POCATELLO — Bishop Kelly technically won their first ever state title in wrestling. Minico also technically won a third-straight state title.
The 4A competition ended in a tie, the first time any wrestling competition has since 1969. The Knights held on to a slim lead late in the evening at the state tournament in Pocatello, but the Spartans still had a few wrestlers to go to overtake Bishop Kelly.
Minico needed a pin from Garrett Vail in the 220 pound final to force a tie. He did just that in the first period as both teams finished with 248 points. A win by pin is worth two extra points.
“I knew he was going to get it. It’s the way it played out,” Bishop Kelly head coach Manny Ybarra said.
After both teams were informed there were no tiebreakers in place, the reality set in of a shared state title.
“I can’t even fathom that right now,” Ybarra said. “It’s the roller coaster of the whole tournament. We never would have guessed that. It’s crazy it came down to a tie. Team effort to get there.”
The Knights did everything they could to win it outright. Six of the 15 wrestlers they brought to the state tournament won a state title. Minico had 20 wrestlers compete with three state champions.
Jake Castagneto and Matthew Martino each won a third state title, winning at 132 and 152 pounds respectively. Joining them in winning state titles were Holten Crane (98), Carlos Valdez (145), Jadon Skellenger (160) and Seiya Thompson.
Thompson won by pin in his match to extend the Knights’ lead further, but Minico had three wrestlers in a row win the matches following the 170 final.
Emmett’s Sam Buck was the only other local champion, winning at 285.
3A
Fruitland ended South Fremont’s run of fourth straight title, paced by three state champions. They ended up with 318 points, well ahead of Buhl in second place with 235. South Fremont finished fourth with 176.
Braden Griffith got the night started with a win at 98 pounds. Kaden MacKenzie defended his title at 152 and Quinn Hood scored a win at 220. The Grizzlies had two other wrestlers compete in a championship mat.
In total, Fruitland had 17 wrestlers place. It’s the second state title in school history. The first came in 2014.
Weiser came in sixth place with one state champion. Kash Cobb defeated Buhl’s Ryder Sheen in the 182 final.
Homedale’s Trevor Payntner won the 106 pound final.
2A/1A
New Plymouth came up just short in winning a third state title in the last four years. They came in second place with 159 points. Malad won it with 183.5
Only two of the Pilgrims’ five finalists on Saturday took home gold. Gabriel Cox took down Bridger Jolley in the first round of the 182 pound final. Nathan Willoughby did the same to St. Maries’ Scott Sotin in the 285 final, ending the night on a positive note for New Plymouth.
Blane Ethington (113), Jeremiah Perry (126) and Jacob Shaw (152) all were defeated in the championship matches. Shaw was a defending champion at his weight.
Melba’s Evan Michaelson scored a state title for the Mustangs, winning the 220 final.
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