11/1/2026 5:11:00 PM | Wrestling
» No. 14 Michigan blanked VMI, 50-0, in its season opener with bonus points in all 10 bouts; it tied U-M's program record for most points scored in a dual.
» Henry Aslikyan, Moses Mendoza, Kellen Wolbert and Niko Sahakian all won in their collegiate debuts; Josh Knudten also claimed his first career dual win.
» The Wolverines earned three pins (Aslikyan, Mendoza and Cameron Catrabone), four technical falls and three major decisions.
LEXINGTON, Va. -- The No. 14-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team earned bonus points in all 10 bouts, including three pins, to cruise to a dominant 50-0 win in its season opener at VMI on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 1) at the Keydets' Cormack Hall. U-M tied its program records for most points in a dual and largest margin of victory.
The Wolverines also earned wins from all four freshmen making their collegiate debuts in the opener, highlighted by back-to-back pins from Henry Aslikyan and Moses Mendoza to open the dual at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively.
Aslikyan scored four first-period takedowns against Malachi Ortiz, going feet to back on the final one to secure the fall at 2:55. Mendoza also scored four takedowns after shaking off an early score from the Keydets' Cody Tanner, finishing on three in the first period, plus a two-point tilt before locking up a cradle off a go-behind score in the second for the pin at 4:45 -- like Aslikyan, just beating the period buzzer.
Kellen Wolbert earned an 11-3 major decision against Phoenix Alyea at 141 pounds -- as Michigan opened the dual with three straight true freshmen -- with two takedowns in the first period and a big double leg in the second.
Michigan earned technical falls from Sergio Lemley and Justin Gates at 149 and 157 pounds, respectively. Lemley, ranked 10th in the latest InterMat poll, scored six takedowns -- largely a combination of single legs and go behinds -- to secure a 19-4 win in 5:27 over EJ Sheeran. Gates, who dropped back down to 157 pounds this year, rolled to a 20-3 tech fall against Merritt Clinton with five takedowns and four back points; he transitioned a single to two near-fall points to end the bout at the 6:04 mark.
Cameron Catrabone, ranked eighth nationally, picked up a first-period pin in his 165-pound debut, using a half and a bar for a four-point near fall then the pin against JT Bowers at 1:28. Catrabone shared the team pin lead last season. Josh Knudten earned his first collegiate dual win with a 15-4 major decision against Beau Lewis at 174 pounds, scoring three takedowns -- one per period -- and adding a two-point leg turk in the third.
Brock Mantanona and Hayden Walters also posted back-to-back tech falls at 184 and 197 pounds. Mantanona, ranked fifth, rolled to a 19-4 win against Gideon Gerber with five takedowns and four near-fall points -- off his first takedown, a feet-to-back single leg -- in just 2:38. Walters finished on three takedowns -- one in each frame -- and added a four-point cradle in the second en route to a 15-0 shutout against Toby Schoffstall.
Niko Sahakian closed out the dual with a 12-1 major decision against Braxton Lewis in his collegiate debut at heavyweight. He also scored a takedown per period, including a lateral drop in the first period.
The Wolverines (1-0) will send a full squad to the Michigan State Open next Saturday (Nov. 7), slated for a 9:30 a.m. start at the Spartans' Jenison Field House. U-M's next dual meet is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13, when U-M hosts Columbia at 7 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena. Tickets for the home opener are available through the U-M Ticket Office.
No. 14 Michigan 50, VMI 0
Individual rankings by InterMat
125 -- Henry Aslikyan (U-M) pinned Malachi Ortiz, 2:55 -- U-M, 6-0
133 -- Moses Mendoza (U-M) pinned Cody Tanner, 4:45 -- U-M, 12-0
141 -- Kellen Wolbert (U-M) major dec. Phoenix Alyea, 11-3 -- U-M, 16-0
149 -- #10 Sergio Lemley (U-M) tech. fall EJ Sheeran, 19-4 (5:27) -- U-M, 21-0
157 -- Justin Gates (U-M) tech. fall Merritt Clinton, 20-3 (6:04) -- U-M, 26-0
165 -- #8 Cameron Catrabone (U-M) pinned JT Bowers, 1:28 -- U-M, 32-0
174 -- Josh Knudten (U-M) major dec. Beau Lewis, 15-4 -- U-M, 36-0
184 -- #5 Brock Mantanona (U-M) tech. fall Gideon Gerber, 19-4 (2:38) -- U-M, 41-0
197 -- Hayden Walters (U-M) tech. fall Toby Schoffstall, 15-0 (5:56) -- U-M, 46-0
Hwt -- Niko Sahakian (U-M) major dec. Braxton Lewis, 12-1 -- U-M, 50-0
