Defending 4A state champion Kuna won the tournament title on Saturday at the Red Halverson Invitational in Rupert.
The Kavemen produced 12 placers and three individual champions to amass 258 points and edge second-place Centennial (245.5). Nampa placed fifth (143) and Caldwell (125.5) was sixth.
“It was a great win,” Kuna coach Pat Owens said. “I think the guys felt like they had something to prove.”
Kuna’s Michael Cook won the 126-pound title to continue his masterful career. Cook, a junior who won the Rollie Lane Invitational last month, owns back-to-back 4A state titles.
Also winning for Kuna were Jake Lords (132) and Casey Cobb (113), a defending state champion who earned all-American status at July’s junior freestyle nationals in Fargo, N.D.
Finishing second for Kuna were Jacoby Peterson (106), Kurtis Loftis (145) and Jordan Nolan (182).
The Kavemen were without two varsity wrestlers but earned placements from newcomers Colton Kesling (195, fourth) and Brayden Shell (160, sixth).
“It’s nice to perform that well, and we were a little bit short,” Owens said.
Nampa 120-pounder Mikel Perales pinned Pocatello’s Andre Aguinaga in the championship match and earned the “Most Outstanding Wrestler” award among lower-weight competitors.
“I’m real pleased with Mikel’s win,” Nampa coach Wally Lester said.
Also helping Nampa were third-place finishers Chris Alvarez (170) and Bryce Fogleman (98).
Centennial produced four champions. One of them came from Hayden Tuma (138), a two-time 5A state champion junior who is ranked third in the nation within his weight class byintermat.com. The others were Jon-Jay Chavez (145), Logan Blackwood (195) and Kris McFarlane (152), a Rollie Lane champion last month.
Caldwell produced two champions: Gabe Escobedo (220) and Robert Gomez (106), a defending 4A state champion. Cougars 113-pounder Tony Gonzales placed third.
Lane Chadwick won the 170-pound title for fourth-place Mountain View (144.5).
Kuna produced third-place finishes by JC English (heavyweight) and Zack Velez (120).
