle of high school wrestling, a proving ground for future NCAA champions and world-class athletes. Ryan, refusing to shy away from the challenge, battled his opponents relentlessly but did not achieve All-American status. Back to the mat room!
The most striking aspect of my conversation with Ryan was his incredibly strong, growth-oriented mindset. He faces adversity head-on, dismissing self-doubt and taking on difficult challenges regardless of the outcome. He frames failure not as an end, but as a critical means to learn and refine his approach in all areas of his life—from academics to athletics and beyond.
After a few months of preparation following the Fargo Nationals, Ryan began his senior year on a high note. Traveling with Team Idaho, he competed at the preseason folkstyle nationals in Des Moines, Iowa, where a series of intense matches culminated in a championship finals appearance and a significant achievement: prep-level All-American status. With the 2025–26 season on the horizon, Ryan, who already holds three state titles, is now focused on the historic challenge of winning a fourth, a feat previously accomplished by Nampa's Carson Exferd, now at the University of Wisconsin.
Recently committing to continue his academic and wrestling career at NAIA power Reinhardt University in Georgia, Ryan is focused on the challenges ahead. As Ryan continues his journey, I wish him all the best for the current season and his future endeavors, hoping he finds great success in pursuing his dreams. Below is my Q&A with Ryan in addition to the academic and athletic accolades he has achieved to this point. Enjoy!
Q&A INTERVIEW WITH RYAN HIRCHERT
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING?
RYAN – My Grandpa, Juan Cantu took me to my brother's wrestling tournament when I was three and I asked if I could wrestle…He put me out on the mat and I was the happiest three year old ever.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN WRESTLING?
RYAN – I would say my biggest influence is Jordan Burroughs. I have always watched him and he has always been my favorite wrestler.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE UPCOMING 2025-’26 SEASON?
RYAN – My goal for the upcoming season is to just get better. I would say get my fourth state title, but that isn't until February, so I have to worry about what is first and take one match at a time.
HAVING HAD SOME GREAT SUCCESS AT THIS POINT IN YOUR CAREER, DESCRIBE YOUR TRAINING ROUTINE AND YOUR OUTLOOK FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON AND BEYOND.
RYAN – So, during high school season wrestling I generally get a lift in sometime before practice, get some good nutrition in me, and have about a two hour practice. In the off season, I practice about three days a week and the off days get some lifting in.
DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC AND WRESTLING EXPERIENCE AT NAMPA HIGH SCHOOL.
RYAN – My academics at Nampa High School are good; however, could be better since there is always room for improvement. As far as wrestling at Nampa High School, I couldn't be any more grateful for the wrestling partners and coaches I have.
WHAT ARE YOUR ACADEMIC GOALS ENTERING YOUR SENIOR YEAR AT NAMPA HIGH SCHOOL?
RYAN – My Academic goals in my senior year is to keep my GPA at a 3.8 or over to help bring my accumulative GPA up a little bit.
THIS WEEK YOU COMMITTED TO CONTINUE YOUR ACADEMIC AND WRESTLING CAREER AT REINHARDT UNIVERSITY, A SUCCESSFUL NAIA PROGRAM IN GEORGIA? WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL?
RYAN – To win four NAIA National titles.
DO YOU HAVE AMBITIONS TO COMPETE AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL?
RYAN – Maybe! It will depend on how my body holds up after college.
IS THERE AN OLYMPIAN, COLLEGIATE-LEVEL WRESTLER, COACH, OR SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE SPORT OF WRESTLING THAT YOU WANT TO ASPIRE TO BE SOMEDAY?
RYAN – Well, I look up to Jordan Burroughs, but I wouldn’t say I want to be like him because I want to build my own legacy.
WHAT LIFE LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED IN WRESTLING THAT APPLIES IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?
RYAN – I would say that I have learned that hard work takes you a long way and life throws obstacles at you, but nothing that I’m not ready for because I’ve already had to overcome them in wrestling.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNG WRESTLER WANTING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING OR IN LIFE?
RYAN – Just have fun…Don’t worry about winning or losing… focus on getting better in wrestling and as a person.
ONCE YOU ARE DONE COMPETING, DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO STAY INVOLVED WITH WRESTLING?
RYAN – I plan on giving back to the sport what the sport has given me. I plan to coach someday, perhaps focus on the grassroots level.
OUTSIDE THE SPORT OF WRESTLING, WHAT OTHER HOBBIES, SPORTS, AND FAMILY FUNCTIONS DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
RYAN – Outside of wrestling, I like hanging out with my teammates and also love being in the mountains, hunting, and fishing as well.
IF PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY , WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO GROW WRESTLING AT THE GRASSROOTS AND PREP LEVELS?
RYAN – If I had a chance, I would probably hold a fun camp with just kids that are younger…maybe kids that haven't done it before and would like to try it out.
RYAN HIRCHERT ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC PROFILE
SCHOOL: Nampa H.S. (5A)
GRADE: Senior (Class of 2026)
PROJECTED WEIGHT: 113
ACADEMIC ACCOLADES
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- Mentor Special Ed students at Nampa H.S.
WRESTLING ACCOLADES
- Preseason High School Nationals – 2nd Place (ALL-AMERICAN), 2025
- 3x Idaho State Champion, 2023-‘25
- 3x IHSAA District III Champion, 2023-’25
- 2x RENO Worlds Champion – Folkstyle, 2024-’25
- Rollie Lane Invitational Finalist, 2025
- Idaho Junior Freestyle State Champion, 2025
- 2x Reno Tournament of Champions Placer, 2024-’25
- Rollie Lane Invitational Champion, 2024
- Rollie Lane Invitational – 3rd Place, 2023
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