The talent pool in Wisconsin seems to get deeper each season with more and more prospects ascending into the national rankings and establishing themselves as recognizable names. 

Here’s a look at 25 Wisconsin wrestlers you need to know heading into this season. 

Brett Back (Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln) — sophomore, 152 pounds

The Rapids Sophomore placed third at 145 in D1 as a freshman in a stacked bracket. He followed that with a 16U Folkstyle National Championship, 16U Wisconsin state freestyle and Greco championships, a 16U runner-up finish in Fargo in Greco, a 16U fourth-place finish in freestyle at Fargo and he finished 8-0 at the 16U National Duals in Greco.

Ben Bast (West Bend West) — junior, 113 pounds

The West Bend West junior won his first state Championship at 106 in D1. He followed that with a fourth-place finish in freestyle at the UWW Cadet Trials and a runner-up finish at 113 in the Junior Division of Wisconsin State Freestyle. He also went 3-2 in freestyle in Fargo, 3-0 at the Junior National Duals in freestyle and 3-2 at Super 32. 

Karson Casper (Coleman) — senior, 145 pounds

Casper is a two-time state finalist who won a D3 title at 138 as a sophomore and lost a heartbreaker to Cael Erickson last season. While he isn’t active on the offseason circuit — he’s a three-sport athlete — he is one of the top hammers in Wisconsin who will likely continue to wrestle next year at Augsburg.

Greyson Clark (Kaukauna) — junior, 138 pounds

The Wisconsin recruit won his second state championship in D1 at 126. He followed that with a team state championship with Kaukauna and a Junior Folkstyle national title at 132. Clark is a three-time Fargo All-American. He also placed seventh in freestyle at the UWW Cadet Trials and eighth at the Super 32. Clark is currently ranked 14th in the national rankings. 

Shane Corrigan (West De Pere) — senior, 120 pounds

Corrigan placed second at the state tournament in D1 at 120. He’s a two-time state runner-up who placed third at Folkstyle Nationals. He went 5-2 in Fargo in freestyle and 4-2 at the Super 32. Corrigan is a UW-Parkside recruit. 

Gavin Drexler (Stratford) — senior, 138 pounds

Drexler is a North Dakota State commit who is a heavy favorite to win his third D3 state title. He went 6-2 this fall at the Super 32, losing in the blood round. He’s a past Fargo finalist. 

Cael Erickson (Cedar Grove-Belgium) — senior, 152 pounds

A senior who has steadily improved since entering high school. Won a D3 state title last season at 145 with a win over Karson Casper. Erickson is a three-time state placewinner. He recently placed fifth at the Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals. Erickson is a Nebraska-Kearney recruit.  

Tanner Gerber (Cameron) — senior, 138 pounds

A three-time state champ who’s been busy every offseason during his time in high school. Won a state title as a freshman at 106 and has continued to develop. Gerber’s 2021 includes a Corn Cob Nationals title and a runner-up finish at the Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals. He went 3-2 in Fargo in freestyle.

Koy Hopke (Amery) — sophomore, 220 pounds

One of the nation’s top sophomores. Hopke is currently ranked seventh nationally at 220. He went undefeated last year as a freshman on his way to a Wisconsin state title. He’s a National Triple Crown winner. 

Dawson Johnson (Cumberland) — sophomore, 120 pounds

Won a D3 title last season at 106 and was the unofficial top 106-pounder in the state as he won the TOA Holiday High School Classic over D1 champ Ben Bast and fellow D3 rival Ian Radintz. Johnson also won a 113-pound freestyle state title with a win over Reid Spurley. Additionally, he went 3-2 in Fargo and 2-2 at the Super 32 at 120. 

Rhett Koening (Prairie du Chien) — junior, 126 pounds

A two-time state champ who finished last season with a Wisconsin Triple Crown as he won both 16U Greco and freestyle titles in May. He was a Fargo Greco All-American and went 7-1 in Greco at the National Duals. 

Kole Marko (St. Croix Falls) — senior, 160 pounds

A Minnesota State commit who enters his senior season in pursuit of a fourth state title. Marko went 3-2 at the Super 32 and he’s hungry for more success as one of the top wrestlers in Wisconsin. 

