The University of Michigan wrestling team, ranked No. 15 nationally and holding a 4-2 record, will travel to Las Vegas this weekend for the 44th annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. The event is scheduled for December 5-6 at the Westgate Hotel Paradise Event Center, with matches starting at 9 a.m. PST on Friday and 10 a.m. PST on Saturday. The championship round is set for 3 p.m. PST, and all matches will be streamed live on FloWrestling.
This year’s tournament features a field of 32 teams, including eight teams ranked in the latest NWCA poll. Among them are No. 3 Iowa State, No. 7 Virginia Tech, and No. 8 South Dakota State.
Michigan has participated in the tournament since its second year in 1983, missing only the inaugural event in 1982. Originally called the Las Vegas Classic, it was renamed in 1993 to honor former Michigan coach Cliff Keen. The tournament was created by Mark Churella Sr., a three-time NCAA champion who served as UNLV head coach and continues to run the event with his sons Mark Jr. and Ryan, both Michigan alumni.
Over the past two decades, Michigan has consistently performed well at the Cliff Keen Invitational, finishing in the top ten in 19 of its last 22 appearances and securing four first-place finishes between 2001 and 2007. Last season, Michigan placed seventh with five wrestlers earning spots on the podium; Jacob Cardenas won the title at 197 pounds.
In recent years, Michigan has produced at least one individual champion in six of the last seven tournaments. Notable champions include Mason Parris (heavyweight titles in 2019 and 2022), Dylan Ragusin (133 pounds in 2021), Myles Amine (174 pounds in 2018), Alec Pantaleo (157 pounds in 2017), Adam Coon (heavyweight titles in both his freshman year of 2013 and again in 2017), and Logan Massa (165 pounds as a freshman in 2016).
Currently, nine Michigan wrestlers are nationally ranked at their respective weight classes according to InterMat rankings: Dylan Ragusin (No. 6 at 141), Lachlan McNeil (No. 3 at 149), Beau Mantanona (No.13 at174), Brock Mantanona (No.7 at184), and Taye Ghadiali (No.5 heavyweight) are among those listed.
Redshirt freshman Cameron Catrabone holds a record of four wins and two losses at157pounds with two victories over ranked opponents; he recently moved up to No.25 after notable performances against Columbia’s Charles Scanlan and Virginia’s Colton Washleski.He was named Big Ten Freshman Wrestler of the Week following these results.
Brock Mantanona remains ranked seventh nationally at184pounds after recent wins over Columbia’s Aaron Ayzerov and Virginia’s Griffin Gammell.His season record stands at five wins with only one loss coming against Missouri’s Aeoden Sinclair,the current national No .2 .
Graduate student heavyweight Taye Ghadiali has posted five wins—all by bonus points—this season.Two of these were against ranked competitors from Arizona State and Missouri.Last weekend,Ghadiali defeated Columbia’s Vincent Mueller before pinning Virginia’s Brennan Morgan.
Graduate students Lachlan McNeil and Diego Sotelo each have five wins this season.McNeil closed out competition at National Duals with an overtime win against Missouri’s Josh Edmond.Sotelo recently earned an11-5decision over Virginia’s Keyveon Roller.
In their recent dual meet victory over Virginia,Michigan recorded four pins—the most falls they have had since achieving five against Sacred Heart in2015.McNeil,Catrabone ,Beau Mantanona,and Ghadiali each contributed first-period falls.
Six wrestlers made their starting lineup debuts this season.All six secured victories during Michigan’s dual opener against VMI.Freshmen Gauge Botero,Eren Sement,and redshirt freshman Hayden Walters joined graduate transfers Sotelo ,McNeil,and Ghadiali as new starters.Walters made his varsity debut after recovering from injury-related redshirts.
Dylan Ragusin will not compete this weekend as he continues recovery from an injury suffered during last year’s Cliff Keen Invitational.Ragusin,a four-time NCAA qualifier,is expected to return later this season having moved up to141pounds.Junior Sergio Lemley plans to redshirt this year but will compete unattached at149pounds.