Parker Keckeisen’s mission in wrestling: ‘Perfect something that is impossible to be perfected’

Parker Keckeisen recalled a fond memory as a boy.

He woke up early one morning only to find his dad, James, already up and preparing to go to work at the family’s print shop. His parents ran the business with James doing most of the labor, while his mom, Lynne, primarily handled bookkeeping duties.

A young Parker, decked out in a favorite superhero shirt, couldn’t have realized the impact that moment would have on him as a person.

“One of my coolest memories of my dad,” Keckeisen said. “I remember being in a Spider-Man shirt. He was getting ready at 5 a.m. to go to work. The way my mom and dad show up and do the work has been instilled in me. I definitely credit that to my parents.”

Keckeisen has applied that work ethic to his wrestling career. His dedication and relentless pursuit of his best has elevated Northern Iowa’s three-time All-American to the top of college wrestling’s 184-pound weight class. Keckeisen is the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., beginning Thursday at 11 a.m.

Keckeisen (26-0) opens against the winner between Long Island’s No. 32 Anthony D’Alesio and Appalachian State’s No. 33 Tomas Brooker.

“I’d say I feel pretty good,” said Keckeisen, who placed third his first two appearances and was runner-up last year. “Not trying to change much. Try to keep it simple. I’ve been there before. I know what the environment is going to feel like. (UNI assistant) Randy (Pugh) said to us before the Big 12s the guy that changes the least usually does the best. That’s what I’m going to try to do. Get to my offense and worry about what I do.”

Parker Keckeisen has been an offensive dynamo

Success isn’t just about punching in but the time spent on the clock. Keckeisen’s 26-0 record and his dominance against nearly everyone he’s faced is a direct result.

“If you saw what he’s done every day, and I know I’ve talked about it a lot, you wouldn’t be surprised that is the case,” UNI Coach Doug Schwab said. “I think he’s really enjoying competing. He’s having fun. I think when you have fun in the process it allows you to open up a little bit more and he wants to score bonus points.”

Keckeisen has been an offensive dynamo this season. He has tallied 23 bonus-point victories — 11 major decisions, 10 technical falls and two pins. In the matches that didn’t end with a fall, Keckeisen has averaged more than 15 1/2 points per win. He outscored his conference foes, 46-12, becoming UNI’s first four-time Big 12 champion with a 14-5 major over Oklahoma State’s No. 2 Dustin Plott and reaching 100 career wins.

Constant attacks and continuous pressure highlight Keckeisen’s brand of wrestling. He maintains a pace that wilts opponents late in matches, especially on their feet. Schwab said Keckeisen can finish shots as well, if not better, than anybody in the country.

“He’s put a ton of time into it,” Schwab said. “I think he’s just enjoying the process.”

Keckeisen has pulled away from his peers, though he would never say it that way. The effort behind the scenes makes his victories seem effortless.

“I’m just trying to control what I can, do whatever I can each day and surrender the outcome to God,” Keckeisen said. “You can lose any match out there. You can’t just try to win. You’ve got to get to your positions and where you want to be.

“I love learning. I love growing. In wrestling, you’re never going to reach completion. There are always going to be places to get better. The intriguing thing about this sport, and what I love about it, is there is always room for growth. So, that’s all I’m trying to do. Perfect something that is impossible to be perfected.”

Parker Keckeisen is ‘the guy that everyone looks to on this team’

Keckeisen applies the same approach to his wrestling as he does to his academics, his faith and his personal relationships. Each day is another opportunity to learn and develop.

“I would say complacency scares me,” Keckeisen said. “I don’t like it. If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”

Interestingly, Keckeisen said he hasn’t always been a fan of competition. He did wrestle in many tournaments when he was younger but liked practice. Keckeisen has fed off an influx of young, fun-loving talent, including freshman qualifiers Ryder Downey (157) and 197-pounder Wyatt Voelker and two-time NCAA qualifier and fellow team captain Cael Happel.

Keckeisen has thrived when he has been looser and more relaxed.

“They make it a whole lot of fun,” Keckeisen said. “Wyatt’s my warm-up, make-weight guy. He’s making jokes. I’m a little bit more serious during pre-match, getting our weight down. They kind of force it out of me to have fun.”

Voelker (17-6) will make his NCAA debut. He said Keckeisen is the unquestionable backbone to the Panthers team.

“Anybody that can ride his coattails. Just trying to mimic what he does is really good,” Voelker said. “I also want to make my own path through him. I think he’s an awesome practice partner. He’s an awesome leader. He’s the guy that everyone looks to on this team. He does everything right.”

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