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

The onset of the 2018-19 high school wrestling season is nearly upon us. Several athletes from Wisconsin are already making a splash at the national level.

Nine wrestlers from the state appear in FloWrestling’s latest national high school rankings. Seven of those nine are also nationally ranked by InterMat.

Leading the charge are seniors Eric Barnett of Hortonville and Parker Keckeisen of Nicolet who are both ranked No. 1 in the nation at the respective weight classes by InterMat.

Here’s a little background on each of the athletes who are currently garnering national attention:

Nicolar Rivera, freshman, Stoughton, 106 Pounds

InterMat Ranking: 9

FloWrestling Ranking: 18 (113 pounds)

Career record: 0-0

Last year: Middle School

College commitment: N/A

Notes: Rivera burst onto the scene by winning the 106 pound weight class at the USMC/USAW cadet freestyle nationals in Fargo, North Dakota back in July. He will make an immediate impact for the returning Division 1 team state champions.

Eric Barnett, senior, Hortonville, 120 pounds

InterMat Ranking: 1

FloWrestling Ranking: 1

Career record: 138-3

Last year: 46-0, Division 1 state champion at 113 pounds

College commitment: Wisconsin

Notes: Barnett captured his second consecutive state championship with his second straight perfect season. The senior hasn’t lost an in-state folkstyle match since his freshman year when he placed third at State. Barnett defeated Michigan commit Kurt McHenry (Virginia), 1-0 at the prestigious Who’s #1 event hosted by FloWrestling back in October. McHenry is ranked No. 2 in the nation by both Flo and InterMat.

Aidan Medora, junior, Brookfield Academy/Saint John’s NW Military, 138 pounds

InterMat Ranking: 19

FloWrestling Ranking: 17

Career record: 70-4

Last year: 34-0, Division 2 state champion at 132 pounds

College commitment: Wisconsin

Notes: After finishing his freshman season as state runner-up, Medora earned his way to the top of the podium a season ago. Medora won two of his three matches at State by major decision.

Last month, Medora placed eighth at the Super 32 in Greensboro, North Carolina, one of the nation’s premier pre-season folkstyle tournaments. He posted a record of 6-3.

Keegan O’Toole, junior, Arrowhead, 145 pounds

InterMat Ranking: 3

FloWrestling Ranking: 2

Career record: 74-5

Last year: 43-1, Division 1 state champion at 132 pounds

College commitment: Missouri

Notes: O’Toole capped his in-state folkstyle season with his second state championship in as many tries. This offseason, he made his presence felt at the national level. He topped Jaden Abas (California) by major decision 8-0 at Who’s #1 before dropping a 5-2 decision to JoJo Aragona (Pennsylvania) in the subsequent match. Abas is a Stanford commit ranked No. 2 in the nation at 138 pounds by Flo while Aragona is No. 1 at 138 and will be headed to Rutgers next fall.

But O’Toole wasn’t done there. He bumped up to 145 pounds a wreaked havoc on the field at Super 32. O’Toole recorded five pins en route to the championship and racked up three wins over nationally ranked opponents.

Josh Otto, senior, Arrowhead, 160 pounds

InterMat Ranking: 8

FloWrestling Ranking: 19

Career record: 119-20

Last year: 48-1, Division 1 state champion at 152 pounds

College commitment: Wisconsin

Notes: Otto broke through with his first state title last season. He enters this season as a three-time state qualifier and two-time place winner. He placed third at State in 2017.

Otto also competed at Super 32 where he tallied a 6-2 mark.

Sam Skillings, sophomore, Menomonie, 170 pounds

InterMat Ranking: NR

FloWrestling Ranking: 17

Career record: 33-6

Last year: 33-6. Third at WIAA Division 1 Sectional A

College commitment: N/A

Notes: Skillings introduced himself to the nation by taking second in both Greco and freestyle at this summer’s USMC/USAW Cadet Nationals.

Parker Keckeisen, senior, Nicolet, 182 pounds

InterMat Ranking: 1

FloWrestling Ranking: 4 (170 pounds)

Career record: 110-11

Last year: 31-0, Division 1 state champion at 170 pounds

College commitment: Northern Iowa

Notes: Last season was the year Keckeisen finally tracked down the state championship that has eluded him. He upended Holmen’s Kalyn Jahn in dominating fashion, 23-8 in the state finals. He enters his final high school season as a three-time state place winner and two-time state finalist.

Stephen Buchanan, senior, Neillsville/Greenwood/Loyal, 195 pounds

InterMat Ranking: No. 16

FloWrestling Ranking: 19

Career record: 130-17

Last year: 46-2, Division 2 state champion at 182 pounds

College commitment: Wyoming

Notes: In his second trip to State, Buchanan battled his way to the top step of the podium. The senior big man is a two-time state place winner, having finished sixth in his sophomore season.

Ryan Larson, senior, Saint Croix Central, 220 pounds

InterMat Ranking: NR

FloWrestling Ranking: 18

Career record: 71-26

Last year: 20-2, Division 2 state champion at 195 pounds

College commitment: N/A

Notes: Larson’s career has been on a steady upward trajectory. As a freshman, he didn’t make it out of regionals. The following year, he qualified for State but didn’t place. Last year it all came together in a championship run.