ARTICLES

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Sophomore Mason Parris captured the heavyweight crown to headline the No. 22-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team's performance at the 38th annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, which wrapped Saturday (Dec. 7) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Wolverines took 16th (37.5 points) behind the efforts of two placewinners and five point scorers.

Parris, the tournament's top seed and ranked second nationally by InterMat, used a pair of first-period takedowns to claim a 6-3 decision against Arizona State's sixth-ranked Tanner Hall in the championship match. The Wolverine captain struck on a single leg less than 20 seconds into the bout, scrambled to another takedown off a crotch-lock off a dump attempt and rode for 1:03 time advantage. Hall's best chance came on a low single shot in the final 30 seconds of the third. Parris scrambled out and ended the match in deep on a leg attack of his own.

Parris also earned a 6-1 decision over Nebraska's 12th-ranked Christian Lance in the morning semifinal round, similarly behind two first-period takedowns and 4:16 riding-time advantage.

Parris captured his first Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational crown in his first appearance at the annual tournament. He is Michigan's fourth CKLV champion in three years, joining Myles Amine (174, 2018), Alec Pantaleo (157, 2017) and Adam Coon (Hwt, 2017). Parris improved 15-0 on the season and boasts eight wins over nationally-ranked opposition.

Junior/sophomore Jelani Embree, seeded ninth at 184 pounds, settled for an eighth-place finish after winning his first consolation bout of the day then suffering an early first-period injury in his second and defaulting out of the tournament. Embree converted on takedowns in the first and second periods, including a slick duck under and rideout in the late opening frame, to defeat Minnesota's 19th-ranked Owen Webster, 5-2, to lock up his spot on the podium. He finished with a 4-2 record over two days.

Junior/sophomore Jack Medley and freshman Cole Mattin dropped decision losses in the day's first round of wrestlebacks to just miss out on placing in their CKLV debuts. Medley fell to Ohio State's Malik Heinselman, 7-3, after the Buckeye iced the bout with a late takedown. Mattin sacrificed a third-period lead in a 4-3 loss to Northern Iowa's Michael Blockhus, who finished on a takedown midway through the final frame and ride out for the win.

The Wolverines are done for the semester and will take a break from competition for final exams and the holidays before resuming dual-meet action on Sunday, Jan. 5 against Oregon State. The dual is slated for a 4 p.m. start at Cliff Keen Arena and it will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network. Tickets are still available through the U-M Ticket Office.