Vote for the Treasure Valley wrestlers of the week (Feb. 19 to 25)

Michael Lycklama, Rachel Roberts
·2 min read

Help us choose the best of the best in the latest Idaho Statesman boys and girls wrestler of the week contests.

Polls close at noon Wednesday. Read about all the candidates and their accomplishments below.

You can vote multiple times. This is meant to be a fun way to show support for athletes. This is not meant to be scientific.

Nominations are submitted by area coaches or taken from stats reported to the Idaho Statesman.

GIRLS WRESTLING

Nia Avelino, Caldwell: Scored a 12-8 decision over Thunder Ridge’s Mia Ragan for the girls 107-pound state title after finishing second last year.

Talea Nichols, Rocky Mountain: Earned three pins and then a 12-6 decision in the championship match at 114 pounds, upending defending state champion Joely Slyter of Lewiston.

Clare Waite, Boise: Won her second title in three years with a 4-0 decision over Coeur d’Alene’s Cara Brown in the championship match at 145 pounds.

Elise Twait, Meridian: Claimed the 152-pound championship for the second straight year with a 10-3 decision over Potlatch’s Hayley McNeal.

Can’t see the below poll on your phone? Click here to open it in a mobile-friendly window.

BOYS WRESTLING

Jason Mara, Meridian: Became the first four-time state champ in program history and led the Warriors to their fourth straight team title. He racked up three pins to make the 5A 152-pound finals, then posted a 7-1 decision.

Carson Exferd, Nampa: Took his place in history as the first four-time state champ in Nampa history. He scored a pin, a tech fall and two major decisions for the 5A 138-pound crown.

Jacob Blandford, Middleton: Broke through for his first state title after finishing second the past two years. The 160-pounder edged Post Falls’ Trey Smith 2-0 in the finals.

Shilo Jones, Mountain View: Became the school’s first state champ since 2015 by rolling through the 5A heavyweight bracket with three pins and a 5-0 decision over teammate Aiden McGinnins in the finals.

Matthew Martino, Bishop Kelly: Racked up three pins and a major decision in 4A’s 152-pound division to win his third straight state title.

Sam Buck, Emmett: Brought home the 4A heavyweight title after a sudden-death victory in the semifinals and a 1-0 decision in the finals.

Quinn Hood, Fruitland: Racked up three pins and a 7-4 decision for the 3A 220-pound crown, posting 28 points as the Grizzlies set a 3A scoring record with 318 points.

Kash Cobb, Weiser: Rode three first-round pins and a 7-2 decision in the finals to the 3A 182-pound state championship.

Nathan Willoughby, New Plymouth: The senior pinned his way to the 2A heavyweight title for the second straight year. No match lasted longer than 58 seconds.

Evan Michaelson, Melba: Scored a takedown in sudden-death overtime for a 3-1 decision in the 2A 220-pound championship match.

Can’t see the below poll on your phone? Click here to open it in a mobile-friendly window.