Cliff Keen WC welcomes NCAA champion Nathan Tomasello to its freestyle squad

Nathan Tomasello image by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors


ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Cliff Keen Wrestling Club has added NCAA champion and four-time All-American Nathan Tomasello to its senior-level freestyle roster, the club announced on Wednesday (Feb. 1). Tomasello, who most recently took second place at the 2021 U.S. World Team Trials, will compete internationally at 61kg this season.


"I have always had tremendous respect for Nathan," said Michigan head coach Sean Bormet, "and I am very excited to work with him more closely. He has all the characteristics that you want in your wrestling room -- a tenacious work ethic, coachability and eagerness to elevate those around him. He is a fierce competitor, has untapped areas to improve and excel in his freestyle wrestling and can absolutely reach all of his goals domestically and internationally. We're excited to get to work."


"I'm grateful for the opportunity to train again for the upcoming World Championships with the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club," said Tomasello. "With world-class coaches and partners, I just feel like it's the right timing for my athletic journey. I believe this is a great place for me to grow and develop. I'm excited to be in Ann Arbor and to get to work!"


One of the most decorated wrestlers in Ohio State history, Tomasello was an NCAA champion (2015) and four-time All-American at 125 and 133 pounds (2015-18), placing top three in all four of his NCAA appearances. He was also a four-time Big Ten champion, becoming just the 15th wrestler in conference history to win four titles.


He compiled a 118-8 collegiate record with 71 bonus wins, more than 60 percent of his career total. He posted a 16-2 record as a senior, including 11 ranked wins, and claimed his fourth Big Ten title and third at NCAAs while wrestling the entire season with a torn ACL. A four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Tomasello owns two degrees from Ohio State -- a bachelor's in kinesiology and a master's in sport management.


A two-time U.S. National Team member since his college graduation, Tomasello took second place at the 2021 U.S. World Team Trials at 61kg and third at the 2020 Olympic Team Trials at 57kg and owns a pair of top-three finishes at the U.S. Open (2017, '19). Internationally, he captured gold at the 2017 Ion Corneanu Memorial in Romania and silver at the 2017 Medved and 2020 Cerro Pelado.