Graduate students Lachlan McNeil and Taye Ghadiali from the University of Michigan wrestling team have been chosen to compete in the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s 57th All-Star Classic. The event will take place on Sunday, November 1, at Rutgers’ Jersey Mike’s Arena.
The NWCA All-Star Classic is set to feature ten Division I folkstyle matches, four women’s freestyle matches across divisions, and a match between Division II and Division III men’s wrestlers.
McNeil, ranked third nationally at 149 pounds by FloWrestling, is scheduled to compete against Oklahoma State’s Casey Swiderski, who holds the fifth spot in the rankings. McNeil previously earned three All-American honors while wrestling for North Carolina before joining Michigan. Last season he finished fifth at 149 pounds in Philadelphia and recorded an overall career record of 83-24 at UNC, including a 25-7 mark last year.
Ghadiali is ranked fourth among heavyweights nationwide and will face Iowa State’s Yonger Bastida, who is ranked third. Ghadiali was named the Southern Conference Wrestler of the Year in 2024 after placing eighth at that year’s NCAA Championships. He won three SoCon titles during his time with Campbell University and compiled a record of 102-28, including a 36-6 performance last season with 62 bonus wins and 29 falls. Last fall, he secured an All-Star Classic victory over Ohio State’s Nick Feldman before sustaining a season-ending injury in January.
Both athletes are the latest representatives from Michigan to be selected for the NWCA All-Star event since Will Lewan participated in 2022.
The Michigan Wolverines are set to begin their upcoming season at the Michigan State Open on Saturday, November 8. They will then host VMI for their first dual meet of the season on Sunday, November 9. Additional information about tickets can be found on the wrestling ticket information page.
For more details about the full lineup for this event, see FloWrestling Release (Full All-Star Lineup).