KELLOGG — Roughly 48 hours after winning his second straight state wrestling championship, Kellogg High School junior Colton Storey is still letting it sink in. 

Storey claimed title No. 2 with a pin over Malad’s Jack Willie — the 106‑pound champ from a year ago — in the 3A 113‑pound final on Saturday at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa. 

“He really couldn’t do anything against me,” Storey said of the match. 

In three and a half minutes later, Storey proved it, pinning Willie, just as he had pinned each of his previous three opponents. No close calls, no need for points or overtime — just dominance. 

It marked the second consecutive year Storey entered the state tournament as the top seed. A year ago, also at 113, he survived a sudden‑victory semifinal scare on his way to the title. This time, determined to avoid a similar scenario, he and his coaches focused heavily on his mental approach. 

“Colton wrestled a total of 9 minutes and 32 seconds this past weekend; he pinned his way through the 113‑pound bracket,” first‑year head coach Boone Giulio said. “His tournament was already won before he stepped onto the mat. His mindset and preparation are next level and it shows.” 

Giulio, who replaced longtime coach and current athletic director Scott Miller, immediately connected with Storey. 

“I love wrestling for him,” Storey said. “We really connected. He knows how to bring the intensity up, but then he also knows how to calm us down when we need it.” 

The season wasn’t without adversity. Storey suffered two early losses — to Coeur d’Alene’s Rocco White in a dual and to Timberlake’s Wyatt Carey in the 113‑pound finals at the George Wild Memorial Tournament in Kellogg — setbacks he admitted gnawed at him. 

“I lost two matches that I shouldn’t have lost,” he said. “I got caught and shouldn’t have lost. You just have to forget about it and move on. It’s an up-and-down sport and you have to keep going forward.” 

Those were the only blemishes on his record. He rebounded the following week, winning the 106‑pound division at the Tri‑State Invitational at North Idaho College. But in January, he hyperextended his left elbow, causing nerve damage that forced him out of several events, including the North Idaho Rumble at Coeur d'Alene High.

“Colton's process throughout the year was clean and crisp,” Giulio said. “We were struggling through a couple of injuries that occurred mid‑January, so we sat him for several tournaments to properly heal. By the time the state tournament rolled around he was 100% mentally and physically. He is a poster child wrestler. Never complains, leads not only by example but by command. He doesn't just want success for himself but for the entire team as a whole. He may be one of the smallest on the team, but everyone looks up to him.” 

Storey praised the Wildcats’ team performance in Boise. His practice partner, Johnny Stovern, placed fourth at 120 pounds, while teammate Kevin Watson finished third at 113. Their results helped Kellogg secure a second‑place team finish, the program’s best showing since the 1980s. 

“It’s really special to be a part of a team like this,” Storey said. “Hopefully, we can come back and do it again. We’ll have another solid team.” 

Storey isn’t sure whether he’ll stay at 113 pounds next season or move up, but he knows exactly what he’s aiming for: a three‑peat. 

“Colton is etching his name in the history books not only for Kellogg wrestling but for the entire state of Idaho,” Giulio said. “The best part of all of this, is that he's only a junior. The hunger to be a three‑time state champ is just as high, if not higher than this year's state title.” 

Storey agrees, and his trademark confidence is already on display as he looks ahead to next year. 

“I don’t see anybody,” he said. 

    Kellogg coaches Travis Berti (left) and Boone Giulio (right) celebrate Colton Storey's pinfall win over Malad’s Jack Willie in the 3A 113-pound final.