Al Fontes: National Wrestling Hall of Fame Writer | TIER 1 Wrestling | Idaho Sports
Release Date: 01/17/2025
Pro Hooper to Elite Trainer: Anthony Tucker's Journey with Hoop Habits
The Gametime Guru
In this episode of The Gametime Guru, I interview Anthony Tucker, the founder of Hoop Habits and former professional basketball player who competed overseas and in the Big Ten. From winning a high school state championship to building a training facility focused on mindset, recovery, and development, Anthony shares powerful insights on how to navigate the transition from athlete to entrepreneur. TOPICS COVERED: The mindset required for professional basketball Overcoming being cut and bouncing back stronger How AAU basketball has changed (and where it’s headed) Building a youth basketball...
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Colby Blaine | College of Idaho Men's Basketball Coach | National Championship and Coach of the Year
The Gametime Guru
The last time I spoke with Colby Blaine, was back in 2020, and we were able to hear about what he was building over at College of Idaho for their men's basketball program. Since that time SO MUCH has happened, which is exactly why I needed to circle back with the man to hear the updates. The Yotes basketball program won the national championship in 2023 and 2025 with some big runs into the Elite 8 and the Fab 4 of the NAIA National Tournament in the past few years. He's also finished with an NABC NAIA Coach of the Year award in 2023 and 2025. According to Wikipedia "The NABC...
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Matt Skura | Life in the NFL, Mental Health, and Finding Your Edge Through Technique
The Gametime Guru
In this powerful and insightful interview on The Gametime Guru Podcast, I’m joined by former NFL offensive lineman Matt Skura, best known for his time with the Baltimore Ravens. We dive deep into Matt's football journey—from his college days at Duke University, to the brutal grind of the NFL trenches, and the personal battles he's faced off the field. Matt shares: What it was like to play college football at Duke and his favorite on-field memories The biggest transitions he faced entering the NFL and the moment he realized he had made it His most physically demanding experiences in...
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Abu Kigab | Discipline and Consistency | Professional Basketball Player
The Gametime Guru
Abu Kigab is a former Boise State and Oregon basketball player. He's now playing professionally overseas and is making an impact with the game of basketball. In this 400th episode of The Gametime Guru, we are diving into what it truly takes to compete at a high level. Abu talks about the importance of taking care of your body. How nutrition and sleep play such an important role in your ability to play at 100% during your career and he speaks on the importance of discipline and consistency when trying to level up your game. It's intriguing to hear from someone who is actively...
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David Hitz | Athlete Narrative | Amazing Tool to Help Athletes In Their Recruiting Journey
The Gametime Guru
Athlete Narrative is an app for athletes to help streamline the recruiting process for them. See, one of the biggest hiccups in the young athlete's journey, is the recruiting process as a whole. What do they need when they reach out to coaches? How many emails do they need to send? What if there was a tool that could help with all of this? The app will help you build your radar page (profile) and then with the AI technology inside of it, will provide you information on schools and their coaching staff's information to contact. It will help you craft emails that are tailored to those...
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Shane Larson | Gametime Guru | Coaching & Team Basketball
The Gametime Guru
As a coach, I have the opportunity to see just how powerful team basketball can truly be when playing the game of basketball. Even at my age, I was able to witness the power of playing team ball in our City League Championship here in Idaho. Why does it seem hard for many kids to grasp this concept though? We'll talk about that in the show today. We'll also discuss some of the interviews that I've done in recent times and I'll go through some of the things I've learned from the guests that I've been able to speak to. I used to do these shows solo back when I began doing the...
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Sam Winter | Boise State Basketball and the Power of Content Creation as an Athlete
The Gametime Guru
In this episode of The Gametime Guru, I sit down with Sam Winter, former Boise State Basketball player and creative content creator. Sam’s story goes beyond his time on the court—he built a personal brand by sharing behind-the-scenes stories and embracing his role within a Division I program. His content gave fans a unique, authentic look at life as a college athlete. We cover Sam’s athletic journey, including: How an ACL injury in high school almost ended his career His decision to walk on at Boise State and what it took to earn a spot on the team Life as a D1 basketball player and the...
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Andrew "Dru" Faga | UNLV Football Alum & Co-Host of Huddle Up Youth Sports Podcast
The Gametime Guru
In this episode of The Gametime Guru, I sit down with Andrew "Dru" Faga, former UNLV Fullback and Idaho State Linebacker, to talk about his football journey and life after the game. Dru shares what it was like playing at the Division I level, his transition between programs, and the lessons he learned on and off the field. But this conversation goes beyond his playing days! Dru is now one of the co-hosts of the Huddle Up Youth Sports Podcast, a show dedicated to helping parents, coaches, and anyone involved in youth athletics navigate the world of sports. We dive deep into the youth sports...
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"Slammin' Sammy Christensen: From Late Bloomer to Pro Athlete | The Gametime Guru Podcast
The Gametime Guru
In this episode of The Gametime Guru, I sit down with "Slammin' Sammy Christensen" to dive deep into his journey as an athlete. Sammy was a late bloomer in high school, but his dedication and multi-sport background helped shape his success. We discuss: 🏈 Football recruiting and how he ended up playing college baseball instead ⚾ His JUCO baseball experience and the transition to a university before going pro ⚾ Lessons from the minor leagues and how they shaped his mindset 🏆 His success in coaching young athletes and mindset development 🏀 His championships in city league basketball...
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Nick Fazekas: Nevada Basketball Legend Becomes SUPERSTAR in Japan
The Gametime Guru
Nick Fazekas was a University of Nevada (Reno) Legend!! There is a reason why his number is retired at the University! What some (like myself) may not have known however, is just how unbelievable his story was AFTER college! Nick played college basketball during a time where I watched a LOT of basketball and I remembered him playing at Nevada. That said, I never realized what actually happened when he left college. Today in this interview however, I learned SO MUCH that I never would have realized had he not joined me for the discussion. What I hope you take from this interview is...
info_outlineAl 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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