ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Cliff Keen Wrestling Club has added Wolverine alum Jacob Cardenas to its freestyle roster, the club announced on Tuesday (May 6). Cardenas is a three-time NCAA All-American and three-time U23 world medalist.
“Jacob has been a terrific addition to our room over the last year,” said CKWC head coach Alex Dieringer. “He was a great leader and teammate among the Michigan team, so we are thrilled that he has decided to stay in Ann Arbor with the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club. He has already demonstrated his freestyle ability and potential on a world stage, and I think he’s only just scratched the surface. I’m excited to see what he can achieve at the senior level.”
“I’m excited to join the CKWC and chase my dreams on becoming a world and Olympic champion,” said Cardenas. “I’m confident in my coaches and teammates here to prepare me to compete at the highest level possible. Let’s go!”
Cardenas, who transferred to Michigan last summer after four years at Cornell, earned three consecutive All-America honors at 197 pounds, twice placing fourth (2024, ’25) after taking eighth as a junior (2023). He captured the Big Ten 197-pound title last season as well as the EIWA 197-pound title the previous year; he is a two-time EIWA finalist and three-time unanimous All-Ivy League honoree.
Cardenas posted a 95-25 career record, including a 24-3 mark for the Wolverines last season. He earned bonus points in 15 matches and was the Wolverines’ leader in dual-meet points (47), Big Ten tournament points (20.5) and NCAA tournament points (13.5). After the season, he was named the Wolverines’ 2024-25 Cliff Keen Award winner as the team’s most outstanding wrestler.
While representing the United States, Cardenas claimed 92kg freestyle medals at each of the last three U23 World Championships, capturing silver in both 2022 and 2024 and bronze in 2023.
