Daily Chronicle 2024 boys wrestling preview: 5 to watch

Sean Kolkebeck (38-14 last season, 171 pounds), DeKalb, sr.

As one of 10 starters who return and one of three who qualified for state a season ago, Kolkebeck and the Barbs are in great position as they begin the new season. Kolkebeck just got done playing golf for the Barbs. Last fall he played soccer. Although he’s certainly a multisport talent, there’s little doubt that wrestling is where he’s most dominant.

Prairie Ridge’s Milkey Meade tries to control Kaneland’s Alex Gochis during the 126-pound championship match of a the IHSA 2A Crystal Lake Central Wrestling Regional on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at Crystal Lake Central High School. — Prairie Ridge’s Milkey Meade tries to control Kaneland’s Alex Gochis during the 126-pound championship match of a the IHSA 2A Crystal Lake Central Wrestling Regional last season at Crystal Lake Central High School. (Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver )

Alex Gochis (43-7, 126), Kaneland, sr.

Gochis narrowly missed qualifying for state last winter and is back as the Knights’ top wrestler. Getting to state would be an awesome accomplishment, especially after his sister Angelina became the school’s first girls wrestling state champion at 105 pounds last year.

Sycamore’s Jayden Dohogne works to pin Glenbard West’s Cody Bochenski in their 138 pound match Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, during the Don Flavin Invitational wrestling tournament at DeKalb High School. Dohogne won the match with a fall at 5:02. — Sycamore’s Jayden Dohogne works to pin Glenbard West’s Cody Bochenski in their 138 pound match last year during the Don Flavin Invitational wrestling tournament at DeKalb High School. Dohogne won the match with a fall at 5:02. (Mark Busch)

Jayden Dohogne (30-18, 137), Sycamore, so.

Sycamore has at least five freshmen who will be looking to contribute at the varsity level. Dohogne was in their shoes last season, winning 30 bouts and advancing to state. What can he do now with a year of high school experience, and how can he help out his freshman teammates?

Hudson Ikens of DeKalb wrestles, left, against Frank Nitti of York High School during the 138 weight class during the last day of the Flavin invite held at DeKalb High School. (David Toney for Shaw Local/David Toney)

Hudson Ikens (34-14, 157), DeKalb, sr.

Another year meant another 12 months to get bigger, better and stronger. Ikens has done that and is looking to advance to state again. Ikens placed third at the ILUSAW Greco-Roman State Juniors in April.

EJ Kennedy (0-0), Genoa-Kingston, fr.

Although he hasn’t wrestled yet in high school, Kennedy is a big boy and has proved he can compete at a high level. He is the first state medalist in wrestling from Genoa-Kingston Middle School, taking fourth place last year at 275.