Al Fontes: National Wrestling Hall of Fame Writer | TIER 1 Wrestling | Idaho Sports

The Gametime Guru

Al Fontes is a National Wrestling Hall of Fame Writer, who has years and years of experience with the sport. And although writing wasn't his FIRST passion, he has now become one of the best to do it. His ability to break down the sport and cover the athletes involved, is incredible.

Today we get to hear from him and learn of his background in the sport and where he came from. We'll chat about wrestling in California as compared to here in Idaho and what he's learned while he's been covering the sport here in Idaho (since he moved here just a few short years ago).

We also break down the Girl's Wrestling too and discuss the immense growth that is happening on that side too!

It's an incredible opportunity to become enlightened as Al shares some serious insight with the rest of us.

What I would highly recommend is taking a look at TIER 1 Wrestling on Instagram to see the coverage he provides on social media. You can find his page here:

https://www.instagram.com/tier_one_idaho/

I'd also highly encourage you all to take a look at his content on IdahoSports.com where he does the majority of his work these days.

- https://www.idahosports.com/blogs/blogger.aspx?bloggerid=12029

Below I'd love to share with you all a list of the work he's done as a writer throughout the last 25+ years (you'll understand just how good this man's work truly is)

ALFRED F. FONTES

Published Wrestling Articles/Books (State of Idaho)

2021 - Present

TIER ONE OF IDAHO PREP WRESTLING – IDAHO SPORTS (BOYS): 9

§ Kaden MacKenzie, Fruitland (4A): Published – 10/2/24

§ Boden Banta, South Fremont (3A): Published – 9/9/24

§ Hudson Rogers, Meridian (5A): Published – 5/14/24

§ Hoyt Hvass, Lewiston (5A): Published – 1/31/24

§ Jaxton Packer, South Fremont (3A): Published – 12/8/23

§ Tanner Frothinger, Eagle (5A): Published – 11/20/2022

§ Dedrick Navarro, Nampa (5A): Published – 10/25/2022

§ Aden Attao, Borah (5A): Published – 9/8/2022

§ Mack Mauger, Blackfoot (4A): Published – 6/22/2022

HIDDEN GEMS OF IDAHO PREP WRESTLING – IDAHO SPORTS (BOYS): 16

§ Saxton Scott, Idaho Falls (5A): Published – 12/5/2024

§ Wallace Durfee, Declo (3A): Published – 10/15/24*

§ Jeremiah Gonzalez, Meridian (5A): Published – 9/26/24

§ Tyson Barnhart, Post Falls (5A): Published – 2/12/24

§ Aiden McGinnis, Mountain View (5A): Published – 1/16/24

§ Jake Castagneto, Bishop Kelly (4A): Published – 1/2/2024

§ Brunson Twins – Bowen & Riley, Buhl (3A): Published – 11/30/23

§ Talen Eck, Thunder Ridge (5A): Published – 11/16/23

§ Treygen Morin, Ridgeview (4A): Published – 11/9/23

§ Shilo Jones of Mountain View H.S. (5A): Published: 9/1/2023

§ The Valdez Brothers – Manuel & Carlos, Bishop Kelly (4A): Published – 8/17/2023

§ Rosales Twins – Daniel & Gabriel, Mountain Home (4A): Published – 4/12/2023

§ Carson Exferd, Nampa (5A): Published – 12/30/2022

§ Kolter Burton, American Falls (3A): Published: 6/2/2022

§ Matthew Martino, Bishop Kelly (4A): Published – 5/11/2022

§ Jason Mara, Meridian (5A): Published – 4/28/2022

*Formerly 1A/2A Program.

HIDDEN GEMS OF IDAHO PREP WRESTLING – IDAHO SPORTS (GIRLS): 8

§ Zoe Fries, Kuna (Girls): Published – 11/6/2024

§ Elise Twait, Meridian (Girls): Published – 8/28/24

§ Amy Hartman, Mountain Home (Girls): Published – 2/14/24

§ Joely Slyter, Lewiston (Girls): Published – 1/23/24

§ Clare Waite, Boise (Girls): Published – 10/9/23

§ Maria Sifuentes, Columbia (Girls): Published – 2/22/2023

§ Alyssa Randles, Coeur d’ Alene (Girls) Published – 8/10/2022

§ Mia Furman, Rocky Mountain (Girls): Published – 5/27/2022

MAT CHAT SERIES – IDAHO SPORTS: 6

§ Brock Zollinger, East Idaho Elite/International Official – 1/7/2025

§ Adam Hall, Bonners Ferry/Boise St./UVU New Coach – 7/05/2024

§ Derrick Booth, Post Falls/NIC – Published: 10/30/23

§ Ridge Lovett, Post Falls/Nebraska U – Published: 8/7/2023

§ Jake Rosholt, Sandpoint/Oklahoma State – Published: 1/17/2023

§ Casey Randles, Coeur d’ Alene/Grand View U – Published: 4/20/2022

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP – IDAHO SPORTS (ALL-DIVISIONS): 15

