ANN ARBOR, Mich. — University of Michigan graduate students Lachlan McNeil and Taye Ghadiali will continue their wrestling with the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club, the club announced Thursday (May 21). Both Wolverines, who completed their collegiate careers early this spring, will compete freestyle internationally at 65kg and 125kg, respectively.
“Lachlan is the type of athlete and person you want to keep in your program,” said Michigan head coach Sean Bormet. “He’s already had great success at the NCAA level and has valuable international experience, but what excites us most is his drive to keep improving. He brings passion, professionalism and a tremendous work ethic into the room every day.
“Taye has earned everything through toughness, consistency and an unbelievable work ethic. He’s the kind of person who makes a program stronger because of the energy, humility, and competitiveness he brings every day. We believe his best wrestling is still ahead of him, and that’s exciting for all of us. I also think there’s something special about Taye continuing to chase his world and Olympic goals here in his home state, surrounded by a community that has believed in him from the beginning.”
“I am very excited to have Lachlan and Taye joining the CKWC,” said Cliff Keen WC head coach Alex Dieringer. “Both are true professionals who will relentlessly build to reach their goals, and the work ethic they bring will lift up everyone around them. I look forward to seeing the growth in pursuit of their Olympic dreams.”
McNeil completed his collegiate career as a four-time All-American, placing third (2026), fifth (2025), sixth (2024) and fourth (2023) at 141 and 149 pounds. He compiled a 104-32 career record, including a 22-7 mark this past season at Michigan
A native of Toronto, McNeil has represented Canada at cadet, junior and senior-level freestyle at six World Championships, dating back to 2016. He claimed 65kg silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and is a three-time Pan American champion, twice winning at cadets before claiming the 65kg junior title in 2021. More recently, he placed fifth at the Hungary UWW Ranking Series Tournament in 2023 and finished one win shy of qualifying for the Paris Olympics at last year’s Pan Am Qualifier.
Ghadiali posted a team-best 28-3 record this past season with 17 bonus wins, ranking among the national leaders with 10 technical falls. He went 131-31 over his collegiate career and was a two-time NCAA All-American, taking third place this year after placing eighth at the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
He also captured the 2026 Big Ten heavyweight title and was previously named the 2024 SoCon Wrestler of the Year after capturing his three straight conference heavyweight crowns while at Campbell. A native of Warren, Mich., Ghadiali also serves a coach with Beat the Streets Detroit.
