Look, if you've been around Illinois wrestling for any amount of time, you know the deal with freshmen. Most of them show up at 106, 113, maybe 120 if they've had a growth spurt. That's just how it works when you're 14 (or just turning 15) and still waiting for your body to catch up to your skills.
But every once in a while? You get a freshman class that makes you sit up and pay attention. And folks, I think we might be looking at one of those years.
I've been digging through early season results and watching tape when I can find it (shoutout to the parents who actually upload matches to YouTube, you're doing the Lord's work). What I'm seeing has me genuinely excited. So let's break this down weight by weight, and I'll try to give you a sense of who's already making noise and who might be sneaking up on people by February.
106 Pounds
This is usually freshman territory, right? Always has been. But even knowing that, the depth at 106 this year is pretty wild.
3A
Noe Hernandez from Lockport has already racked up some quality wins, including a 10-9 decision against Christian Corcoran, who is a top 5 ranked 113-pounder. Beating a heavier, highly-ranked wrestler in a close match? That's the kind of win that tells you a freshman can compete. Stefan Vihrov (Stevenson) and Julian Medina (Bolingbrook) are two more 3A freshmen worth keeping an eye on.
2A
Dominic Demarco out of Grayslake Central already has a signature win on his resume. He beat #2 ranked Michael Bird in a tight 10-8 decision. That's not a fluke. Cody Weidner (Civic Memorial) and Jake Pechter (Deerfield) round out the 2A freshmen to watch at this weight.
1A
The 1A group at 106 might be the deepest freshman class of the bunch. Isaac Showalter (Farmington) and Connor Collins (Olympia) are currently ranked #2 and #3 on our StateBound high school rankings for 1A. That's not "good for freshmen." That's just good. Bentley Fields (GCMSF) and Ryder Gil (Coal City) are also in the mix and capable of making runs.
113 Pounds
Still within that traditional "freshman zone," but 113 tends to have a few more upperclassmen mixed in. The freshmen who stand out here have to be a little more complete.
3A
Colton Shultz from Joliet Catholic. Write that name down. He's already got two huge wins this season: a 3-1 decision over 3A #2 Preston Morrison and a 4-3 win against 2A #2 Hogan Rice. Those aren't just good wins. Those are statement wins. Dunamis Philip (Palatine) is another 3A freshman to watch.
2A
The 2A group at 113 is stacked with freshmen. Hogan Rice (Marian Central), Liam Schroeder (Sycamore), and Logan Aarseth (Crystal Lake South) are ranked #3, #6, and #7 respectively in the 113 2A rankings. Could all three make All-American status? It's possible. The bigger question: can any of them challenge 113 2A favorite Drew Murante? Jayme Cohen (Deerfield) is also in this group and shouldn't be overlooked.
1A
Drevan Bramlett (Murphysboro) and Boston Morford (Mercer County) both find themselves in the top 10 of the 1A rankings at 113. Phoenix Senodinos (Yorkville Christian) rounds out the 1A freshmen at this weight.
120 Pounds
This is usually the last weight where you see a bunch of freshmen competing at a high level. After this, the upperclassmen start to take over.
3A
120 in 3A is stacked, and there are two Brodys in the top 10. Brody Koselke (Chicago Mt. Carmel) sits at #6, while Brody Page (Marmion) is #8. Koselke has an impressive 10-1 major decision against 126-pounder Max Mandac, which shows he can handle bigger competition. Finn McDermott (Joliet Catholic) is another 3A freshman at this weight.
2A
Griffen Heeney out of Providence has a 6-4 win over the top ranked 120 2A wrestler Kannon Judycki. Let me say that again: he beat the #1 guy. Heeney has a legitimate shot at winning 120 at 2A. He's been impressive all year. Dalton St Angelo (Mt. Vernon) is also competing at this weight.
1A
Wesley Janick from Marquette Academy has been consistent all year, stacking wins (31 at last count). His only two losses came against top 10 opponents. Otherwise? He's been taking care of business.
126 Pounds
Here's where things start to thin out. At 126, you're running into a lot more juniors and seniors who've been putting in the work for years.
3A
Vincent Miceli from Brother Rice is the lone 3A freshman on our radar at 126.
2A
Rylan Poeta from Champaign Central is our 2A freshman at this weight.
