By William Calhoun
The University of Michigan wrestling program welcomed six freshmen to the roster in 2024-25. Now almost two months into the academic year, those newcomers are well-adjusted to life as student-athletes in Ann Arbor. Learn more about the Wolverine newcomers, what they are excited about in the upcoming season, and their interests off the mat.
Chris Kiser | 125 pounds | Ponca City, Okla.
Q. What attracted you to the Michigan wrestling program?
A. The coaches were the biggest factor in my interest in Michigan.
Q. What is your earliest wrestling memory?
A. My earliest wrestling memory is joining my local kids club and wanting to get a picture on the state champ wall.
Q. What are your hobbies outside of wrestling?
A. Outside of wrestling, I'm mostly just into video games and anime. I also play disc golf.
Q. What are you excited about for the upcoming season?
A. Getting better
Q. What is your biggest wrestling accomplishment to date?
A. Going to college for wrestling
Q. How would you describe your wrestling style
A. My style is consistently forward. I just like points.
• Favorite athlete(s) of all time: David Goggins and Kobe Bryant
• A food you think is overrated: Sausage
• Guilty pleasure song: Wait by Maroon 5
• Go-to post-match meal: Uncrustables
• Favorite TV show: Avatar the Last Airbender or Naruto
• Favorite sport other than wrestling: Basketball or football
• Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate
• Superpower I would want: Sharingan
Brock Mantanona | 157/165 pounds | Bermuda Dunes, Calif.
Q. What attracted you to the Michigan wrestling program?
A. I was attracted to the Michigan wrestling program because of the elite coaching staff, incredible team environment and world-class RTC program, which would allow me to train with some of the best wrestlers in the world.
Q. What is your earliest wrestling memory?
A. One of my earliest wrestling memories is getting to practice with my brothers in our garage when I was about 4.
Q. What are your hobbies outside of wrestling?
A. I like to go fishing, play disc golf, and do pretty much anything outdoors.
Q. What are you excited about for the upcoming season?
A. For this upcoming season, I am excited about getting better each and every day and getting to compete against high-level competitors.
Q.M\ What is your biggest wrestling accomplishment to date?
A. My biggest wrestling accomplishment so far was winning a bronze medal (third place) at the U17 World Championships.
Q. How would you describe your wrestling style?
A. My wrestling style is very unorthodox and exciting as it is chaotic but controlled chaos.
• Favorite athlete(s) of all time: Troy Mantanona and Neymar
• A food you think is overrated: Pizza
• Guilty pleasure song:Fallin for You by Colbie Caillat
• Go-to post-match meal: Steak and Rice
• Favorite TV show: Vice Principals
• Favorite sport other than wrestling: Soccer or football
• Favorite ice cream flavor: Mint chip
• Superpower I would want: Super speed
Cameron Catrabone | 149/157 pounds | Buffalo, N.Y.
Q. What attracted you to the Michigan wrestling program?
A. My dad wrestled here, and I've always been a die-hard Michigan man.
Q. What is your earliest wrestling memory?
A. I remember not wanting to ever go to practice when I was young. I'd kick and scream, and someone would have to force me out of the car.
Q. What are your hobbies outside of wrestling?
A. I enjoy watching and following UFC events.
Q. What are you excited about for the upcoming season?
A. I'm excited to develop as a person and wrestler.
Q. What is your biggest wrestling accomplishment to date?
A. My biggest accomplishment is getting to Michigan en route to attacking my future goals.
Q. How would you describe your wrestling style?
A. My wrestling style is very funky and different from most wrestlers. I find ways to score from weird positions, and I love pinning people.
• Favorite athlete(s) of all time: Conor McGregor
• A food you think is overrated: Steak
• Guilty pleasure song: Various songs by Fleetwood Mac
• Go-to post-match meal: Chipotle or pizza
• Favorite TV show: Family Guy
• Favorite sport other than wrestling: Mixed martial arts
• Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookie dough
• Superpower I would want: Mind reading
Justin Gates | 149 pounds | Davison, Mich.
