Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

Winning an individual state wrestling title is, arguably, one of the most daunting tasks a high school athlete can face.

Several of the state’s high-level wrestlers have yet to stand atop the podium. Here is a look at 10 athletes who are poised to potentially strike gold in Madison for the first time this year:

*Editor’s note: Career records are current as of the end of the 2016-17 season.

Jared Krattiger (sr., Waterford)

Career record: 145-4

While this list is in no particular order, it’s hard to imagine an upperclassmen more likely to win his first state title this year.

The only thing more astonishing than Krattiger’s 102-2 record over the last two seasons is the fact that he only has a pair of bronze medals from the state tournament to show for it.

Both of his most recent losses came in the Kohl Center at the hands of eventual state champions. He fell to Milton’s Billy Pitzner in the 2016 state quarterfinals at 170 pounds and lost to fellow Wisconsin recruit Jackson Hemauer of DeForest in last season’s state semifinals at 182.

Krattiger finished fifth in the state at 160 pounds his freshman season.

He is currently ranked fifth in the nation at 182 pounds by FloWrestling.org.

Parker Keckeisen (jr., Nicolet)

Career record: 79-11

After finishing fifth in Division 1 at 160 pounds as a freshman, Keckeisen made it all the way to the 170-pound state championship match last season.

There, he fell to Manitowoc Lincoln’s Jose Acosta by a count of 4-2.

Joey Bianchi (jr., Two Rivers)

Career record: 84-10

Bianchi reached the state championship match in each of his first two seasons at the varsity level. And on both occasions, he dropped a decision to Bryce Bosman of Luxemburg-Casco.

In fact, there’s something of a theme here. Bianchi and Bosman have met in the championship match at regionals, sectionals and the individual state tournament in each of the last two seasons.

Bianchi took the regional and sectional titles over Bosman as a freshman before Bosman returned the favor in the 106-pound Division 2 state championship bout.

Last season, Bosman swept the duo’s three matchups in the state tournament series.

Tate Murty (sr., Cochrane-Fountain City)

Career record: 103-15

Three trips to the state tournament have resulted in three podium finishes for Murty. With each trek to the medal stand, Murty has found himself closer to the top.

As a freshman, he placed sixth in Division 3 at 120 pounds. The following season, he was fourth at 126.

Last year, he made the state finals at 132 where he was upended by Cal Hansen of Deerfield 8-4. 

Tyson Sommer (sr., Athens)

Career record: 106-28

After being eliminated at regionals as a freshman, Sommer has earned his place among the state’s best the last two years.

In 2016, he placed third at 285 pounds in his first appearance at the state tournament.

A season ago, he was state runner-up at 285 in Division 3. He was pinned by Coleman’s Donovan Salewski 3:49 into their title bout.

Nolan Kicmol (sr., Evansville-Albany)

Career record: 108-17

A three-time state qualifier, Kicmol has placed on two occasions and made the state finals once.

Last year, he was third in D2 at 145 pounds. Before that, he was second at 132 pounds as a sophomore.

He reached the state tournament as a freshman, but did not place.

Lucas Schevikhoven (sr., Shoreland Lutheran)

Career record: 123-15

Schevikhoven came as close as he ever has to a state crown when he finished runner-up at 113 pounds a year ago. He found himself on the short end of a 5-2 decision against Coleman’s Caleb Gross in a Division 3 title bout.

A season earlier, he was third in D3 at that weight.

Schevikhoven was a state qualifier as a freshman though he did not reach the podium.

Zach Licht (sr., River Valley)

Career record: 124-19

Licht’s career path has followed an unusual trajectory.

After placing fourth at State in Division 2 at 106 pounds as a freshman, he didn’t qualify for the state tournament the following year. Instead, he finished fourth at sectionals at 106.

Last season, he jumped up to 132 pounds where he made the state finals. However, he lost an 8-2 match to Sam Stuhl of Ellsworth.

Sammy VanStraten (sr., Shiocton)

Career record: 117-20

A run to the state finals a season ago was VanStraten’s best showing at State to date.

He was second in D3 at 138 last year, falling to three-time state champ and Wisconsin recruit Jeremy Schoenherr (Stratford) in the title match via a 5-1 decision.

In 2016, VanStraten placed sixth at 138.

Isaac Wiegel (sr., Belmont-Platteville)

Career record: 118-24

After wrestling the state tournament series at 113 pounds for the first time, Wiegel finished third at State last season with a career-best 45-4 record.

Two seasons ago, he finished fourth in D2 at 106.

As a freshman, he qualified for the state tournament at 106 pounds, but did not place.