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These 24 high school wrestlers are worth keeping an eye on for the 2023-24 season

adam duvall, peoria journal star
·4 min read

Here are the top 24 boys and girls wrestlers to watch heading into the 2023-24 season. Statistics and honors listed are from last season. Wrestlers are listed in alphabetical order.

Ian Akers, Peoria Notre Dame

Akers enters his junior season following a fourth-place finish at the Class 1A Illinois High School Association boys state meet. The Chuck Murdoch all-area team member finished 43-6 last season.

2023 IHSA wrestling state finals: Boys | Girls

Karen Canchola, Morton

The junior's fifth-place finish at the IHSA girls state meet came at 130 pounds, winning her match by decision. She posted a 26-7 last season.

Jackson Carroll, Illini Bluffs

Carroll was stopped in the 1A 138-pound wrestlebacks quarterfinals at last season's boys state meet. The junior finished 47-8 and earned Chuck Murdoch all-area team honors.

Peyton Cox, Washington

Washington's Peyton Cox, top, grapples with Mascoutah's Santino Robinson in the 132-pound match of the Class 2A state wrestling tournament Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Champaign.
Washington's Peyton Cox, top, grapples with Mascoutah's Santino Robinson in the 132-pound match of the Class 2A state wrestling tournament Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Champaign.

Cox went all the way to the Class 2A 132-pound boys title match, finishing second with a 44-3 record. He was a member of the Chuck Murdoch all-area team.

Harrison Dea, Morton

The sophomore ended his first varsity season on a high note, finishing fifth in the 2A boys 106-pound bout. He was 37-11 and a member of the Chuck Murdoch all-area team.

Parker Duffy, El Paso-Gridley

The junior didn't make the 1A boys state meet at 195 pounds, but finished with a 32-17 record. Duffy was named to the Chuck Murdoch all-area team.

Savannah Hamilton, El Paso-Gridley

El Paso-Gridley's Savannah Hamilton, third from the left, poses on the podium following her 140-pound title bout at the inaugural IHSA girls wrestling state meeting. The freshman lost a 6-2 decision to Antonia Phillips of Alton.
El Paso-Gridley's Savannah Hamilton, third from the left, poses on the podium following her 140-pound title bout at the inaugural IHSA girls wrestling state meeting. The freshman lost a 6-2 decision to Antonia Phillips of Alton.

Hamilton took a runner-up finish at 130 pounds last season in the IHSA girls state meet. The junior posted a 21-11 record.

Valerie Hamilton, El Paso-Gridley

The senior was a girls state runner-up at 145 pounds, falling by decision. Hamilton finished the season by going 6-1.

Bailey Herr, Putnam County

Herr made a run to the girls state wrestleback quarterfinals, finishing 1-2 at 170 pounds. The junior's record was 17-19.

Josh Hoffer, Washington

Washington's Josh Hoffer, right, puts a hold on Peoria High's Malachi Washington in the 195-pound match of the Class 2A wrestling regional Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at Washington Community High School. Hoffer took the win 7-2.
Washington's Josh Hoffer, right, puts a hold on Peoria High's Malachi Washington in the 195-pound match of the Class 2A wrestling regional Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at Washington Community High School. Hoffer took the win 7-2.

Hoffer was the sixth-place finisher in the 2A 195-pound boys state bracket. The sophomore finished 32-21 last season and was named to the Chuck Murdoch all-area team.

Zane Hulet, Washington

Hulet made his way to the 2A 160-pound boys semifinals, taking fourth place after a major decision. The senior went 29-12 and was a Chuck Murdoch all-area selection.

Keygan Jennings, Farmington

Carlyle's Tyson Waughtel, top, and Farmington's Keygan Jennings battle it out in the 113-pound match of the Class 1A state wrestling tournament Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Champaign.
Carlyle's Tyson Waughtel, top, and Farmington's Keygan Jennings battle it out in the 113-pound match of the Class 1A state wrestling tournament Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Champaign.

