Parker Keckeisen

Parker Keckeisen (born May 30, 2001) is an American freestyle and former folkstyle wrestler who competes at 86 kilograms. The 2024 184 lb NCAA champion, Keckeisen finished a 5-time all American, 5 time Big 12 champion and a three time NCAA finalist.

Keckeisen, making his debut, at the NCAA tournament became the highest placing freshman since 1952 placing third at 184 lbs.^[1] Keckeisen, the four seed, defeated Iowa State's Sam Colbray by decision and a major decision over David Key of Navy. Keckeisen defeated Hunter Bolen of Virginia Tech in second sudden victory after each scored a point in the first tiebreakers. He was edged out by top-seeded Aaron Brooks of Penn State, 6–4 in the semi-finals. In the medal rounds, Keckeisen defeated Brit Wilson of Northern Illinois by decision and John Poznanski of Rutgers by decision to secure bronze.^[2]

Keckeisen started his second NCAA tournament off 2-0 defeating Wisconsin's Chris Weiler by major decision 13-4 and Maryland's Kyle Cochran 9–3. Keckeisen fell to the back side with a 6–5 loss to Cal Poly's Bernie Truax.^[3] In the blood round Keckeisen defeated Nebraska's Taylor Venz 7–5 to secure his second all-American finish. To finish the tournament Keckeisen took out returned Senior Nationals runner up NC State's Trent Hidlay 7–5 in tiebreaker and took revenge on Bernie Truax 6–4 to finish 3rd.^[4][5]

After back to back third-place finishes Keckeisen entered the 2023 NCAA tournament the number one seed at 184 lb after winning his third straight Big 12 Conference tournament title. Keckeisen started the tournament with a 12-3 major decision over West Virginia's Anthony Carman. Keckeisen then rattled off three straight decision wins over Leigh's Tate Samuelson 4–2, Minnesota's Isaiah Salazar 3-2 and Oregon State's Trey Munoz 4–1. In the finals Keckeisen fell to rival Aaron Brooks of Penn State 7-2 finishing as the national runner up.^[6] Keckeisen finished the season with a 26–2 record, recording the eighth best single-season win percentage in UNI history (.928).^[7]

Keckeisen entered the 2024 national tournament undefeated once again the number one seed after becoming Northern Iowa's first four time Big 12 Tournament champion, defeating Oklahoma State's Dustin Plott 14–5 in the tournament final. Keckeisen kicked off the national tournament with a major decision over Long Island's Anthony D'Alesio 10–0. Keckeisen then recorded back-to-back technical falls over Iowa State's Will Feldkamp 19-4 and Navy's David Key 22–6. In the semi-final Keckeisen defeated familiar foe Trey Munoz of Oregon State by major decision 10–2. In a rematch of the Big 12 Conference finals, Keckeisen took down Oklahoma State's Dustin Plott 14–5 to win his first national title.^[8] Keckeisen was UNI's 23rd NCAA Division I national championship (45th overall between Division I and Division II) and first since Drew Foster's 2019 national title.^[9] He was also the program's first undefeated national champion since Bill Dotson in 1963. Keckeisen was awarded Big 2024 12 wrestler of the year.^[10]

After a record fifth Big 12 conference title, Keckeisen entered the 2025 NCAA tournament undefeated and as the second seed at 184 lb. Keckeisen started his fifth national tournament with a technical fall over Missouri's Colton Hawks 19–4. The next two rounds Keckeisen picked up major decisions over Dylan Fishback of North Carolina State 14-3 and Illinois's Edmond Ruth 13–5. In the semi-finals Keckeisen defeated Minnesota's Max McEnelly in an overtime thriller 4–1 to advance to his third straight 184 lb finals.^[11] In a matchup of returning NCAA champions, Keckeisen fell to Penn State's Carter Starocci 4–3. Keckeisen finished his collegiate career a five-time All-American and a five-time Big 12 champion. He holds the UNI record for highest winning percentage all-time (.956) and is third all-time in wins (133–6).^[12]

Keckeisen competed early in his career at the 2019 Olympic Trials qualifier and the 2020 Senior National Championships. Keckeisen finished 2-2 and 1-2 respectfully before taking a break from freestyle during his collegiate career.^[13] In his first senior level competition since 2020, Keckeisen finished fourth at the 2025 US Open at 84 kg. Keckeisen, the four-seed in the bracket, cruised through his first three matches of the competition, defeating Jason Bynarowicz (Colorado Mesa WC), Daniel Williams (Navy WC) and Rocco Welsh (KD Training Center). Following a semifinal loss to top-seeded Kyle Dake (NLWC), Keckeisen rebounded with a 5-2 decision over former Iowa State wrestler Marcus Coleman (Cyclone RTC). In the third place match Keckeisen dropped to Chance Marsteller (New Jersey RTC) to take fourth place.^[14]