The 2025 state title clash delivered on all fronts. In a grueling, back-and-forth battle, District III powerhouses Eagle and Rocky Mountain wrestled with unmatched intensity. Rocky Mountain ultimately secured a narrow victory, claiming their high school’s first-ever state wrestling championship. I expect similar high stakes this season, with the field potentially widening as other programs gain momentum. It’s anyone’s title to win, though the returning top four, joined by several dark horses, are lining up for another thrilling competition – a dynamic already on display at the recent Ardis Nash girls tournament at Homedale High School, which used the newly adopted national weight groups.  

It is widely known that high school girls' wrestling is the fastest growing prep sport in the United States. Nationally, participation has been on a steady upward trajectory for several years, a trend mirrored in Idaho. The state has seen a significant increase in certified high school participants, reaching 974—a remarkable 777% surge since 2021, when there were just 111 participants. Nearly one-third of the current participants are incoming freshmen, indicating strong continued growth.

The recent national rankings by SBLive Sports (Dec. 1, 2025) further demonstrate Idaho’s competitive strength on a national level. Seven Idaho wrestlers were ranked in the top 30 in their respective weight classes, a significant representation per capita compared to larger states. Jerome’s Olivia Bezdecik led the group with the highest placement at number three nationally. The other ranked Idaho wrestlers include All-American Ali Svancara (Jr., Buhl), Kinzie Williams (Jr., American Falls), Keanna Conrad (Jr., Blackfoot), Brooklyn Anderson (Sr., Coeur d’Alene), and Molly Olague (Jr., Skyline). I believe more Idaho wrestlers are worthy of this recognition as it will become more transparent in the months ahead.

Beyond the sport’s annual growth, Idaho girls have fully adopted the national weight guidelines. The new structure features 14 weight classes (up from 12), primarily using five-pound increments rather than the previous six of seven-pound differences. This season’s divisions are: 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 155, 170, 190, and 235 pounds. I anticipate these expanded opportunities will significantly grow participation in the sport in the coming years.

The upcoming competition is packed with talent, featuring seven individual returning state champions. A key highlight is the potential for four athletes to secure their third state title. The field also boasts an impressive 49 returning state medalists, including five aiming for a fourth medal and 11 seeking a third.

Leading the charge are two-time state champions and All-Americans: Olivia Bezdicek (Jr., Jerome), Keanna Conrad (Jr., Blackfoot), and Roxy Sheen (Jr., Buhl). Shauna Anderson (Sr., Thunder Ridge) also returns with a strong chance for a third win. Other notable champions include Taylor Drake (Jr., West Side), and 2024 State Champions Talea Nichols (Sr., Rocky Mountain) and Courtney Hunt (Sr., American Falls), each All-Americans with multiple state medals to their credit.

The competition extends far beyond the current state champions; 49 returning state medalists are set to compete. Among the elite are a trio of established stars and three-time state placers: Marsh Valley senior Lydia Townsend, Century senior Kyler Scott, and Coeur d’Alene senior Brooklyn Anderson.

A loaded field is expected at the state wrestling tournament, highlighted by a chase for a third career state medal by six veteran wrestlers: All-Americans Taylor Drake (Jr., Kuna) and Kinzie Williams (Jr., American Falls), along with Ava Bui (Jr., Centennial), Gracie Price (Jr., Thunder Ridge), Elyse Asaro (Sr., Rocky Mountain), and Lili Marti (Sr., Sandpoint). They will face stiff competition from a deep roster of returning state placers, including fellow All-Americans Maritza Medina (Soph., Caldwell) and Molly Olague (Jr., Skyline), plus recent state finalists Charlee Noah (Soph., Tri-Valley) and Ella Elordi (Sr., Eagle), all aiming for the top spot on the podium.

Anticipation is high for this year’s highly competitive team state championship. Recent results from the Ardis Nash tournament indicate a tight contest. Victory hinges on critical factors: ensuring sufficient team depth, peaking at the precise time of competition, and securing strong performances from a mix of new talent and experienced  state veterans. Individually, the current group is exceptional, arguably the strongest assembled since the 2022 inaugural state championships.

Please note, wrestlers in this preview are listed at weight groups previously competed in at the 2025 State Championships (or prior), which is subject to change during the 2025-’26 season. Below is a list of returning states champions, state placers, All-Americans, and wrestlers ranked nationally. Please advise via email coachal777@gmal.com if there are any missing wrestlers or deletions that should be made from the list below. 

TOP GIRLS TEAMS TO WATCH (not in order of ranking):

THUNDER RIDGE (Division VI)

100 – Tayler Brown, 12 (SQ)

120 – Gracie Price, 11 (2^nd, 5^th)

138 – Ava Price, 12 (5^th)

152 – Peyton Reeves, 11 (SQ)

185 – Shauna Anderson, 12 (2^nd, 1^st, 1^st )

EAGLE (Division III)

107 – Tommy Stone, 12 (4^th)

126 – Caddy Tverdy, 12 ’24

145 – Kate Sanada, 12 (SQ)

152 – Gemma Lebeau, 10 (6^th)

152 – Ellie Davis, 11 (SQ)

165 – Ella Elordi, 12 (2^nd)

235 – Keleigh Russell-Smith, 10  (SQ)

BUHL (Div. IV)

114 – Ali Svancara, 11 (4^th, 3^rd)/All-American

132 – Jasmin Carpenter, 10 (SQ)

145 – Roxy Sheen, 11 (2x State Champion)/All-American

KUNA (Division III)

107 – Taylor Drake, 11 (6^th, 1^st)/All-American

114 – Aurora Rider, 11 (SQ)

132 – Emma Stensell, 12 (SQ)