The senior is back looking for an elusive state championship, following a 1A boys state runner-up finish at 113 points last season. Jennings finished 35-2 and was a Chuck Murdoch all-area honoree.

Jaida Johnson, Richwoods

Johnson was a state qualifier at 170 pounds, going 1-2 to make the wrestlebacks quarterfinals at the girls state meet. The senior finished 27-6.

Bailey Lusch, East Peoria

The junior aims to build off last season's 105-pound, sixth-place finish at the girls state meet. Her record was 15-7.

Mason Mark, Tremont

Mark lost in the second round of wrestlebacks of the 1A 132-pound boys state meet. He finished 44-8 as a junior and earned Chuck Murdoch all-area team honors.

Wyatt Medlin, Washington

Washington's Wyatt Medlin, top, grapples with Metamora's Connor Graham in the 126-pound match of the Class 2A wrestling regional Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at Washington Community High School. Medlin won the match with a 17-2 technical fall.
Washington's Wyatt Medlin, top, grapples with Metamora's Connor Graham in the 126-pound match of the Class 2A wrestling regional Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at Washington Community High School. Medlin won the match with a 17-2 technical fall.

The sophomore came on strong in his first varsity season, finishing third place in the 2A boys 126-pound class. He went 25-5 and was a member of the Chuck Murdoch all-area team.

Isabella Motteler, Richwoods

Richwoods sophomore Isabella Motteler looks to her coach for advice while grappling with an opponent during a tournament Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 at Richwoods High School.
Richwoods sophomore Isabella Motteler looks to her coach for advice while grappling with an opponent during a tournament Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 at Richwoods High School.

Motteler made a run to the 120-pound quarterfinal wrestlebacks at the girls state meet, going 2-1. The junior finished last season with a 33-8 record.

Nick Mueller, Dunlap

The senior is back looking to win a 2A 160-pound boys state title. He was the state runner-up last season, boasting a 43-8 record. He was named Chuck Murdoch all-area.

Ian O'Connor, Illini Bluffs

The senior has a chance to build off last season's 1A 132-pound boys state appearance. O'Connor finished with a 45-9 record, making the second-round of wrestlebacks and made the Chuck Murdoch all-area team.

Hunter Robbins, Illini Bluffs

Robbins was last season's 1A 106-pound boys state runner-up, losing by a fall in the title match. The senior finished 34-2 last season, earning Chuck Murdoch all-area team honors.

Gauge Shipp, Galesburg

Galesburg's Gauge Shipp takes the victory over Joliet Catholic's Jake Hamiti in the 138-pound title match of the Class 2A state wrestling tournament Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Champaign. Shipp won with a 15-0 technical fall.
Galesburg's Gauge Shipp takes the victory over Joliet Catholic's Jake Hamiti in the 138-pound title match of the Class 2A state wrestling tournament Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Champaign. Shipp won with a 15-0 technical fall.

Shipp enters his senior season coming off an undefeated 2A boys state championship season. His 138-pound title capped a 50-0 record, earning a tech fall victory in the title match. One of two returning Journal Star all-area wrestlers.

Kinnley Smith, Canton

Smith was the first-ever girls wrestler state medalist, finishing as a state runner-up at 135 pounds. The junior went 24-5 and is one of two returning Journal Star all-area wrestlers.

Maddux Steele, Canton

Steele was fifth in the 106-pound weight class at the 1A boys state meet. The sophomore, who went 43-10 in his first varsity season, is the last of three members in last season's 106-pound weight class.

Noah Woods, Washington

Washington's Noah Woods, top, and Morton's Caleb Lenning battle it out in the 113-pound match of the Class 2A wrestling regional Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at Washington Community High School. Woods won 22-8.
Washington's Noah Woods, top, and Morton's Caleb Lenning battle it out in the 113-pound match of the Class 2A wrestling regional Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at Washington Community High School. Woods won 22-8.

Woods made it to the 2A 113-pound second round of wrestlebacks at the boys state meet. The sophomore went 34-16 and was a Chuck Murdoch all-area team member.

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 2023 IHSA wrestling preview: Top high school athletes around Peoria