University of Michigan 2024-25 Season Preview

2023-24 Recap

Michigan had yet another successful NCAA tournament in Kansas City this past season, this time finishing 3rd. Michigan, the Big Ten runner-up, has now finished with a team trophy in two of the last three seasons, and they have captured a top-5 finish in five of the last six seasons. NCAA finalists Austin Gomez and Lucas Davison have graduated, as well as All American Shane Griffith.

Dylan Ragusin had an outstanding individual season at 133lbs, as he was just seconds away from upsetting 5x All American Daton Fix to reach the NCAA finals. Ragusin would settle for a 5th place finish at NCAAs and will be the lone returning All American for the Wolverines (not including incoming grad transfer Jacob Cardenas). One of the biggest highlights of last season was true freshman Sergio Lemley, who picked up wins over 11 ranked opponents in his first campaign at 141lbs. The biggest win came in a 14-2 major decision over then #1 Real Woods of Iowa.

Key Departures

125 - Michael DeAugustino (2024 NCAA Qualifier)
133 - Chris Cannon
149 - Austin Gomez (2024 NCAA 2nd)
165 - Cameron Amine (3x All American)
174 - Shane Griffith (2024 NCAA 3rd)
285 - Lucas Davison (2024 NCAA 2nd)

Michigan sees a big turnover in their lineup this season, with 4 All Americans graduating or transferring out. The most shocking departure is Cameron Amine, a 3x All American for the Wolverines, who will wrestle this season for David Taylor at Oklahoma State. All Americans Gomez, Griffith, and Davison all graduated, while former All American Chris Cannon hit the portal. NCAA qualifier Michael DeAugustino also graduated, leaving the spot open at 125lbs. Cannon missed almost the entire season for Michigan due to injury.

Key Additions

The biggest addition for the Wolverines is Jacob Cardenas, a grad transfer from Cornell. Cardenas is a 2x All American for the Big Red, finishing 4th (2024) and 8th (2023) at the NCAA tournament. Another big transfer comes from in-state rival Michigan State, as Michigan picked up 4x NCAA qualifier Chase Saldate. Saldate's most successful tournament came in 2023, where he reached the blood round.

Michigan also added a fantastic recruiting class, which most notably includes #10 Brock Mantanona (California) and #28 Cam Catrabone (New York). The Wolverines also picked up 2x state champion Justin Gates of Davison, who was #65 on the recruiting big board.

2024-25 Projected Lineup

Michigan will have a lot of depth this season, especially with their deep recruiting class. Chris Kiser (125lbs), Cam Catrabone (141lbs), Brock Mantanona (157lbs), and Hayden Walters (197lbs) are young standouts that provide flexibility in the dual lineup. Zack Mattin also had a solid Junior season last year and will be an option at a few different weights.

Wt - Name (Previous School)
125 - Nolan Wertanen (St. Joseph HS)
133 - Dylan Ragusin (Montini Catholic HS, Illinois)
141 - Sergio Lemley (Mount Carmel HS, Illinois)
149 - Dylan Gilcher (Detroit CC HS)
157 - Chase Saldate (Michigan State)
165 - Beau Mantanona (Palm Desert HS, California)
174 - Joe Walker (Mishawaka HS, Indiana)
184 - Jaden Bullock (Oscar Smith HS, Virginia)
197 - Jacob Cardenas (Cornell)
285 - Ira Jenkins (Whitehall HS)

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