165 – Abigail Henderson, 11 (SQ)

185 – Priscilla Garcia (Kuna, 11): 3^rd

ROCKY MOUNTAIN (Division III)

114 – Talea Nichols, 12 (1^st, 4^th)/All-American

120 – Whitney Cawthra, 10 (6^th)

126 – Elyse Asaro, 12 (6^th, 5^th)

145 – Lexi Sanders, 10 (SQ)

MERIDIAN (Div. III)

107 – Amy Twait, 10 (SQ)

120 – Kianna Trudell, 11 (4^th)

126 – Kiera DeLeon, 11 (SQ)

132 – Meagan Smith, 12 (SQ)

IDAHO FALLS (Div. VI)

107 – Mya Bolander, 10 (SQ)

114 – Cassydi Keim, 10 (SQ)

165 – Nevaeh Spivey-Hayes, 12 (SQ)

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: American Falls (Div. V), Post Falls (Div. I), Sandpoint (Div. I), and Twin Falls (Div. IV).

RETURNING STATE PLACERS:

2X STATE CHAMPIONS 

126 – Olivia Bezdicek (Jerome, 11)/All-American

132 – Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot, 11)/All-American

145 – Roxy Sheen (Buhl, 11)/All-American

185 – Shauna Anderson (Thunder Ridge, 12)

1X STATE CHAMPIONS

107 – Taylor Drake (West Side, 11)/All-American

114 – Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain, 12) ’24/All-American

138 – Courtney Hunt (American Falls, 12) ’24/All-American

3X STATE PLACERS 

114 – Lydia Townsend (Marsh Valley, 12): 4^th, 3^rd, 5^th

132 – Kyler Scott (Century, 12): 3^rd, 3^rd, 2^nd/All-American

138 – Courtney Hunt (American Falls, 12): 2^nd, 1^st, 4^th/All-American

165 – Brooklyn Anderson (Coeur d’ Alene, 12): 5^th, 3^rd, 3^rd

185 – Shauna Anderson (Thunder Ridge, 12): 2^nd, 1^st, 1^st

2X STATE PLACERS 

100 – Ava Bui (Centennial, 11): 4^th, 2^nd  

107 – Taylor Drake (Kuna, 11): 6^th, 1^st/All-American

114 – Kinzie Williams (American Falls, 11): 3^rd, 2^nd/All-American

114 – Talea Nichols (Rocky Mountain, 12): 1^st, 4^th/All-American

114 – Ali Svancara (Buhl, 11): 4^th, 3^rd/All-American

120 – Gracie Price (Thunder Ridge, 11): 2^nd, 5^th

126 – Olivia Bezdicek (Jerome, 11): 2x State Champion/All-American

126 – Elyse Asaro (Rocky Mountain, 12): 6^th, 5^th

132 – Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot, 11): 2x State Champion/All-American

145 – Roxy Sheen (Buhl, 11): 2x State Champion/All-American

235 – Lili Marti (Sandpoint, 12): 6^th, 3^rd

1X STATE PLACERS

100 – Maritza Medina (Caldwell, 10): 4^th/All-American

100 – Alena Messerli (West Jefferson, 12): 6^th

107 – Kyra Cobb (Timberline, 12): 3^rd

107 – Tommy Stone (Eagle, 12): 4^th

107 – Nevaeh Therrien (Bonners Ferry, 12): 5^th

107 – Isabella Rice (Post Falls, 11): 6^th

114 – Maliyah Garcia (New Plymouth, 11): 6^th

120 – Charlee Noah (Tri-Valley, 10): 2^nd

120 – Zuri Tavarez (South Fremont, 10): 3^rd

120 – Kiana Trudell (Meridian, 11): 4^th

120 – Whitney Cawthra (Rocky Mountain, 10): 6^th

126 – Shelby Garten (Timberlake, 12): 2^nd

126 – Bella Eddins (Grace, 11): 4^th

126 – Isabella Stark (Sandpoint, 11): 6^th

132 – Kahli Brown (Post Falls, 10): 3^rd

132 – Lexeigh Dowd (Twin Falls, 12): 6^th

138 – Ava Price (Thunder Ridge, 12): 5^th

138 – Jesse Rice (Clearwater Valley, 10): 6^th

145 – Lochlynn Harned (Rigby, 11): 4^th

145 – Cashlin Volkel (Kimberly, 12): 6^th

152 – Samantha Harper (Bear Lake, 12): 3^rd

152 – Skyla Cloud (Grace, 12): 4^th

152 – Kate Allred (Preston, 12): 5^th

152 – Gemma Lebeau (Eagle, 10): 6^th

165 – Ella Elordi (Eagle, 12): 2^nd

165 – Molly Olague (Skyline, 11): 4^th/All-American

165 – Sarah Toribau (Oakley, 12): 5^th

185 – Priscilla Garcia (Kuna, 11): 3^rd

185 – Rebecka Vail (Minico, 11): 4^th

185 – Sage Larson (Twin Falls, 12): 6^th

235 – Charlie Robinson (Rigby, 11): 4^th

235 – Bella Smith (Malad, 12): 5^th

235 – Ella Chandler (Fruitland, 11): 6^th

IDAHO GIRLS RANKED NATIONALLY BY SBLIVE SPORTS (Dec. 1, 2025)

110 – Ali Svancara (Buhl, 11) #19

120 – Kinzie Williams (American Falls, 11) #26

130 – Olivia Bezdecik (Jerome, 11) #3

135 – Keanna Conrad (Blackfoot, 11) #24

170 – Brooklyn Anderson (Coeur d’ Alene, 12) #27

170 – Molly Olague (Skyline, 11) #28