1A
Obadiah Wilis (Hope Academy) and Eli Modglin (Morrison) are two very strong 1A wrestlers. This weight class in 1A has a dominant Preston Waughtel at the top, but these two will matchup well against anyone else at 126 in 1A.
132 Pounds and Up: Here's Where It Gets Special
Okay, I need to stop here for a second. Because everything I'm about to tell you? These are the kids who genuinely impress me.
Here's the thing about wrestling at 132 and above as a freshman: you're not just going up against better wrestlers. You're going up against bigger wrestlers. Stronger. More physically mature. Kids who've been lifting seriously for two or three years. The freshmen who compete at these weights and hold their own? They're a different breed.
132 Pounds
Wyatt Franckowiak (Richmond-Burton, 1A) and Te'jon Beals (Marist, 3A) both have promising futures in IHSA. But let's be real: 132 is absolutely stacked. All-American status would be considered a huge achievement if either of them can reach it.
138 Pounds
138 might be the most interesting weight class for freshmen this year. These are some of the most intriguing freshmen in the state.
Let's start with IKWF champ Axel Rodriguez (Marist, 3A). Axel is one of the craftiest wrestlers we've seen in a while. He seems to always be in good position and has an enormous set of tricks up his sleeve. He's clearly overpowered in some matches (as a freshman going up against upperclassmen), but with his skill, he's been able to win some impressive matches, including three wins against Shane Stream and a win against Jack Hogan.
Next, we have Jack Hanrahan (IC Catholic, 2A). Hanrahan is a dangerous wrestler. Where Axel wins via finesse, Hanrahan is a pinning machine. Whatever you do, don't let him get top. That might be his most dominating position, usually ending in a fall.
Mitchell Aukes (Marengo, 1A) is also competing at 138 and worth watching.
144 Pounds
Greg Harkey (Civic Memorial, 2A) is ranked #7 at 2A 144 and has a great chance to All-American. His only losses this year seem to be close decisions or to elite out-of-state competition.
Max Christensen (Coal City, 1A) is also competing at this weight.
150 Pounds
Brendan Nardin (Marian Central, 2A). A freshman. At 150. Let that sink in.
Brendan, a 2024 IKWF senior champion, has just started getting varsity matches for Marian Central. However, he is considered one of the top freshman prospects and has already dominated his early matches. Expect him to make noise at 150 2A this year. He's the only freshman on our entire list at this weight across all three classes.
157 & 165 Pounds
Nobody. Zip. Zero.
And honestly? That's expected. These are prime upperclassman weights.
175 Pounds
Our second most intriguing weight for freshmen is 175.
Otis Davis (Brother Rice, 3A), the 2025 IKWF 154-pound champ, looks to continue his success at the high school level. Unfortunately, 175 is always tough for freshmen because of the sheer size and strength at this weight class. However, both Davis and Ameer Khalil (Providence, 2A) have had great years so far. In their only match this year, Otis had a fall against Ameer. However, Ameer might do better at state because 3A is deeper at this weight class.
190 Pounds
Nobody here. Which, again, is expected.
215 Pounds
Finally, it's worth recognizing Wade Rees (Pinckneyville, 3A). He's our only freshman currently ranked in the top 10 for any class (1A, 2A, 3A) at any weight higher than 175.
You stand alone, my friend.
285 Pounds
Nothing here. Heavyweight as a freshman is basically mythical creature territory.
Final Thoughts
Look, this list will change. That's the nature of high school wrestling. Some of these kids will get injured. Some will have growth spurts that force them up a weight or two. Some will hit a wall in February when the competition gets real.
But some of them? Some of them are going to show up in Champaign and shock people.
What excites me most is the depth at the lower weights, especially 106, 113, and 120 across all three classes, combined with those handful of truly special freshmen competing at 132 and above. Kids like Axel Rodriguez, Jack Hanrahan, Brendan Nardin, and Otis Davis aren't just "good for freshmen." They're good, period.
Keep an eye on these names. Print this list out if you want. Because in three years, when some of these kids are standing on the top step of the podium as seniors, you'll be able to say you watched them from the beginning.
We'll update this list as the season goes on. If we missed someone (and we probably did), hit us up. We're always watching.
Let's go.