§ 2024 5A State Wrestling Recap: – Published: 2/28/24

§ 2024 4A State Wrestling Recap: – Published: 2/28/24

§ 2024 3A State Wrestling Recap: – Published: 2/28/24

§ 2024 2A/1A State Wrestling Recap: – Published: 2/28/24

§ 2024 Girls State Wrestling Recap: – Published: 2/28/24

§ 2023 5A State Wrestling Recap: Meridian Three-Peats – Published: 3/6/2023

§ 2023 4A State Wrestling Recap: Individuals Shine, Minico Surges to Team Title – Published: 3/6/2023

§ 2023 3A State Wrestling Recap: Hobbs and South Fremont Go 4-for-4 In Title Wins – Published: 3/6/2023

§ 2023 2A/1A State Wrestling Recap: Grace’s Newby Joins 4-Time Champion Club – Published: 3/6/2023

§ 2023 Girls State Wrestling Recap: Alyssa Randles Becomes Second 4-Time State Champ – Published: 3/6/2023

§ Inside the Numbers: 5A State Wrestling Meet – Published: 3/7/2022

§ Inside the Numbers: 4A State Wrestling Meet – Published: 3/7/2022

§ Inside the Numbers: 3A State Wrestling Meet – Published: 3/7/2022

§ Inside the Numbers: 2A/1A State Wrestling Meet – Published: 3/7/2022

§ Inside the Numbers: Girls State Wrestling Meet – Published: 3/7/2022

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW – IDAHO SPORTS (ALL-DIVISIONS): 15

§ 2024 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 5A – Published: 2/22/24

§ 2024 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 4A – Published: 2/22/24

§ 2024 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 3A – Published: 2/22/24

§ 2024 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 2A/1A – Published: 2/22/24

§ 2024 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Girls Division – Published: 2/22/24

§ 2023 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 5A – Published: 2/22/2023

§ 2023 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 4A – Published: 2/22/2023

§ 2023 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 3A – Published: 2/22/2023

§ 2023 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 2A/1A – Published: 2/22/2023

§ 2023 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Girls Division – Published: 2/22/2023

§ 2022 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 5A – Published: 2/24/2022

§ 2022 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 4A – Published: 2/24/2022

§ 2022 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 3A – Published: 2/24/2022

§ 2022 Idaho State Wrestling Preview: Class 2A/1A – Published: 2/24/2022

§ 2022 State Wrestling Preview: Girls – Published: 2/24/2022

PRESEASON HIGH SCHOOL REVIEW – IDAHO SPORTS (ALL-DIVISIONS): 15

§ 2024 -‘25 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (6A), Published: 12/10/24

§ 2024 -‘25 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (5A), Published: 12/10/24

§ 2024 -‘25 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (4A), Published: 12/10/24

§ 2024 -‘25 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (3A), Published: 12/10/24

§ 2024 -‘25 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (Girls), Published: 12/10/24

§ 2023 -‘24 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (5A), Published: 12/12/23

§ 2023 -‘24 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (4A), Published: 12/12/23

§ 2023 -‘24 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (3A), Published: 12/12/23

§ 2023 -‘24 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (2A/1A), Published: 12/12/23

§ 2023 -‘24 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (Girls), Published: 12/12/23

§ 2022 -‘23 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (5A), Published: 12/6/2022

§ 2022 -‘23 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (4A), Published: 12/6/2022

§ 2022 -‘23 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (3A), Published: 12/6/2022

§ 2022 -‘23 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (2A/1A), Published: 12/6/2022

§ 2022 -‘23 Idaho State Wrestling Preview (Girls), Published: 12/6/2022

MISC ARTICLES – IDAHO SPORTS (IDAHO): 30

§ Ivanov and Jones Bring Home Fargo Gold – Published: 7/25/2024

§ Class of 2024 College Commits – Published: 6/13/2024

§ Wrestling USA Magazine – Senior H.S. All-Americans – Published: 6/8/2024

§ Idaho Represents Well at Nationals – Suples’ Ivanov, Attao, and Georgiev Win National Titles – Published: 5/6/2024

§ Mauger and Waite Win 2024 H.S. Excellence Awards – Published: 5/1/2024

§ Gem State is All Business at the Folkstyle Nationals – Published: 3/18/24

§ Celebrating Idaho’s First Fargo National Championship Ring Ceremony – Published: 11/27/23

§ Meridian’s Hudson Rogers Wins National Title – Team ID Produces 8 AAs – Published: 11/1/23

§ Team Idaho Makes History – Brings Home First Fargo Title – Published 7/27/2023

§ 2023 Fargo Preview – Published:7/13/2023

§ Idaho Wrestlers Bring Home Gold – Published 7/7/2023

§ Idaho Wrestling Pair Selected to Wrestling USA Magazine All-American Teams – Published: 7/7/2023

