Ragusin, Lewan Capture Freestyle Titles at US Junior/U23 Nationals

OMAHA, Neb. -- University of Michigan freshman Dylan Ragusin and junior/sophomore Will Lewan captured freestyle titles at 57kg/125 pounds and 70kg/154 pounds, respectively, at USA Wrestling's Junior and U23 National Championships on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 15) at CHI Health Center.

Ragusin, who reached the finals at Senior Nationals last month, defeated Columbia's Angelo Rini, 13-10, in a barn-burner 57kg junior championship bout. He trailed by four points in the first after giving up a takedown and pair of guts but responded with seven straight points, including a takedown and gut of his own, to close out the first period. They posted four points apiece in the second, with Ragusin scoring on a fireman's carry and two stepouts to preserve his three-point lead. The Wolverine freshman went 6-0 over the weekend, outscoring his opposition by a 58-13 margin.

Lewan was dominant all weekend en route to the U23 crown at 70kg, posting a 5-0 record and outscoring his opposition, 39-4. He did not allow a point until his 5-4 decision against Iowa All-American Kaleb Young in the championship match -- a reversal of Young's win in last season's dual meeting between the two. Lewan, a former cadet freestyle world champion, rallied back from an initial deficit, catching Young off balance for an exposure early in the second before adding a stepout and a go-behind takedown late to ice it.

Ragusin and Lewan represented the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club, U-M's Regional Training Center, at the freestyle competition. The CKWC boasted an additional U23 national champion in former Maryland All-American Youssif Hemida, who rallied to earn an 8-7 win against Iowa's Anthony Cassioppi in the 125kg/275-pound final.

The Wolverine duo also represent the third and fourth USA Wrestling national champions for Michigan this fall. Sixth-year senior Logan Massa and junior Mason Parris captured the 74kg/163-pound and 125kg/275-pound senior freestyle titles last month.

CKWC earned seven total placewinners; freshman Fidel Mayora claimed fourth at junior 70kg; freshman Chris Kim and senior/junior Drew Mattin took seventh in junior and U23 61kg/134 pounds, respectively; sophomore/freshman Blake Querio also claimed seventh at junior 125kg; and senior/junior Andrew Davison placed eighth at 92kg/202 pounds. Incoming Wolverine Chance Lamer, who signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday (Nov. 11), placed seventh in the 57kg junior division.