National high school wrestling: Who are the best of the best at 126 pounds?

If SBLive put on its own wrestling tournament, who would top the podium in each weight class?

Bob Lundeberg | Feb 28, 2023

As the high school wrestling season comes to a close, SBLive put together a fictitious tournament — let’s call it the SBLive Mock Wrestling Invitational — featuring eight of the top wrestlers from across the United States in each weight class.

Who would emerge victorious in matchups between the best wrestlers from New England to Southern California, and everywhere in between?

We started with 106 pounds, then moved to 113, then 120. Now, let's take a look at the top boys wrestlers across the country at 126 pounds:

Dillon Campbell, Legacy Christian (Ohio)

Campbell’s strong junior season includes a third-place finish at the Walsh Ironman. He won his second state title last year without giving up a point at the state tournament.

Ben Davino, St. Charles East (Illinois)

Davino recently won his third Illinois state championship, defeating Marmion senior Jameson Garcia 6-1 in a highly anticipated showdown. Davino, a junior, also picked up a gold medal at the 16U National Championships last summer.

Max Gallagher, Blue Point (New York)

Gallagher is the Division II defending state champion at 126 pounds. The senior has faced tough competition all season and is looking to defend his title.

Mason Gibson, Bishop McCort (Pennsylvania)

Gibson, a junior, is committed to Penn State. He is a two-time gold medalist at the U16 National Championships and a five-time Pennsylvania junior wrestling champion.

Alan Koehler, Prior Lake (Minnesota)

Koehler, who captured state titles as a sophomore and junior, is attempting to become the program’s first three-time champion. He will wrestle in college for Nebraska.

Kael Lauridsen, Bennington (Nebraska)

Lauridsen became the 36th wrestler in state history to win four state titles when he defeated O’Neill’s John Alden in the Class B 126-pound finals earlier this month. Lauridsen will stay home to wrestle for the Cornhuskers in college.

Marc-Anthony McGowan, Blair Academy (New Jersey)

McGowan’s notable accomplishments include a Florida state title as an eighth-grader and a gold medal in 2019 at the World Championships Cadets. The senior will wrestle in college for Princeton.

Ernie Perry III, Airline (Louisiana)

The first four-time state champion in Airline history, Perry III could face McGowan in the Ivy League while wrestling for Cornell. Perry III won each of his state titles in different weight classes. He is the third Division 1 wrestler in state history to win four titles.

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