Graduate student Taye Ghadiali has reached the heavyweight final at the 2025 Big Ten Conference Championships after defeating Penn State’s Cole Mirasola by a 5-2 decision in the semifinals. The University of Michigan wrestling team, competing at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center, stands in seventh place out of 14 teams with 68.5 points after the first day.
Ghadiali, ranked fourth nationally, secured his spot in the championship match with a strong first-period takedown and maintained control throughout much of the bout. He also recorded his second pin of the season earlier in the quarterfinals against Rutgers’ Hunter Catka.
This is Ghadiali’s first appearance at the Big Ten Championships after previously winning three Southern Conference titles while wrestling for Campbell. His season record now stands at 22-2 with 14 bonus-point wins.
Six Wolverines have earned automatic qualification for the NCAA Championships: Diego Sotelo (125 pounds), Lachlan McNeil (149), Cameron Catrabone (157), Beau Mantanona (174), Brock Mantanona (184), and Ghadiali at heavyweight. All but Ghadiali are currently in their respective consolation semifinals.
Lachlan McNeil, ranked sixteenth, lost an 11-10 semifinal to Penn State’s Shayne Van Ness but had advanced earlier with two victories, including a fall against Michigan State’s Clayton Jones. Cameron Catrabone fell to Nebraska’s Antrell Taylor in his semifinal match but collected bonus points with a pin and technical fall in earlier rounds.
Brock Mantanona pushed top-ranked Rocco Welsh of Penn State into overtime before falling 8-5; he remains alive for third place through consolations. Diego Sotelo rebounded from an early loss to secure two consecutive wins over higher-seeded opponents. Beau Mantanona went 3-1 on day one and continues to compete through wrestlebacks.
Four Michigan wrestlers were eliminated on Saturday, though Justin Gates and Hayden Walters remain eligible for NCAA qualification through extra matches outside team scoring.
The championships conclude Sunday with finals set for broadcast on Big Ten Network beginning at noon.
“Six Wolverines earned automatic qualifying bids for the NCAA Championships,” according to event organizers.