A new film featuring Missouri star Keegan O'Toole is being released on Tuesday, March 14. “Funky 2.0: Keegan Levels Up” examines O’Toole’s upbringing, training at Askren Wrestling Academy, and his memorable run at the 2022 NCAA Championships. 

O’Toole grew up in Wisconsin and found wrestling at a young age. His dad drove him an hour each way to train at a Chicago-based club during his formative years. The club's philosophy placed a strong emphasis on winning.

That can work for some, but O’Toole gradually felt the pressures of performance over fun. His desire to stay committed to unrealistic expectations weighed heavily as he contemplated quitting the sport. 

Then he found Ben and Max Askren — NCAA champions from the University of Missouri who created a club in their home state of Wisconsin. 

For the first time in his life, O’Toole found an environment where he could shine. The club’s focus, above all else, is allowing kids to fall in love with wrestling. 

O’Toole fell in love with and enjoyed the sport, but he still needed to make a breakthrough. He continued losing crucial matches at crucial times. An impactful conversation with Ben Askren after two losses at the U17 World Team Trials changed the direction of his life. 

The Wisconsin native started believing in himself and the high-level results followed. O’Toole was lightly recruited out of high school and eventually attended the University of Missouri — the same school where the Askren brothers became stars. 

Although he struggled on and off the mat during his true freshman year, O’Toole persevered and placed third at the 2021 NCAA Championships followed by a title in the loaded 165-pound class in 2022. 

Winning the title wasn’t without adversity, though. O’Toole injured his ankle in the second round and had to battle through the subsequent three matches. 

Be sure to watch “Funky 2.0: Keegan Levels Up” to learn how Keegan O’Toole transformed into a college wrestling star.