Mitchell Mesenbrink (Arrowhead) — senior, 152 pounds

A Cal Baptist recruit who won his second state title in D1 at 152 pounds. He’s a three-time state placewinner (3-1-1). His offseason included a title at the USA Wrestling National Recruiting Showcase, a 5-2 freestyle performance in Fargo and a seventh-place at the Super 32. Mesenbrink is currently ranked seventh nationally at 152. 

Caleb Meunier (Winneconne) — senior, 145 pounds

A Minnesota State recruit who’s looking to close his career with three consecutive state titles. Lost in the state finals as a freshman against current Minnesota Gopher Blaine Brenner. Meunier also had a runner-up finish to Brenner at the state freestyle tournament. 

Charlie Millard (Homestead) — sophomore, 152 pounds

Finished fourth last season at the D1 state tournament as a freshman at 138. Since then, Millard went 2-2 at the UWW Cadet Trials in freestyle, placed second in freestyle and third in Greco at the Wisconsin state tournament. He placed fifth in Fargo in freestyle and went 7-1 in freestyle at the 16U National Duals. He’s currently ranked 20th nationally at 152. 

Connor Mirasola (West Bend West) — sophomore, 182 pounds

Won a state title last season at 170, becoming the heaviest freshman champion in D1 history. Mirasola had a terrific offseason in freestyle. He placed second at the UWW Cadet Trials, won a Wisconsin state title, placed third in Fargo and went 6-2 at the 16U National Duals. He’s currently ranked 12th nationally at 182. 

Cole Mirasola (West Bend West) — sophomore, 182 pounds

Placed fifth at the D1 state tournament as a freshman at 182. Followed that up by winning a freestyle state title and also placed fourth in Fargo in freestyle, where he dropped the third-place match to his brother, Connor, by virtue of a coin flip. Cole also went 8-0 in freestyle at the 16U National Duals. He’s currently ranked 16th nationally at 182. 

Noah Mulvaney (Arrowhead) — junior, 170 pounds

Placed second at the state tournament as a freshman and third as a sophomore. Went 2-2 at the UWW Cadet Trials in freestyle and placed fifth at the state freestyle tournament. Mulvaney went 5-2 in freestyle in Fargo and also won five of his seven bouts at the Super 32. 

Max Ramberg (Baldwin-Woodville) — senior, 195 pounds

An Augustana recruit who placed third as a sophomore and second as a junior at the Wisconsin state tournament. Ramberg’s resume also includes a Brian Keck Memorial Preseason Nationals title. He’s currently ranked 19th nationally at 195. 

Nicolar Rivera (Stoughton) — senior, 126 pounds

Rivera’s resume speaks for itself with just two in-state losses in his three-year career. Those defeats came against current Minnesota Gopher Jager Eisch. Rivera is a two-time state champ and three-time finalist. He’s also a Fargo 16U champion He had a quiet offseason while rehabbing an injury. He’s one of the most dynamic and offensively diverse wrestlers in the country and he’s must-watch entertainment each time he steps on the mat. 

Braeden Scoles (Kewaskum) — junior, 160 pounds

Captured his second state title in two years by recording a pin and two technical falls last season. Provided Wisconsin wrestling with a great encore by winning another championship at the freestyle state tournament. Placed fourth at the UWW Cadet Trials in freestyle and fourth in freestyle in Fargo. Ranked seventh nationally at 160. 

Aeoden Sinclair (Milton) — sophomore, 170 pounds

Coming off a seventh-place finish at the Super 32. Placed third in freestyle in Fargo. His offseason also included freestyle and Greco state titles. Comes into this season looking to build on an impressive freshman season that culminated with a third-place finish in a loaded state tournament bracket.

Brayden Sonnentag (Cadott) — junior, 132 pounds

The junior from Cadott added to his hardware collection by winning his second state title and capturing a state Greco title. Went 3-2 in Fargo in freestyle and also turned in a strong performance at National Duals. 

Noah Tonsor (Slinger) — senior, 113 pounds

Became Slinger’s first state champion last season and followed that up by winning another title at the freestyle state tournament. Recently committed to Army West Point. 

Clayton Whiting (Oconto Falls) — senior, 182 pounds

A Missouri recruit who reached the finals of the Super 32. Comes into this season looking to win his fourth state title. His busy offseason included state titles in freestyle and Greco, a pair of All-American finishes in Fargo (fifth in freestyle and third in Greco) and capped it off by winning the Pointer Open and the Luther Open, the latter of which included a win over Iowa’s Abe Assad in the finals. Ranked fifth nationally at 182.