Another year of NCAA Wrestling is quickly approaching. Here are some of the most decorated wrestlers returning to the mat for the upcoming college season.
1 Carter Starocci-Penn State
Already a 4X NCAA Champion, Carter has had the type of career that people will be talking about for years to come. Using the Covid year to build on his legacy, Carter is gunning for a record 5th NCAA title. Carter had a high school record of 172-10 and is currently 84-2 at the college level. He has quality wins over NCAA Champions, Vincenzo Joseph, Alex Dieringer, Jason Nolf, Isaiah Martinez, and Mekhi Lewis.
2 Ridge Lovett-Nebraska
Ridge has had a wild college career this far and is the only wrestler on this list yet to win an NCAA title. In High School Ridge was a perfect 170-0 winning 4 state titles in Idaho. At Nebraska he is a 2X all-american and 4x NCAA qualifier. He is currently 76-19 in his college career,and has Quality wins over Austin Gomez, Beau Bartlett, Tyler Kasak, and NCAA Champion Caleb Henson.
3 AJ Ferrari-Cal State
After compiling a 96-1 high school record, AJ won the NCAA title in 2021 as a true freshman while compiling a 20-1 record on the season. In 2022 he was a perfect 10-0 before suffering a season ending injury. He is also the 2020 Junior National Champion in Freestyle wrestling. He has quality wins over Stephen Buchanan, Tanner Sloan, Jacob Warner,Myles Amine and Nino Bonaccorsi.
4 Richard Figueroa-Arizona State
The 2024 NCAA Champion from Arizona State is back to defend his title! Figueroa is a 3X California State Champion, a cadet world silver medalist, and a UWW Junior Nationals Champion. His college career currently stands at 32-5. He has won titles at the CKLV, The Pac 12, and The NCAA tournament. He has quality wins over Matt Ramos, Braeden Davis, and Drake Ayala.
5 Parker Keckeisen Northern Iowa
The defending NCAA Champion is back to defend his 2024 title. Parker is a 2X Wisconsin State Champion. In the college ranks he is a multi time all-american, with his lowest finish coming his freshman year where he finished 3rd at the national tournament. He has an impressive college record of 123-6, and was a perfect 31-0 last season.
6 Andrew Alirez-Colorado
Andrew was a perfect 28-0 in the 2023 season, where he won an NCAA title at 141 lbs. He is also a 2X Big 12 champion! In freestyle, Andrew is a 2X US National Champion. He has quality wins over Beau Bartlett, Austin DeSanto, and Real Woods.
7 Keegan O’Toole-Missouri
Keegan is already a 4X all-american, and 2X NCAA Champion. With an 87-4 career record at Missouri. Aside from his college career he is also a 2X World Champion, striking gold at the 2021 Junior World Championships, and in 2023 at the U23 World Championships. Keegan has quality wins over NCAA Champions Shane Griffith, David Carr, and Vincenzo Joseph.
8 Jesse Mendez-Ohio State
Jesse is a 2X all-american and the 2024 NCAA Champion where he defeated Beau Bartlett in dramatic fashion. Jesse also won a silver medal at the 2023 U20 World Championships. He has quality wins over Real Woods, Beau Bartlett, Andrew Alirez and 4X NCAA Champion Yianni Diakomihalis. His career record at Ohio State is 49-11.
9 Greg Kerkvliet Penn State
Greg was a 4X Minnesota State Champion, and a 2017 Cadet World Champion. Since joining the college ranks, he has become a 4X all-american, winning the NCAA title last season.
10 Levi Haines Penn State
A 2X all-american, 2X national finalist, and NCAA champion. Levi has had an impressive college career this far.