§ Team Idaho Makes Statement at Junior Duals – Published: 6/27/23

§ 2023 Idaho High School Wrestling: College Commits and Rosters – Published: 6/1/2023

§ Idaho Shines at National Wrestling Competitions – Published: 5/5/2023

§ Attao and Randles Win National High School Excellence Awards – Published: 4/24/2023

§ Team Idaho Represents Well at 2023 USAW Folkstyle Nationals – Published: 4/5/2023

§ Jones and Waite Earn All-American Honors – Published: 3/31/2023

§ The 20 Gems of Idaho Prep Wrestling – Published: 12/5/2022

§ 2022 Treasure Valley Middle School Wrestling Championships – Published: 11/28/2022

§ Idaho Wrestlers Recognized in National Preseason Rankings – Published 10/14/2022

§ 2022 Wrestling USA Magazine Names Three Idaho High Schoolers All-Americans – Published 8/4/2022

§ Team Idaho Makes Big Statement at 2022 Fargo USA Nationals – Published: 7/25/2022

§ Team Idaho Heads to Fargo USA Nationals – Published: 7/14/2022

§ Team Idaho Represents at Turf War Duals – Published: 7/5/2022

§ Idaho Prep Wrestlers Represent at 2022 USMC US Open – Published 5/3/2022

§ Team Idaho Wins Back-to-Back National Folkstyle Titles – Published: 4/7/2022

§ Idaho Represents at National and International Wrestling Competitions – Published: 3/31/2022

§ Participation Skyrockets at Jaybird Memorial Tourney – Published 1/17/2022

§ 21ST Annual Rollie Lane Invitational Recap – Published 1/11/2022

THE IDAHO ELITE REPORT (TIER 1): 7

§ The Jadon Skellenger Story – Published: October 2021 (Vol. 1, No. 7)

§ The Idaho 24 Makes State History at Fargo – Published: July 2021 (Vo1. 1, No. 6)

§ Wrestling USA Magazine All-Americans – Published: May 2021 (Vol. 1, No. 5)

§ History of Boise State Wrestling – Published: September 2021 (Vol. 1, No. 3)

§ Team Idaho – Fargo Nationals – Published: July 2021 (Vol. 1, No. 4)

§ History of Team Idaho at the FS/GR Nationals, Fargo -Published: June 2021 (Vol. 1, No. 2)

§ TIER 1 Wrestling Introduction – Published: May 2021 (Vol. 1, No.1)

WRESTLING USA MAGAZINE (WUSA): 16

§ Steve Siroy – The Golden Effect of a Lifelong Coaching Figure – Published: June 15, 2024 (Vol. 55, No. 5)

§ Zack Papachristos – From Near Death to Becoming a Legend – Published: April 15, 2024 (Vo. 59, No. 4)

§ Building From the Grassroots Level and Above – Dusty Vaughn – Published: February 15, 2024 (Vo. 59, No. 3)

§ Following His Dreams – The Kurt Angle Story – Published: December 15, 2023 (Vol. 58., No. 8)

§ Kaidance Gerg Story – Published: October 15, 2023 (Vol. 58, No. 7)

§ History of Chabot College Wrestling Program – Published August 15, 2023 (Vol. 58, No. 6)

§ HIDDEN GEMS – The Rosales Brothers – Published: June 15, 2023 (Vol. 58, No. 5)

§ Always Moving Forward: Andrew Koponen Story – Published: April 15, 2023 (Vol. 58, No. 4)

§ The Idaho Elite Report – Published: February 15, 2023 (Vol. 58, No. 3)

§ Driven By Design: The Joe Iacono Story – Published: December 15, 2022 (Vol. 58, No. 2)

§ Catching Up With Vision Quest’s Frank Jasper “aka, Brian Shute” – Published: October 15, 2022 (Vol. 58, No. 1

§ Idaho’s Levi Jones “ALL IN,” the Innovation and Growth of Wrestling in the Gem State and Beyond – Published: August 15, 2022 (Vol. 57, No. 6)

§ Idaho’s Chris Owens Setting the Precedent in The Gem State – Published: June 15, 2022 (Vol. 57, No. 5)

§ Rollie Lane Invitational: Where the Best Come to Meet – Published: February 15, 2022 (Vol. 57, No. 3)

§ The Jadon Skellenger Story: Intrinsically Motivated – Published: December 15, 2021 (Vol. 57, No. 2)

§ Boise State Wrestling 1958-20217: A History Worth Repeating – Published: October 15, 2021 (Vol. 57, No. 1)

AMATEUR WRESTLING NEWS (AWN): 4

§ HIDDEN GEMS editorial – Published: October 15, 2022 (Vol. 68, No. 3)

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