Q. What attracted you to the Michigan wrestling program?
A. The mix of world-class coaches and drill partners who push me to be my best every day is what brought me to the Michigan wrestling program. The unmatched academic opportunities and being close to home helped me have my eyes set on this school from a young age.
Q. What is your earliest wrestling memory?
A. My earliest wrestling memory was when, in my first tournament, after only a couple of months of practice, I had to wrestle a girl in my first-ever match and got pinned immediately.
Q. What are your hobbies outside of wrestling?
A. Whenever I have free time, I prefer to watch some of my favorite YouTubers, play video games, or hang out with my friends or girlfriend.
Q. What are you excited about for the upcoming season?
A. I am incredibly excited about this upcoming season. I can't wait to continue improving my skills and growing as an athlete and person.
Q. What is your biggest wrestling accomplishment to date?
A. My biggest wrestling accomplishment was winning two team state championships in high school. These mean more to me than any personal accomplishment because I was able to share them with some of my best friends.
Q. How would you describe your wrestling style?
A. To describe my wrestling style, I am more of a counter-wrestler who waits for my opponents to make a mistake so I can capitalize off them. I like to wrestle at a high pace to force my opponents into bad positions.
• Favorite athlete(s) of all time: Calvin Johnson
• A food you think is overrated: Spaghetti
• Guilty pleasure song: Firework by Katy Perry
• Go-to post-match meal: Chick-fil-A
• Favorite TV show: Family Guy
• Favorite sport other than wrestling: Football
• Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate moose tracks
• Superpower I would want: Eat as much as I want without gaining weight
Teddy Flores | 125 pounds | Park Ridge, Ill.
Q. What attracted you to the Michigan wrestling program?
A. I loved the culture of the team and the coaching staff -- their goals aligned with my own. I have also wanted to go to Michigan since I was young.
Q. What is your earliest wrestling memory?
A. My earliest wrestling memory is winning my first youth tournament when I was 6. It was at Notre Dame High School near my house. I remember not wanting to go, but my parents forced me, and I ended up winning that day.
Q. What are your hobbies outside of wrestling?
A. My hobbies outside of wrestling are spending time with my friends, watching sports, and fishing.
Q. What are you excited about for the upcoming season?
A. I am super excited about competing and winning matches for Michigan this season and having my first experience on a college team.
Q. What is your biggest wrestling accomplishment to date?
A. My biggest wrestling accomplishment is winning an Illinois state title at Class 3A 120 pounds in 2024.
Q. How would you describe your wrestling style?
A. My wrestling style is centered around heavy hand-fighting and wearing my opponent down.
• Favorite athlete(s) of all time: Patrick Kane
• A food you think is overrated: Olives
• Guilty pleasure song: Crazy in Love by Beyonce
• Go-to post-match meal: Sushi
• Favorite TV show: The Office
• Favorite sport other than wrestling: College football
• Favorite ice cream flavor: Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby
• Superpower I would want: Teleportation
Zar Walker | 149 pounds | Mishawaka, Ind.
Q. What attracted you to the Michigan wrestling program?
A. The culture, fan base and tradition here are electric.
Q. What is your earliest wrestling memory?
A. My first year of wrestling, I won my city tournament.
Q. What are your hobbies outside of wrestling?
A. Outside of wrestling, I have hobbies such as cutting hair, drawing, and photography/videography.
Q. What are you excited about for the upcoming season?
A. One thing I'm most excited about is competing at Crisler.
Q. What is your biggest wrestling accomplishment to date?
A. I had a career record in high school of 154-17. Also, I got invited to wrestle at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Q. How would you describe your wrestling style?
A. My wrestling style is smooth, slick, offensive, and dominant.
• Favorite athlete(s) of all time: Christiano Ronaldo
• A food you think is overrated: Sushi and rare steak
• Guilty pleasure song: Honeybun by LeoStayTrill
• Go-to post-match meal: Pizza
• Favorite TV show: Suits
• Favorite sport other than wrestling: Soccer
• Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookies and cream
• Superpower I would want: Mind reading
