State wrestling

When: Today through Saturday

Where: Holt Arena, Idaho State University, Pocatello

Times: First-round matches begin this morning with one round of consolation this evening. Championship quarterfinals are Friday morning with championship semifinals in the evening. Consolation finals are Saturday morning with the championship finals in the afternoon.

5A

Defending state champ: Idaho Falls

State title contenders: Idaho Falls, Centennial, Mountain View

Returning state champs: Dillon Gentry of Meridian (won at 103 pounds last year; at 112 this year); Josh Paulson of Capital (112/119); Avery Garner of Centennial (130/135); Scott Armstrong of Borah (140/145); Tyeson Mitton of Highland (145/152); Jeremy Zabel of Coeur d’Alene (152/160); Spence Patrick of Mountain View (160/160); Kirk Smith of Centennial (171/171); Marshal Pirtz of Centennial (189/215).

Area contenders for titles: Tracey Huffman of Lewiston (112); Isaak Lawlor of CdA (135); Ryan Booth of Post Falls (145); Jesse Nielson of CdA (152); Zabel; Duane Carr of Post Falls (189); Sean Jolin of Lake City (189); Paul Merrill of Lewiston (215); Mark Skogrand of Lewiston (heavyweight).

Returning area placers: Lawlor (fourth at 125); Nielson (sixth at 145); Ian Turner of CdA (fifth at 189; 215 this year); Merrill (sixth at 215); Skogrand (second at hwt).

Noteworthy: Lewiston is taking 23 to state. If the Bengals can get three or four into the finals and several points from the rest, they can challenge for a trophy. CdA advanced 14. The Vikings hope to get six to seven medal winners. Post Falls should get at least six placers.

4A

Defending state champ: Minico

State title contenders: Sandpoint, Blackfoot, Minico, Mountain Home

Returning state champs: Colton Nielsen of Pocatello (won at 103 pounds last year; at 112 this year); David Burgara of Minico (112/125).

Area contenders for titles: Timmy Pepperdine of Sandpoint (103); Alec Ward of Sandpoint (112); Seth Wright of Lakeland (112); Brandon Richardson of Lakeland (119); Joey Fio of Sandpoint (125); Tim Klippert of Lakeland (130); Zach Horsley of Lakeland (145); Kyle Meschko of Sandpoint (152); Jerod Morris of Sandpoint (171); Scott Underdahl of Lakeland (171); Taylor Morris of Sandpoint (189).

Returning area placers: Pepperdine (third at 103 last year); Ward (fourth at 112); Kyle McCrite of Lakeland (fifth at 112; 119 this year); Fio (sixth at 125 by injury default); Horsley (third at 140); Meschko (fifth at 145); Underdahl (fourth at 160).

Noteworthy: Sandpoint and Lakeland will be well-represented at state and especially on the medals stand. As many as six from Sandpoint could win state titles, and as many as four could do the same for Lakeland.

3A

Defending state champ: American Falls

State title contenders: American Falls, Weiser

Returning state champs: Kody Laggis of American Falls (won at 103 pounds last years; at 119 this year); Golden Zollinger of Declo (112/135); David Hayes of Timberlake (won at 140 at Bonners Ferry/140).

Area contenders for state titles: Patrick Neal of Timberlake (125); Dayne Swisher of Bonners Ferry (130); Will Yergler of Kellogg (135); Hayes; Kenny Swift of Bonners Ferry (152); Kyle Joiner of St. Maries (171); Scott Holbrook of Timberlake (189); Joe Lewis of Bonners Ferry (215); Jozef Musial of Bonners Ferry (215); Jared Stone of Bonners Ferry (hwt).

Returning area placers: Neal (fifth at 125); Richie Morales of Priest River (fifth at 140/160 last year); Swift (second at 152); Musial (second at 171); Joiner (fifth at 171); Stone (second at hwt); Steven Frank of Kellogg (sixth at hwt).

Noteworthy: Bonners Ferry placed third last year. BF has captured three straight state trophies, but that could be snapped this year unless the Badgers can push five into the finals. District I champ Priest River qualified 13.