Takedown Report

Wolverines Win Final Two Bouts to Claim Back-and-Forth Battle Against No. 11 Illinois

By: Leah Howard
» No. 12 Michigan claimed six bouts, including three of the final four, to defeat No. 11 Illinois, 18-14, in a dual that featured five lead changes; U-M improved to 3-0 in Big Ten duals.
» Hayden Walters (197 pounds) scored a last-second takedown to earn a 5-1 decision and put Michigan back in front in the penultimate match; Taye Ghadiali (Hwt) then clinched the dual with a 7-4 decision.
» Cameron Catrabone (157) erased a five-point deficit with a reversal and four-point tilt in the final minute of his 8-7 decision against Ryan Bennett.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The No. 13-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team won three of the final four bouts, including the last two, to secure an 18-14 victory over No. 11 Illinois on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 18) at Crisler Center. The dual featured five lead changes as the Wolverines rallied to improve to 3-0 in Big Ten Conference action.
Redshirt freshman Hayden Walters, ranked 20th at 197 pounds, used a last-second takedown to defeat Dylan Connell, 5-1, and put Michigan back in front in the penultimate bout. After a scoreless first period, the wrestlers traded escapes in the second and third, with Walters holding a :58 riding-time advantage entering the final minute. With the score tied 1-1 and :11 remaining following a restart, Connell attempted a half-shot single, but Walters immediately spun behind to secure the decisive takedown and extend his advantage time to 1:03 for the extra point.
Graduate student Taye Ghadiali sealed the Michigan victory in the final bout, earning a 7-4 decision against Ryan Boersma. Ghadiali scored a pair of first-period takedowns before Boersma narrowed the margin with a second-period score. Ghadiali did not surrender another point, improving to 14-2 on the season.
Illinois captured the dual’s first two bouts to build an early 7-0 lead, though freshman Gauge Botero held top-ranked and defending NCAA champion Lucas Byrd to a 7-2 decision at 133 pounds, riding out the third period.Michigan responded with three straight decisions to take its first lead, 9-7, at the intermission break as graduate students Dylan Ragusin and Lachlan McNeil, along with redshirt freshman Cameron Catrabone, each earned wins to improve to 3-0 in Big Ten duals.
Ragusin blanked Kole Brower, 3-0, at 141 pounds, scoring a second-period reversal and riding out the third to accumulate 3:43 in advantage time. McNeil, ranked 13th at 149 pounds, earned a 10-4 decision … more at … https://mgoblue.com/news/2026/1/18/wrestling-wolverines-win-final-two-bouts-to-claim-back-and-forth-battle-against-no-11-illinois

January 24, 2026 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | sports