Parker Keckeisen Named USA Wrestling Athlete Of The Week Presented By Air Force Special Warfare

Parker Keckeisen (Glendale, Wis./Panther Wrestling Club RTC) has been named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by Air Force Special Warfare, on February 11, 2026.

Taking part in his first international tour for Team USA, Keckeisen won the gold medal at the Zagreb Open in Croatia this past weekend. In the 86 kg division at United World Wrestling’s first Ranking Series event of the year, he finished a perfect 4-0.

Of his four victories, Keckeisen collected a 4-3 victory in the final over 2024 Olympian and World silver medalist Vladimeri Gamkrelidze of Georgia. Before securing the gold, the Glendale, Wis., resident upended age-group World medalist Ali Savadkouhi from Iran in the semifinals, 9-5.

Keckeisen did not have to go the full six minutes in his first two matches in Zagreb.  He started the day with an 11-0 technical fall against India’s Mukul Dahiya, who finished fifth at the 2025 World Championships. In his second match of the day, he pinned Sierra Leone’s Gabriel McDuffie 1:04 into the bout.

Last fall, Keckeisen made his debut on the international circuit with a silver medal at the Bill Farrell Memorial International in New York City.

To finish off 2025, Keckeisen – who won the 2024 NCAA National Championship at 184 pounds – took down reigning World champion Zahid Valencia, 10-2, at RAF 04.

Keckeisen is currently slated to headline RAF 07 against two-time Olympic bronze medalist and four-time World champion Kyle Dake on March 28 in Tampa, Fla.

To nominate a wrestler for this honor, please email the athlete’s name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments and career accolades to communications@usawrestling.org.